Lipedema Blog

Each year the country stops and takes a month to give more awareness to lipedema and those who have been diagnosed with it. June has been designated as Lipedema Awareness Month and has been observed for several years now. Take a look at what you should know about his important month each year: History of Lipedema When observing Lipedema Awareness Month, it is important to understand the start of lipedema itself. Lipedema was first recognized in 1940 by Mayo Clinic physicians Dr. Edgar Hines and Dr. Edgar Allen. They specifically

Before you start looking for more invasive treatments to help reduce the symptoms of your lipedema, you should start with conservative steps. Your nutrition plays a key factor in maintaining some symptoms of lipedema. We recommend following a Rare Adipose Disorder (RAD) diet. This type of diet is actually a modification to a standard Mediterranean diet that helps you maintain a low glycemic index. In order to do this, it is recommended that you avoid any refined or processed starches and sugars. These are usually found in pasta, rice, bread,

One of the most common symptoms of lipedema that is observed in all stages is swelling. This symptom is due to an increased amount of extracellular water causing the swelling. This extracellular water is lymphatic fluid that contains hundreds of inflammatory compounds that are responsible for fibrosis that drives the progression of lipedema. The increase of water will only increase with each further stage. One of the most frequently recommended forms of care for swelling and pain is wearing compression garments. This step in our multidisciplinary approach is typically recommended

Lipedema and Lymphedema Webinar: Mythbusting and Case Controversies   Join this lively and interactive discussion with Dr. Wright and other experts!   Jun 11, 2020 08:00 PM   Watch Seminar Here

When dealing with the effects of lipedema, your body can also feel the repercussions of direct impact to your lymphatic and venous circulation system. Both systems together help the body create lymph. Venous disorders like venous hypertension and venous reflux impact these combined systems to create excess lymph production. Having an overwhelmed production can lead to overloaded lymphatic circulation. Both the venous system and our lymphatic circulation utilize passive contractions to clear this fluid from our limbs. Lymphatic Issues Occurring with Lipedema Our lymphatic system has several key jobs to

Living with lipedema and lymphedema can be difficult and impose limitations of your daily life. These disorders stem from impaired lymphatic systems that are unable to have proper drainage that in turn create difficult symptoms to live with. You may know that lipedema mostly impacts the legs and bottom half of the body due to this lymphatic system impairment. Fortunately, symptoms of both lipedema and lymphedema can be treated with a variety of relief methods. More severe symptoms can be targeted with complete decongestive therapy, also known as CDT. This

Getting an initial diagnosis for Lipedema is typically time-consuming, challenging, and emotionally draining. Why? Because the misdiagnosis starts from a very early age and comes from those closest to us, and even from the patient themselves. Those of us suffering from Lipedema commonly hear phrases like, “You’re just big-boned,” or, “You have a pear shape, it’s just your body.” Family members are quick to suggest that larger bodies or a specific body shape run in the family, and there’s not much we can do about it. While the assertion is

We miss you and can’t wait to see you again soon… We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on how we will proceed with seeing patients.  First, it is important to understand that while St. Charles County has authorized the re-opening of most businesses, this is not a green light to go back to “business and usual” and disregard safety measures such as observing social distancing rules, staying six feet apart, wearing a mask, hand washing, and other safety protocols. Our plan is to resume patient

As you may have noticed, the healthcare industry has been turned upside down by the sudden onset of COVID-19. Several businesses that are deemed non-essential have temporarily closed their doors until further notice, while others are available only for emergency or essential procedures. This can include many places where you can seek relief for your lipedema symptoms. Fortunately, there a few at-home exercises and measures you can take to manage your symptoms of lipedema. Lipedema Exercises There a several different low impact exercises you can try at home to manage

Still unsure if you have Lipedema? Worried about all the unknowns of seeking treatment? You’re not alone! Meet Cat, one of Dr. Wright’s patients who travels from Austin, Texas to St. Louis to complete her five scheduled lipedema surgeries. Cat is a writer, women’s health advocate, and has a passion for documenting her journey and helping other women through it. As long as she can remember, Cat has struggled with her weight. She was never considered an obese child or teen, was active in sports from a young age, and