Support with lipoedema

Lipoedema is a fat and connective tissue disorder that mainly affects women. It often starts around puberty or early adulthood, but can become worse at times of hormonal change such as pregnancy or menopause. The condition is not fully understood and research is ongoing to find out more about diagnosing and treating lipoedema. Anne can help with diagnosis of lipoedema, and with writing to your doctor.

How would I know if I have lipoedema?:

You have noticed changes in the shape of your legs and hips
Your upper body may be out of proportion to your lower body, with a slim waist and larger hips and bottom
Your legs may feel heavy and sore at times, and painful if pressed
You may notice bruising; women with lipoedema often have very soft skin that bruises easily
You may also develop oedema (extra fluid in tissues) if your veins and lymphatics do not work as effectively, particularly if you have difficulty moving around.

Some possible challenges for you:

Lipoedema is not well recognised and not always easy to diagnose;
At present there is no cure; treatments are based on managing and controlling lipoedema symptoms such as pain and swelling
Some women benefit from liposuction surgery to reduce the enlarged tissues, improve movement and pain; but surgery is not currently available on the NHS in the UK.
Lipoedema fat does not always respond to dieting but healthy eating is important in reducing inflammation in the body; more information is available from BANT
Some people find they put on extra weight which is difficult to lose, and psychologically challenging
Research evidence shows that some women with lipoedema can have problems with depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.

How can we help?

At Esklymphology we have a good understanding of lipoedema, and have been involved in supporting many women with lipoedema. We can:

Give you information about the condition and help you plan your next steps
Signpost you to NHS and other services where you can get support from people who understand the condition
Measure and fit you for compression garments, and provide treatments such as MLD and kinesiotaping
Help you learn more about how you can self-manage your lipoedema
Provide support and treatments before and after liposuction surgery.

Remember, you are not alone with lipoedema, and we are happy to talk with you on the telephone, do an online Zoom consultation, or see you for a one-to-one session.