Lipedema

What is Lipedema?

If you are living with persistent pain, swelling, or stubborn fat that does not respond to diet or exercise, you may be experiencing lipedema.

Lipedema is a chronic fat tissue disorder that leads to the abnormal buildup of fibrotic, nodular fat most commonly in the hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Unlike typical weight gain, this fat distribution is symmetrical and notably spares the hands and feet. The condition often worsens during times of hormonal change such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, and it can be linked to hypermobility disorders.

Patients frequently experience pain, tenderness, heaviness in the limbs, easy bruising, and difficulty losing weight in affected areas despite diet and exercise. These symptoms can significantly impact mobility, comfort, and quality of life. Because lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity, many patients go years without proper recognition or treatment.

At Joel Wellness Clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating lipedema with a compassionate, individualized approach designed to improve both health and daily living.

Why Trust Dr. Joel with Your Lipedema Care

Dr. Binju Joel is recognized as one of the leading experts in lipedema care, offering patients the specialized knowledge and compassionate approach needed for a condition that is so often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Lipedema affects an estimated 11% of women in the United States — around 17 million women — yet many go years without understanding what they are truly battling.

Dr. Joel is renowned for treating lipedema due to the following factors:

Specialized Expertise
Dr. Joel has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating lipedema, a condition that is often misunderstood or dismissed. Her specialized focus allows her to provide patients with accurate answers and effective care when many others cannot.

Obesity Medicine Certified
As a board-certified Obesity Medicine specialist with fellowship training, Dr. Joel is uniquely qualified to distinguish between regular obesity and lipedema-related fat deposition. This ensures patients receive the right diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan.

Commitment to Continued Learning
Dr. Joel regularly attends professional meetings such as the Fat Disorders Society Conference to stay at the forefront of advancements in research and patient care.

Active in Research
She is directly involved with the Lipedema Foundation’s research efforts, contributing to the growing body of knowledge aimed at improving outcomes for patients worldwide.

Comprehensive Care and Advocacy
Her work goes beyond the clinic, Dr. Joel is an active advocate for raising awareness of lipedema and ensuring patients are heard, understood, and supported.

Advancing Awareness and Standards of Care
Dr. Joel spearheaded the Lipedema Roundtable in partnership with the Lipedema Foundation, a collaborative effort designed to raise awareness of lipedema and establish better standards of care. Through this work, she continues to drive progress that benefits patients both in her clinic and across the broader medical community.

Proven Patient Outcomes
Many patients under Dr. Joel’s care report reduced pain, improved mobility, and a better quality of life. Dr. Joel and her team are known for taking the time to truly listen and understand each patient’s struggles. With a holistic view of care, they focus not only on physical symptoms but also on the emotional and lifestyle challenges that come with lipedema. This compassionate, patient-centered approach ensures that every individual feels supported, valued, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

Lipedema Facts

• Affects an estimated 11% of women in the United States, nearly 17 million women
• Often mistaken for obesity or lymphedema, leading to delays in treatment
• Typically presents with symmetrical fat accumulation in the legs and/or arms, sparing the hands and feet
• Common symptoms include pain, tenderness, easy bruising, and swelling
• Can worsen during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause due to hormonal changes
• Strongly associated with decreased mobility and reduced quality of life if left untreated

Lipedema vs. Lymphedema

While lipedema and lymphedema may look similar, they are two distinct conditions that require different approaches.

Lipedema

• Symmetrical fat buildup in the legs, hips, buttocks, and arms
• Hands and feet are spared
• Painful, tender nodules and easy bruising
• Typically begins or worsens with hormonal changes
• Difficult to lose weight in affected areas despite diet and exercise

Lymphedema

• Caused by a problem in the lymphatic system, leading to fluid buildup
• Often affects one limb more than the other (asymmetrical)
• Swelling usually includes the hands and feet
• May cause skin thickening and infections
• Often develops after cancer treatment, surgery, or trauma

Understanding the difference between these conditions is key to getting the right treatment, and Dr. Joel has the expertise to make an accurate diagnosis and guide you toward relief.

Symptoms Checklist: Could It Be Lipedema?

You may want to schedule a consultation if you experience:

• Disproportionate lower body compared to upper body
• Fat accumulation in legs, thighs, hips, or arms that does not improve with diet and exercise
• Pain, tenderness, or heaviness in affected areas
• Easy or frequent bruising
• Nodules or lumps felt under the skin in the limbs
• Swelling that worsens during the day but spares the hands and feet
• Symptoms that began or worsened around puberty, pregnancy, or menopause

Your First Lipedema Visit

Your first lipedema appointment is a comprehensive one-hour consultation designed to give you a clear starting point and personalized guidance.

Evaluation & InBody Scan

You’ll begin with our nurse practitioner, who will review your health history and symptoms. During this time, you’ll also complete an InBody body composition scan. This advanced tool goes beyond a standard scale by measuring fat, muscle, and water balance. For lipedema patients, it’s especially valuable because it helps track swelling, inflammation, and body changes over time. Click here to learn more about the Inbody.

Measurements for Tracking

We will also take precise limb measurements during this visit. These provide a baseline to compare at future appointments and help us track your progress.

Consultation with Dr. Joel

Next, you’ll meet with Dr. Joel. She will spend time understanding your history, symptoms, and the information gathered during your visit.
Dr. Joel will explain how lipedema differs from other conditions, answer your questions, and ensure you have a clear understanding of your diagnosis. From there, she will create a personalized care plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. She will also guide you through what to expect moving forward, outline the next steps in your treatment journey, and explain how your progress will be monitored over time.

Pneumatic Pump Fitting & Demonstration

Finally, a pump specialist will meet with you for a pneumatic compression pump fitting and demonstration. This hands-on session ensures you feel comfortable with the device and confident about how it can support your treatment at home.