Lipedema should not define you. Redefine your normal with Lipedema Treatments in our Vancouver clinic!
At Premier Lipedema Clinic, we’re committed to overcoming barriers to care, ensuring that every patient in Vancouver can get lipedema treatments and the first-rate care they rightfully deserve.
Elevate Your Quality of Live
01
Heal From the Inside
Lessen Inflammation & Promote Lymphatic Flow
02
Revitalize Body & Mind
Strengthen Your Physical & Emotional Well-Being
03
Strategies for Alleviating Pain
Manage Discomfort and Pain Through Surgical & Non-Invasive Methods
What Is Lipedema?
Recognize the Signs & Symptoms of Lipedema
The fat cells (adipocytes) only in the hips/buttocks and legs (and sometimes in the arms) increase in number and size – becoming 8-10 times their normal size. To support this extra size and weight, the connective tissue between the muscles and the skin gradually becomes thicker, harder and bigger adding even more weight and size to the body. All fat cells in the body are sensitive to estrogen. As a result, the condition becomes more active after a change in estrogen such as during menarche, after a pregnancy and even at menopause; but, for unknown reasons it affects the fat in the extremities more than the abdomen.
The disorder progresses with time despite valiant and even extreme measures to lose weight, and for reasons still unknown, the abnormal fat cells remain that way indefinitely. Many women with lipedema report being told by their doctor to simply “eat less and exercise more” to treat the fat in the hips and legs. Some patients have faithfully tried in excess of 10 to 20 different diets, even becoming an inpatient at a weight loss facility, in order to shrink the fat – only to end up gaining more weight.
Women with lipedema report that their extremities feel cool to touch all the time and they become tired very easily. This is not due to being “out of shape” – in fact lipedema patients are usually quite active, healthy and exercise regularly. Instead as the condition progresses, the added tissue and significant weight in the legs causes fatigue and lack of energy. In addition, the added weight and altered bony alignment causes knee and hip joints to wear out earlier in life, restricting mobility and exposing the woman to other serious conditions.
Most women with lipedema tend to be quite limber. Their joints are more mobile and extend more. Obesity prevents such flexibility. Patients with lipedema can reach behind their backs and often touch the floor in ways that many other women cannot.
Women with lipedema rarely have any water swelling in the legs (lymphedema). However the swelling and disproportionate size of their legs are very commonly misdiagnosed as lymphedema. “Water pills” do not work and the swelling/increased size does not change significantly whether standing, sitting or lying down. This is because the “swelling” is due to persistent, abnormal fat cells rather than water/fluid in the legs.
Lipedema patients also report the onset of chronic, continuous pain in the affected limbs that can sometimes be severe. This pain may occur with something minor such as a toddler sitting on the lap, a cat walking across the leg or a slight bump into a corner of wall – even causing an unexpected bruise. As the disorder progresses, pain can occur with light touch, walking, standing and even at rest – to the point that the pain never goes away. For this reason, some people have called this “Painful Fat Syndrome”.
Invest In You
There’s no time better than now to begin investing in yourself. You don’t have to endure pain or discomfort—we have solutions. Our clinic serving Vancouver for lipedema treatments, surgeries and liposuction can help. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation. We’re here to support you.
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