Lipedema and cellulite appear to be very similar to one another, as both can cause your skin to dimple and become uneven, sometimes referred to as a mattress appearance.
It can make the legs look like columnar trunks, or lumpy. Deposits of fat can also appear just below the knee. Fat feels abnormal and painful. Unlike normal fat accumulation, fat areas resulting from lipedema tend to be very tender if you apply pressure and may be easy to bruise.
Conclusion. Lipedema and cellulite are two different conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Lipedema is a chronic disorder that causes abnormal fat accumulation, while cellulite is a cosmetic concern caused by fat cells pushing against the connective tissue beneath the skin.
Obesity is the result of being overweight, which can cause fat to develop in the legs. Lipedema is the disproportionate setting of fat in arms and legs, unrelated to body weight, often associated with prominent swelling, common pain, and a column-like look. Lipedema can appear in both thin and obese individuals alike.
Lipedema is often confused with lymphedema, a similar disease that also causes swelling in the limbs. But under the microscope, the two disorders look different, and the causes, while similar, involve different effects on the vasculature. Both are often confused with obesity.
A helpful diagnostic tool to distinguish lipedema from lymphedema is to pinch the skin over the dorsum of the base of the second toe (Stemmer sign); thickened skin that is difficult to lift off of the underlying tissue is considered diagnostic for lymphedema.
Stage 1. In this early stage, it may be difficult to distinguish lipedema from excess fat on the lower body. Instead, providers look for certain characteristics, including: Extra fat in the buttocks, thighs, and calves, but not in the ankles or feet.
Fat accumulation can cause the legs to look lumpy or like columns. You may also notice fat deposits below your knees. Fat legs can feel abnormal and even painful. Lipedema, which is a form of fat accumulation, can make fat areas feel unusually tender.
Liposuction is the only treatment available to lipedema patients that eliminates the troublesome fat deposits from the legs, hips, buttocks, stomach, and/or arms. Liposuction enables doctors to improve the look of the legs and restore better mobility for the long-term.
Causes. The exact cause of lipoedema isn't known but it may be caused by changes in your hormones: during puberty.
Genetics, sex, age, the amount of fat on your body and your skin's thickness determine how much cellulite you have and how visible it is. As you age, your skin loses elasticity and can make the appearance of cellulite more evident. Gaining weight can also make the appearance of cellulite more prominent.
There's no specific test for lipoedema. The main sign is fat deposits on both sides of your body. These are out of proportion with the rest of your build, particularly on your buttocks and thighs. The fat can feel lumpy and be painful to touch.
Weight loss will occur from the upper part of the body, but absolutely minimal improvement will occur from the areas below the waist affected with Lipoedema. Attempts at weight loss will often only exacerbate the disproportion between upper and lower body.
Stage 2 (moderate lipoedema): fat bulges or lobes are more obvious at the knees and may influence gait. Arms and abdomen may be affected. Lipomas (small nodules) may be felt in the fat. Chronic pain may develop.
Lipedema fat is very difficult to correct by yourself. Even if you eat well and exercise frequently, you will struggle to achieve slimmer legs on your own. Fortunately, we can reduce your discomfort and improve your lower body by providing you with liposuction.
Lifestyle Changes. A heart-healthy diet may help slow the progression of lipedema, especially if you learn about your condition early on. Exercise, especially swimming, biking and walking, are helpful for mobility and to reduce swelling.
Aerobic exercises such as swimming, walking and cycling are especially recommended because they increase lymphatic drainage and improve blood flow through the affected limbs. High impact exercising (i.e. jogging, step-aerobics) or contact sports are better avoided as they may exacerbate join pain and lead to bruising.
As fat cells increase, they push up against the skin. Tough, long connective cords pull down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling, often referred to as cellulite. Cellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen.
Lipedema almost exclusively occurs in women, with the onset typically by the third decade of life. The classic appearance of lipedema includes bilateral and symmetrical involvement of the lower extremities, with sparing of the feet (Fig.
Types of lipedema
It often covers the pelvis and buttocks. Type II: The fat is around the pelvis and down to the knees. Type III: The fat begins at the pelvis and continues down to the ankles. A person with this stage may have a prominent cuff of fat at the ankle.
Common signs. Lipedema: The affected limbs are often tender, sensitive, or painful. The affected area feels different from normal body fat: it feels cooler, softer, and can appear dimpled like orange-peel. Obesity: No specific signs, especially no pain.