Lipedema Blog

June is Lipedema Awareness month, one in which the Lipedema community focuses (even more than usual) on how to reach women who have lived with this painful and distressing disease. While we’ve seen great strides in awareness, insurance coverage, and slightly greater recognition of this disease in the medical community, we continue to fight an uphill battle as women are underdiagnosed or completely dismissed when discussing their struggles and side effects with their providers. As a result, our team has put together some of the most important and impactful information

As we ring in the new year, the world continues to create find new normals in a pandemic as the coronavirus variants keep us on our toes. As we now well know, people of any age and gender can be infected with COVID-19, but there are a number of conditions that make individuals more likely to get severely ill from the virus. New research has shown that the risk of severe COVID-19 increases as the number of underlying medical conditions increases in a person and that individuals with an increased

Fall has arrived and with the cold weather looming you may be wondering what you can eat that can be both fulfilling and anti-inflammatory for your lipedema care. It’s easy to learn what you should and shouldn’t eat but sometimes hard to stick to it without the background knowledge of why. Knowing the why can help you make the best decisions for yourself and maybe incorporate some things that you may not have thought of before.    Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet It is recommended to follow the RAD diet (or Rare

Before you start looking for more invasive treatments to help reduce the symptoms of your lipedema, there are a few tools you have right at home, and every little bit helps! Your nutrition plays a key factor in how and when your body experiences edema (swelling), and a large player in this experience is in response to the food you eat. Learn how to reduce lipedema swelling below! Reduce Discomfort with Compression Garments! Click Here! The Rare Adipose Disorder Diet (AKA RAD Diet) Dr. Wright recommends following a Rare Adipose

When dealing with the effects of lipedema, your body can also feel the repercussions of direct impact on 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. As a result, our team has put together some of the most important

There’s nothing more satisfying and exciting for Dr. Wright and his team at Laser Lipo & Vein Center than celebrating patient wins! One of our favorite patients, Rita, spent her time in quarantine focused on getting through her lipedema surgeries, recovering safely at home, and both she and our team couldn’t be happier with her results! Rita’s experience is proof that Lipedema surgery can transform patient experiences as they walk through life (literally!) from pain and immobility to pain-free progress!  Rita has undergone three Lipedema surgeries on her legs and

When it comes to Lipedema Insurance Coverage and reimbursements, there truly is no black-and-white procedure or practice for getting the healthcare you need and deserve. It’s common for patients to assume their health insurance provider will fulfill their obligation to cover important claims, especially when dealing with vital or preventative healthcare treatments. But sadly, this reality becomes a nightmare for many women seeking life-changing treatment for their lifetime suffering from Lipedema.  What is Lipedema?  Lipedema is a subcutaneous fat disorder that primarily affects the extremities (legs, arms). Its progression is

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

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

Still unsure if you have Lipedema? Worried about all the unknowns of seeking treatment? You’re not alone! Meet Cat, one of the numerous women with lipedema, Dr. Wright’s patient who travels from Austin, Texas to St. Louis to complete her five scheduled lipedema surgeries. Cat is a writer, a 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