Zurich Lymphedema & Lipedema Center

ANNOUNCEMENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lipedema Center opens September 2, 2024 a Dr Josef Stutz & Dr Mark Smith Dr. Fritz, Chief of Plastic Surgery opens the Lipedema Center for Lymphedema Research & Treatment, offering medically reconstructive lymph sparing liposuction for lipedema on September 2, 2024. Dr., one of the top expert surgeons from Germany, is visiting and assisting in bringing specialized treatment for lipedema to the USA. Viagra 100mg: Le médicament miracle qui a remis du piquant dans notre vie sexuelle et du bonheur dans notre mariage Dr. Smith is also Director of the newly established Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Center for Lymphedema Research & Treatment. In addition to treatment, the Center focuses on research in the areas of lymphedema, lipedema and the underlying fat metabolism that effects both conditions. Dr. Smith has received numerous Patients' Choice Awards, been included in Castle Connolly's list of Top Doctors in Plastic Surgery and New York Magazine's Best Doctors List, and recognized by his peers as one of the “Best Doctor’s in America” for the last 14 years. Kamagra 100mg - Alle dine spørsmål er besvart om denne kuren mot erektil dysfunksjon CLICK HERE for Infographic about lipedema -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You Mean It's Not My Fault: Lipoedema, A Fat Disorder (Preview) - a film by Catherine Seo

Welcome
Welcome to lipedema simplified. This website is a portal to information about a relatively common fat disorder that is often mistaken for simple obesity. The European spelling is lipoedema and both spellings are used interchangeably in documents posted on this website. If you have struggled with fat hips and legs and/or upper arms, and that fat would not go away despite diet and exercise, you may have lipedema.

After manifesting the symptoms for many years, and seeking answers from many specialists, I was misdiagnosed; knowledge about lipedema is almost non-existent in the US at this time. To deal with the painful fat and mobility issues, I had five surgeries which resulted in significant complications.

As one who has this disorder, I have great respect for my Primary Care Physician (PCP). He is kind, knowledgeable, and thorough. He has listened and worked with me to find a solution. He has supported my research and my journey. He has been willing to help me in coming up with treatment options.

Detailed information and studies for healthcare providers are also available on this website.   If you suspect you might have lipedema, direct your doctor, surgeon or endocrinologist here.

About Lipedema
The video below is a brief overview and description of lipedema by Karen L. Herbst, Ph.D., M.D. Dr. Herbst is an endocrinologist specializing in Rare Fat Disorders.

Dr. Karen Herbst introduces the world to the painful rare Adipose Disorder Lipedema.

What is lipedema?
Lipedema is a disorder of adipose tissue distinguished by five characteristics:
1) it can be inherited;
2) it occurs almost exclusively in women;
3) it can occur in women of all sizes, from the seriously underweight to the morbidly obese;
4) it involves the excess deposit and expansion of fat cells in an unusual and particular pattern – bilateral, symmetrical and usually from the waist to a distinct line just above the ankles; and
5) unlike the “normal” fat of obesity, lipedemic fat cannot be lost through diet and exercise.

Who is Affected?
Lipedema predominantly effects women only, though there are a few rare cases of it in men. Believed to be hormonal in nature, Lipedema usually is triggered at puberty, but can trigger or worsen during or after pregnancy, at peri-menopause, and following gynecological surgery or any surgery with anesthesia.

Estimates of the incidence of lipedema vary widely, and range as high as 11% of the post-puberty female population. That would mean close to 17 million women in the United States alone.

What does Lipedema Look Like?
Lipedema shows up primarily as disproportionately large, column-like legs. As lipedema progresses, patients become increasingly heavy in the lower body. The additional, expanding fat cells interfere with the pathways of lymphatic vessels, and patients can develop secondary lymphedema, a condition known as lipo-lymphedema. Lipedema fat can be very painful, and if not kept in check through a healthy lifestyle the condition can worsen, and patients can become progressively less mobile.

What Can Be Done?
This website attempts to explore just this question.

Poorly Understood Disease
If you have found this website, you are to be congratulated.  Until recently, very few have even heard of lipedema, especially in the United States. Lipedema is a poorly understood disease globally, but even more so in the United States; statistics show it is markedly under-diagnosed in this country. Lipedema is a painful fat disorder that, if untreated, can cause multiple health problems leading to immobility. The quality of life, emotionally and physically, for a lipedema patient often suffers because the disease is typically dismissed as simple obesity.

Lipedema fat cannot be exercised or even starved away. Lipedema is a disorder of adipose tissue that occurs almost exclusively in women; it has also been called "painful fat syndrome." (Although lipedema affects mostly women, there are a few cases that have been seen in men.) Typically there is abnormal bilateral and symmetrical swelling of the legs and hips that extends down towards the ankles where the fat forms a ring just above the ankle. This swelling is due to accumulations of fat and fluid in the tissues under the skin. Fatty bulges can be seen on the outer surfaces of the thighs and sometimes the upper arms are affected as well. Interestingly enough, the swelling often extends from the waist down, almost in a distinct line toward the ankles, with the feet remaining unaffected.

This disorder can be inherited; most cases gradually develop during puberty, although it may develop or worsen due to trauma, such as surgery, peri-menopause or pregnancy. Lipedema has been seen in morbidly obese people and in anorexic individuals. It may be possible to limit the effects of Lipedema, through careful weight management, if diagnosed early enough. There are estimates that put the incidence of lipedema as high as 11% of the adult female population which in the US is 17 million women.

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PLEASE NOTE: I continue to research lipededema/lipoedema and to update this website. I originally put this together to inform my Primary Care Physician, surgeon and other healthcare providers involved in my care in order to make available an easy and accessible way to reference relevant research. If you have any specific questions, feedback, suggestions for improvement, please feel free to contact me.
(21 September 2014)

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