04/11/2025
Let’s talk about how Lipedema presents underneath the skin.
The image on the left shows lipedema fat, do notice how it’s surrounded by a dense network of blood vessels, fluid, and connective tissue. This structure is what makes lipedema fat different from normal fat (right) that sits just on top of the muscle tissue.
Lipedema fat cells are often larger, inflamed, and fibrotic. They can trap fluid, impair circulation, and cause tenderness or pain to touch. This is why women with lipedema often experience swelling, heaviness, and easy bruising even when following a healthy diet or active lifestyle.
Understanding these structural differences helps explain why traditional weight loss methods don’t fully address lipedema. A calorie deficit - high protein and good fibrous food go a long way to managing lipedema progression but what we are starting to understand is how genetics, hormones and the environment all play a role in it’s development.
