Hope for Those With Lipedema

I strive to write weight loss articles for all people regardless of age, gender, etc. However, today’s post is specifically written for those who suffer with rare adipose tissue disorders, such as lipedema (NOT to be confused with lymphedema). Whether you have never heard of this condition or suspect you have it, keep reading!

Lipedema is a genetic condition believed to effect at least 15% of women. It is characterized by disproportionate distribution of body fat to the butt and thighs (and sometimes calves). Many people call it “painful fat syndrome” because the fatty accumulations are very sensitive to touch and pressure. It’s typical onset is puberty, and the fat itself is resistant to diet and exercise. Interestingly, lipedema is unlike normal fat deposits. The fatty tissue floats when the body is submerged in water, unlike normal fatty tissue. Additionally, it has less circulatory activity, making it susceptible to “holding on to the cold” even when the body is taken into a warm place following a walk in wintery weather. Observers and sufferers alike often refer to the appearance of the legs as “tree trunks”. Individuals in lipedema are often also diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos hypermobility syndrome .

When I learned that the extra fat on my hips, butt, and thighs (and the frames of the vast majority of my female family members) was attributed to this untreatable condition, I was both relieved and devastated… relieved that my struggles with weight loss were not just due to my lack of willpower, but devastated in what felt like lifelong sentence to live in a fat suit. The only approved treatment is liposuction, which is expensive and not covered by insurance. Often, it takes multiple liposuction treatments, as the condition progressively worsens over time and can lead to more serious medical challenges.

There is a great debate over the best diet for this condition, but I can attest that a vegan diet is by far the best option to slow the progression of lipedema. From the time the fat accumulation began on my pear shaped body, I experienced pain when walking or running. I would describe the pain as being located in the fat tissue and caused by the vibration of each step I took. However, as I’ve switched to a vegan diet high in anti-inflammatory vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, etc.; this pain in the tissue is nearly gone. I strongly believe that my dietary choices (high fiber, high water content, high nutrient density, loads of antioxidants, and strict avoidance of inflammatory foods such as dairy, etc.) have prevented me from progressing to the next stages of lipedema. Stage 2 is characterized as the fat from the thigh beginning to hang over the knee, and this has never happened to me in my 20 years since puberty (nearly all of them vegetarian, and the past 12 vegan!). Others my age have already typically seen their lipedema move to stage 2 by this point.

Over the past 12 years as a vegan, I gained about 20 pounds of weight in my arms and belly areas due to excessive enjoyment of vegan junk foods, stressful work conditions, and pregnancy. I am slowly but surely losing this weight now with a clean, whole food plants based diet. This diet has slowed the progression of my lipedema, and is advocated by experts on the topic such as Chuck Ehrlich (see below). I accept that the stubborn lipedema fat that makes me extremely pear shaped may not come off my body without surgical intervention, but I am motivated to lose the non-lipedema fat in order to reduce the risks of disease associated with being overweight/obese, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancers.

2025 Update!

In February of 2025, I designed a 180 Day Lipedema Fat Reduction protocol, which has become the focus of this blog and my social media presence! Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for updates on my weight loss while following this unique diet plan, supplement regime, and intense therapy.

Click “LipedemaVegan eBooks” on the top of this page for my helpful resources to get you started on a lipedema-slowing vegan diet today! Information on my protocol will be released via social media channels first, then via a comprehesive downloadable resource!