Lipoedema is sometimes called the disease of shame because people think that women with lipoedema are lazy or eat too much or both.  

What many people don’t know, is that lipoedema is a recognised medical condition which cannot be dieted or exercised away. Sadly this condition is often not understood by some medical practitioners.

Lipoedema has three recognised stages and usually affects the hips, buttocks, legs and sometimes the upper arms or abdomen.  It does not affect the hands or the feet.  It can also be painful and bruise easily.  If left untreated, it can progress or develop into lipo-lymphoedema.

Dieting and exercising will not reduce the fat involved in lipoedema but it's still important to do those things because they can help you lose weight from non-lipoedema fat and reduce inflammation.   Exercise helps to reduce fluid buildup, boost mobility, and maintain or improve how well your legs work. Treatment from a certified MLD therapist can help to stop the lipoedema progressing any further and can improve the appearance of the skin.

Complete Decongestive Therapy  (CDT) is recognised as the best non-surgical treatment for lipoedema.