Personalized care to help you understand and manage lipedema.
If you’ve noticed persistent pain, heaviness or swelling in your legs or arms that doesn’t improve with diet and exercise, lipedema may be the cause.
At Duly Health and Care, our Lipedema Clinic helps you better understand your symptoms and explore treatment options that fit your needs. From your initial evaluation to ongoing care, our team brings together medical and surgical expertise to help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
Call 1−630−790−1700 to schedule an initial consultation.
What Is Lipedema?
Lipedema is a chronic condition that causes an abnormal buildup of fatty tissue, most commonly in the hips, thighs and legs, and sometimes the arms. Unlike typical body fat, lipedema tissue may be painful or tender to the touch and often doesn’t respond to diet and exercise in the same way.
Lipedema occurs primarily in women and often affects both sides of the body equally, typically without affecting the hands or feet. It can run in families and may develop or become more noticeable during hormonal changes, including puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
Because lipedema shares symptoms with other conditions, including obesity and lymphedema, it can be difficult to identify. An evaluation with a knowledgeable provider can help determine what’s causing your symptoms and which treatments may help.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Lipedema
Lipedema can look and feel different from person to person. Common symptoms include:
Disproportionate fat buildup
Legs, hips or arms that appear larger compared to the rest of your body.
Pain or tenderness
Aching, sensitivity or discomfort when affected areas are touched.
Easy bruising
Bruises that develop with minimal pressure or injury.
Heaviness or fatigue
A persistent feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the legs.
Symmetrical changes
Similar enlargement in both legs or arms, while the hands and feet remain relatively unaffected.
Changes in skin texture
Skin that feels soft, uneven or lumpy beneath the surface.
Resistance to weight loss
Affected areas that change very little despite diet, exercise or overall weight loss.
Swelling
Swelling that may become more noticeable as the condition progresses.
You don’t need to experience every symptom to have lipedema. If several of these signs sound familiar, an evaluation can help you better understand what’s happening.
Lipedema vs. Obesity vs. Lymphedema
Lipedema, obesity and lymphedema can cause similar changes in the body, but each condition has different characteristics. Understanding these differences can help you recognize when it’s time to seek an evaluation.
Lipedema
Lipedema causes a disproportionate buildup of fatty tissue, typically affecting both legs or arms equally while sparing the hands and feet. Affected areas are often painful or tender, bruise easily and show limited changes with weight loss.
Obesity
Obesity involves excess body fat that may accumulate throughout the body, including the abdomen, arms and legs. Unlike lipedema, the fatty tissue itself is not typically painful or prone to bruising, and body fat generally decreases with weight loss.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid builds up in the body’s tissues, causing swelling in one or more limbs. Unlike lipedema, it can affect the hands and feet and may cause feelings of heaviness, tightness or discomfort. Swelling typically requires targeted treatment rather than weight loss alone.
It’s possible to have more than one of these conditions at the same time. Our team can help identify what’s contributing to your symptoms and recommend appropriate care.
Learn more about obesity care at Duly.
What to Expect at Duly’s Lipedema Clinic
Your care begins with an evaluation to better understand your symptoms, health history and goals. From there, we’ll help you determine the next steps.
- Schedule your initial consultation. Call 1−630−790−1700 to request an appointment with Silvana Perri, PA‑C.
- Complete a comprehensive evaluation. We’ll review your symptoms, medical and family history, previous treatments and any changes you’ve noticed. Your evaluation will also include a physical examination and may include measurements or photographs.
- Explore your treatment options. Based on your evaluation, we’ll develop a personalized care plan that may include supportive therapies, weight management or a consultation with a Duly surgical specialist.
- Stay connected with your care team. Because lipedema is a chronic condition, ongoing care can help you manage symptoms, monitor changes and adjust treatment as your needs evolve.
Lipedema Treatment Options
While there is currently no cure for lipedema, treatments can help manage symptoms, support mobility and improve quality of life.
Your Duly care team will work with you to determine which options are appropriate based on your symptoms, overall health and personal goals.
Conservative and Supportive Care
Non-surgical treatments can help relieve discomfort, support circulation and maintain mobility. Your care plan may include:
- Compression garments to help manage swelling and discomfort
- Low-impact physical activity, including walking, swimming or cycling
- Nutrition guidance to support overall health
- Skin care and other symptom-management strategies
- Physical therapy or specialized lymphedema therapy, when appropriate
Medical Weight Management
Some patients with lipedema also experience obesity or other weight-related health concerns. Although weight loss does not specifically eliminate lipedema fat, managing excess weight can help reduce joint strain, improve mobility and support long-term health.
Duly offers comprehensive weight management services, including medical weight loss and medication management and bariatric surgery, when appropriate.
Surgical Treatment Options
For some patients, surgical treatment may help address symptoms or concerns related to lipedema.
Our plastic and reconstructive surgery team can evaluate whether procedures such as liposuction may be appropriate. Depending on your needs, additional body contouring procedures, including a panniculectomy, belt lipectomy, thigh lift or arm lift, may be considered to address excess skin.
Your surgeon will discuss available options, expected outcomes, potential risks and recovery considerations to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lipedema
How is lipedema diagnosed?
Lipedema is typically diagnosed through a review of your medical history, symptoms and a physical examination. Your provider will evaluate the distribution of fatty tissue, areas of tenderness and other symptoms to help distinguish lipedema from conditions such as obesity or lymphedema.
What kind of doctor treats lipedema?
Lipedema care may involve several types of healthcare providers, depending on your symptoms and treatment needs. At Duly, your care begins with an evaluation by Silvana Perri, PA‑C. When appropriate, you may be referred to specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery, obesity medicine or bariatric surgery.
Can lipedema be treated with diet and exercise?
Healthy eating and regular movement are important for overall health and can help support mobility, manage weight and reduce physical discomfort. However, lipedema fat often does not respond to diet and exercise in the same way as other body fat. Additional treatments may be recommended to help manage symptoms.
Is lipedema painful?
Many people with lipedema experience tenderness, aching, heaviness or sensitivity to pressure in affected areas. The severity of symptoms varies, and some people experience more discomfort than others.
Is surgery an option for lipedema?
Surgery may be an option for some patients, depending on their symptoms, overall health and treatment goals. A surgical evaluation can help determine whether a procedure may be beneficial and what outcomes you can reasonably expect.
Can weight loss medications or bariatric surgery treat lipedema?
Weight loss medications and bariatric surgery can help manage obesity and related health conditions, but they do not specifically eliminate lipedema fat. For patients who have both lipedema and obesity, weight management may be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Is lipedema hereditary?
Lipedema frequently occurs in families, suggesting a possible genetic connection. However, its exact causes are not yet fully understood.
Will insurance cover my lipedema evaluation and treatment?
Insurance coverage varies based on your individual plan and the services recommended. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider before your appointment to understand your benefits, potential out-of-pocket costs and any authorization requirements.
How do I schedule a lipedema consultation?
Call 1−630−790−1700 to schedule an initial consultation with Silvana Perri, PA‑C. Our team can help you get started.
Take the First Step Toward Understanding Your Symptoms
If persistent pain, heaviness or changes in your legs or arms are affecting your daily life, our team is here to help. Schedule an evaluation to better understand your symptoms and explore treatment options that work for you.
