'We wish to describe a clinical syndrome, lipedema of the legs, which is frequently very distressing. In our experience it affects solely women. The chief complaint is of swelling of the legs and feet which has been present for many years... Aching distress in the legs is common... Ordinarily, such patients are very sensitive about the appearance of their limbs...'
E. V. Allen MD & E. A. Hines Jr, MD, Mayo Clinic, March 20, 1940

Lipedema is an enigmatic disease characterized by excessive and painful fat deposition, especially to the lower body. It almost exclusively affects women who may seek help for years, only to be met with ongoing anti-fat stereotyping. The presence of lipedema can be life-defining for those affected. It has only recently been more widely recognized clinically and as a subject for research investigation. Even though this research is now accelerating, there is still much that is left to be discovered.

This book is written for the new clinician as well as the seasoned practitioner who is passionate about the care of a growing population of patients affected by this disorder. This comprehensive text provides guidelines to accurate diagnosis, state-of-the-art imaging techniques, and summaries of evidence-based management strategies. Expert authors delve into the genetics and natural history of lipedema, confront the anti-fat bias in healthcare, and present a realistic approach for dealing with the challenges faced by the primary care physician directing the care of patients with lipedema.

This integral, instructive volume functions as a compendium of current and evolving knowledge surrounding lipedema. Each chapter explores the facts and leads the reader through what is yet to be discovered, as well as the most promising theories that beg future investigation. While pragmatic and science-based, setting out what the current options are for diagnosis and management, the book also looks ahead to potential future findings that could in time be transformational.