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Do you suffer from lipedema or do you at least suspect it? This chronic fat distribution disorder primarily affects women and is characterised by a disproportionate accumulation of fatty tissue on the legs and often also on the arms.
It can lead to considerable physical and psychological stress. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner you can start a treatment tailored to you.
At LIPOCURA®, we know and understand the stress that lipedema patients face every day. In the following, we would like to give you an understanding of the condition of stage 2 lipedema and introduce you to suitable treatment methods.
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Table of contents
Stage 2 lipedema is characterised by a marked increase in fatty tissue in the extremities, often also in the buttocks and hips. The characteristic “pillar leg” shape becomes more prominent. Compared to stage 1, the subcutaneous fat tissue in stage 2 is denser, more nodular and the unevenness of the skin increases.
Many affected women suffer both from the progressive discomfort, such as tenderness and pain, and from the increasing change in body silhouette. For example, some experience restrictions in mobility, an unpleasant rubbing of the legs against each other, but also insecurity and feelings of shame. Many of those affected feel misunderstood and left alone by those around them, as lipedema, even in its advanced stages, is often mistaken for “normal” overweight.
The appearance as well as the respective symptoms of lipedema can vary from patient to patient. In the second stage, the disease is already visible externally and can cause significant discomfort.
This is what stage 2 lipedema can look like:
Why lipedema develops is not yet fully understood. However, various factors are associated with the disease and can be named as triggers. These include hormonal changes (e.g. during puberty or pregnancy), emotional stress and genetic predisposition.
It is often assumed – incorrectly – that progression of lipedema is caused by lack of exercise or poor diet. In reality, however, many lipedema patients are very active in sports, as far as they are able, because certain types of sports are part of the conservative lipedema therapy. They live a healthy life and sometimes also with a consistent low-calorie diet, and yet the weight stays the same or there is only a loss of weight on the upper part of the body. In the worst case, weight gain occurs.
Self-infliction of the disease can be clearly excluded!
The symptoms of stage 2 lipedema go beyond those of stage 1. Even though the diagnosis is somewhat easier to make in this case, it also means increased discomfort for the affected person and thus restrictions in their everyday life. Symptoms include:
Symptoms may vary from person to person. While some patients already have clear symptoms in the first stage, for others these only develop further in stage 2. In any case, you should have a professional diagnosis made by a specialist in order to counteract further progression of the disease with appropriate treatment.
Do you suffer from lipedema? Find out!
What does advanced lipedema actually look like? You have probably already asked yourself this question, whether you are looking for the first clues or already have a definite diagnosis. Of course, the symptoms and the appearance of the disease vary from patient to patient. Nevertheless, many lipedema sufferers have similarities. Here we show you what this can look like:
At LIPOCURA® we have made it our unconditional mission to help affected women find a new zest for life with a holistic treatment. The journey begins with an initial diagnostic consultation, followed by tips and tricks for everyday life, as well as a lipedema treatment that is closely tailored to you. We have already been able to give many of our patients new self-confidence and greatly reduce or even completely eliminate complaints.
Some of our patients with stage 2 lipedema report on their experiences in our LIPOBLOG. Please feel free to take a look:
Testimonial
The diagnosis of lipedema is usually made by a phlebologist (vein doctor) or specialists who specialise in lipedema. In principle, the general practitioner can make a diagnosis, provided he or she is familiar with the clinical picture.
The diagnosis of grade II lipedema can be made in different ways:
Every diagnostic consultation usually begins with a question about existing symptoms and possible previous illnesses. Do you experience pain, frequent bruising or increased sensations of pressure and cold? Are there other known cases of lipedema in your family?
The probability of stage 2 lipedema can often be recognised at a glance by a trained eye. Visible symptoms such as disproportionate fat deposits and thickened joints can provide information.
Since lipedema in the second stage in many cases already causes clear discomfort when touched or pressure is applied, an examination by external palpation is a revealing method to detect lipedema. The so-called pinch test, in which the skin is lightly pinched in various places, usually causes pain in an advanced lipedema, whereas a healthy person would not experience any discomfort.
During an ultrasound examination, the specialist takes a closer look at the fatty tissue and checks this for structural changes and measures the fat thickness. This facilitates the subsequent treatment planning.
If we determine that you have stage 2 lipedema – or other stages – we will be happy to discuss your further treatment options in the next step.
The treatment of advanced stage 2 lipedema usually involves a combination of conservative measures and, if necessary, surgery. Treatment methods such as:
Conservative therapy includes non-surgical measures that can help to alleviate the symptoms of stage 2 lipedema and control the course of the disease. The following therapeutic approaches play a role here:
Manual lymphatic drainage is a proven method for treating stage 2 lipedema. Using special massage techniques, a trained physiotherapist stimulates the flow of lymph in the body and supports the decongestion of the tissue. The rhythmic movements of the massage reduce swelling and possible oedema, decrease the feeling of heaviness and relieve pain.
Compression garments, usually in the form of compression tights, compression stockings or compression bolero, also serve to decongest the tissue. Similar to manual lymphatic drainage, it supports the flow of lymph by applying even pressure to the tissue.
In order for compression to relieve pain and stabilise the tissue in the long term, it should be worn regularly.
Certain sports such as swimming or aqua gymnastics have a positive influence on stage 2 lipedema. Similar to compression, even pressure is exerted on the tissue, which benefits the lymph flow and at the same time relieves the body, especially the joints.
In some cases, the ketogenic diet is used as a supportive measure for stage 2 lipedema. This diet is characterised by a very low carbohydrate intake and an increased fat intake. In this way, the body is supposed to draw more on fat reserves for energy, which can lead to a reduction in fatty tissue and an improvement in symptoms. The ketogenic diet should at best be followed under medical supervision.
Conservative therapy can bring relief to the body in everyday life and relieve pain and other discomforts. However, these are not curative measures, so complete freedom from symptoms cannot usually be achieved. Conservative therapy is also an ongoing process.
In the second stage, lipedema is already advanced and is sometimes accompanied by severe discomfort, so that conservative therapy measures often reach their limits. In this case, liposuction is a solution to be considered.
Liposuction for lipedema is the only way to date to completely remove diseased fatty tissue in the long term. Unlike liposuction, which is known from cosmetic surgery, the focus here is not on the aesthetic appearance (even if this is an accompanying advantage of lipedema surgery), but on the relief of severe pain.
In some cases, liposuction can even achieve complete freedom from symptoms. Our experienced specialists perform liposuction on lipedema patients in all stages.
You can find out more about the procedure on our liposuction services page and in a personal consultation.
Living with stage 2 lipedema can be challenging, but there are ways to make everyday life easier. Meet yourself with acceptance and compassion and respect your own limits.
Some tips for managing lipedema are:
You can find out more about dealing with the condition in everyday life under Living with lipedema.
The assumption of costs for lipedema surgery can depend on various factors, such as the severity of the lipedema, the individual insurance situation and the guidelines of the respective health insurance company. In a current decision from 2020, it was determined that under certain conditions, it is possible for the costs to be covered by the health insurance fund. However, this ruling usually refers to advanced stage 3 lipedema. These are always individual decisions that are closely related to the symptoms and complaints of the respective patient. In order to find out whether coverage is possible for your specific situation, it is strongly recommended that you ask your health insurance company.
Remember – you are not alone! Many women cope with the challenge of lipedema every day. In addition, there are now ways to improve your quality of life in the long term and to combat complaints. The lipedema specialists at LIPOCURA® will be happy to help you start on this path to a new, carefree life. So do not hesitate to contact us. We are there for you in word and deed and would like to help you find the best possible way to deal with your lipedema.
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