If you have been struggling with excess fat accumulation on your legs, stomach, or stubborn fat pockets that do not go away no matter what you do, you may be looking for answers. Many people who do some research find information about a condition called lipedema and end up asking themselves, “Do I have lipedema, or am I just overweight?”
The confusion between lipedema vs. obesity is very common because both conditions involve the accumulation of extra fat and weight gain. They are not the same, and knowing the difference is the first step toward getting the right kind of treatment to alleviate your discomfort and improve your health.
Today, we are going to give you some information that will explain the difference between the two, so you will know what type of medical intervention to seek.
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What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition where fat builds up in certain areas of the body, normally your legs, hips, and sometimes your arms. It affects women the most and often starts manifesting during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause because it is believed that the condition is influenced by an imbalance of hormones.
The type of fat that builds up with lipedema is not the same as regular body fat, and It can feel soft or jiggly, bruise easily, and it can often cause pain or be tender to the touch. If this sounds familiar or you have excess fat on your legs, you may be wondering, “Do I have lipedema or just fat legs?”
You may be able to determine the answer if you look at how the fat on your legs is distributed and how it feels. Lipedema fat usually makes your lower body look out of proportion compared to your upper body, but it normally does not affect your feet, so it can cause your ankles to be “hidden”, which is a condition often called “cankles.”
How Do Lipedema vs. Obesity Differ?
One of the reasons it can be so confusing telling the difference between these two conditions is that they both can cause the buildup of extra fat and weight gain, but they are not caused by the same thing. Obesity occurs when your body stores too much extra fat in areas all over your body because of unhealthy eating habits, a lack of exercise, or underlying health problems.
Lipedema is a disorder that involves the way your body stores fat, and it normally does not respond well to diet or exercise. This can be very frustrating to those who are under the impression they are overweight and are looking to traditional methods to eliminate this excess fat. If you have been working hard to lose weight but your legs or arms continue to stay the same size, you might be dealing with lipedema and not just fat.
Fat that Accumulates due to Lipedema
- Makes your skin look doughy.
- Is usually painful and tender to the touch.
- The areas of fat tend to bruise very easily.
- Fat builds up in specific areas like the legs, stomach, and arms but does not affect the feet.
- Normally makes your legs swell and feel heavy.
Fat that Accumulates due to Obesity
- Is not painful.
- The accumulated fat is evenly distributed throughout different parts of your body.
- Can affect your comfort and mobility due to the total size of your body but does not cause the other symptoms associated with lipedema.
- Can cause serious metabolic conditions like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
What Is Lymphedema?
Many people also confuse lipedema vs. lymphedema, but they are completely different, but one can lead to the other. Lymphedema is actually swelling that happens when fluid builds up in your body because your lymph system is not working the right way.
This naturally built-in lymph function is like a drainage system that helps your body get rid of waste and extra fluid. If it gets blocked or damaged, the fluid cannot drain properly and begins to collect in your arms, legs, or even your belly, causing swelling, heaviness, tight skin, and sometimes pain.
Lymphedema can be triggered after surgery, an injury, or even cancer treatment, and lipedema can lead to lymphedema if left untreated.
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What Is The Best Treatment For Lipedema vs. Obesity?
Best Treatment for Lipedema
Lipedema is a fat disorder that currently does not have a complete cure and cannot be treated with diet and exercise alone. Some of the treatments used to manage symptoms, slow its progression, and improve quality of life include:
- Compression therapy: This involves wearing special garments that help reduce swelling and provide support for the tissue in the affected area.
- Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD): This is a type of gentle massage that helps move fluid out of the swollen areas.
- Lipedema surgery: This is a special lipedema liposuction procedure that is performed by a specialist to remove the abnormal fat.
- Exercise and movement: Non-strenuous exercise like low-impact activities like walking or swimming can help your circulation.
- Anti-inflammatory diet: Eating the right foods can help reduce inflammation and help ease the symptoms caused by lipedema as well as boost your immune system and improve your health.
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Most individuals require a blend of lipedema treatments that involves a mix of different therapies and ongoing care performed by specialists who understand both lymphatic conditions and fat disorders. Unfortunately, right now there is no solid cure for lipedema, but treatment can help slow it down, manage pain, and improve your quality of life. Some people benefit from specialized massage, compression therapy, or even surgery. If you are wondering, Do I have lipedema, or am I just overweight? Now is the time to find out so you can get the help you need.
Best Treatment for Obesity
Obesity is an accumulation of too much body fat that can result from overeating, a lack of activity, or chronic medical issues. Treating obesity focuses on reducing your total body weight and improving your health. Common treatments include:
- Diet and lifestyle changes: Making healthy changes to your lifestyle including consuming fewer calories, choosing healthy foods, avoiding processed foods, getting enough sleep, staying well hydrated, managing stress, and staying active to ensure you get enough exercise.
- Getting Help From Professionals: Many people have underlying conditions that the traditional methods of diet and exercise are unable to overcome. Experts like Dr. Steven Batash can help identify these issues and determine the best treatment that will help them finally reach a healthy weight. Some of these treatments include:
- Medications: like weight loss pills or injections like GLP-1 medications (such as Wegovy or Zepbound), which help people lose weight by controlling their appetite, balancing their blood sugar, and helping them to feel satisfied for a longer time.
- Endoscopic weight loss procedures:
- Suture Sculpt Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), which is done to reduce the size of your stomach without surgery or long recovery times.
- Gastric Balloons, which take up a significant amount of space in your stomach on a temporary basis to help you stay feeling full, eat less, and lose weight.
- Surgery (in some cases): Depending on the extent of the obesity, gastric bypass or a more invasive surgery may be necessary.
Where To Find Professional Help With Obesity
There is no need to continue to struggle to lose weight on your own when Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Centers is here to help you navigate your way to better health. If you are tired of guessing and want real help from a doctor who listens, schedule a consultation with Dr. Batash today. It is time to stop wondering and start understanding your body. Lipedema and obesity are not the same, and knowing the truth and understanding the difference between the two can change everything.
The team of expert professionals at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Centers will create a plan that is tailored to your needs and circumstances so your efforts will create results and you will no longer be frustrated. After speaking with you during your consultation, we will have a good understanding of the weight loss struggles you have encountered in the past and can help determine their underlying causes. We will provide you access to the knowledge and tools you need to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Set up a consultation today to learn more about how we can help you achieve sustainable weight loss.
FAQs About Lipedema and Weight Loss
Can Lipedema Go Away With Weight Loss?
Unfortunately, lipedema fat usually stays put regardless of any weight loss, which is one of the main ways to tell the difference between lipedema vs. obesity. People with obesity often see changes in every area of their body when they lose weight, but people with lipedema may only see areas in their upper body losing fat.
Will Ozempic Help with Lipedema?
Ozempic can help people lose weight, but it probably will not work well for lipedema fat alone. This is because lipedema is not just about eating too many extra calories but more about an imbalance of different hormones. It may help some patients if they have both lipedema and obesity.
What Is The Pinch Test For Lipedema?
Some doctors use a pinch test to check for lipedema. If the area is very tender and soft when pinched and easy to bruise, it is probably caused by lipedema.
Is Lipedema Fat Jiggly?
Yes. One of the most prominent signs of lipedema is fat that feels loose and jiggly, even if you eat healthy and are otherwise fit.
How To Tell If Legs Are Swollen Or Just Fat?
Swollen legs often feel heavy, with tight skin, which may mark easily if you press into it. Fat feels much softer and does not usually swell during the day. If you are experiencing swelling that gradually gets worse or leaves indentations when touched, it could be more than just fat.
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