June is #lipedemaawareness month 💜 #Lipedema is a hereditary adipose (fat) disorder that affects an estimated 11% of (mostly) women worldwide. This “congenital deformity” is usually triggered by puberty and causes bilateral abnormal deposits of painful fat tissue in the extremities. It runs in the family, is progressive over time and can cause joint, mobility issues, lymphedema (swelling) and bruising.

A lot of the women you meet with (natural) pear shapes, large legs and protruding hips, or big arms, there’s a good chance they may suffer from the condition. It’s super resistant to weight loss, this is not normal fat. It’s filled with protein waste and mitochondria trying to fight off what the body views as an attack. Sometimes the fat becomes fibrotic.

Our community focus heavily on weight management, maintaining mobility, lymphatic drainage, compression, supplements and pain reduction…but many of us also seek relief, to slow or reverse the progress and reduce volume through advanced medical Liposuction.

In 2014, I underwent a medically necessary Liposuction procedure that I had to fight my insurance on (and I won, then published a book about 📕) My doctor removed 5 LITERS of diseased fat from my calves and upper arms. After recovering, I lost 40 more lbs and my pain levels dramatically improved. I did gain this weight back eventually (I like to eat good lol 😂) but it turned back the clock about 8-10 years for me. I’ll do it again eventually.

I have Stage 3, Type III/IV Lipo-Lymphedema, meaning my case has begun to cause larger malformations and folds, it affects my arms as well, and I have chronic swelling that fluctuates day to day based on several factors. I also have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome ( hyper mobility type) so I live with chronic pain.

I DONT LET MY LIPEDEMA STOP ME FROM LIVING MY LIFE.

I used to DREAD being seen in public in a swimsuit or undressing in front of a man. 👀 At some point in my life I made a conscious decision to accept my legs the way they are and choose joy and pleasure over fear or embarrassment.

My life = courage. Shoutout to the men who LOVE 💕 them a juicy Lip Lady @lipladyfab