Lipedema affects millions of women in Brazil

Lipedema, a chronic condition characterized by the disproportionate and symmetrical accumulation of fat in the legs and sometimes arms, affects an estimated 12.3% of adult women in Brazil. This equates to approximately 8.8 million women. The condition is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity, despite the fact that it does not respond to standard diets and exercise in the same way.

Medical experts emphasize that lipedema impacts more than just physical appearance; it can cause significant pain, a sensation of heaviness, and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach. While liposuction is used as a clinical management tool to reduce affected adipose tissue volume, specialists stress that it is not a weight-loss method and should be performed on patients who are already in good general health and physical condition.