Do I have lipedema or am I just obese? (photos)

Lipedema affects nearly 25 million women in the US. As a board certified plastic surgeon and a board certified lymphedema expert, I manage complex lip edema cases with a combination of liposuction and skin tightening procedures. 
Most cases of lipedema improve with liposuction and fat lipolysis with laser and Coolsculpting. A combination approach is ideal. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for sharing your photos. Looking at your legs, you may have lipedema. You describe difficulty losing weight in your legs, which is common with lipedema. There are other symptoms associated with lipedema such as pain and swelling and you don't mention them. It is controversial whether you can have lipedema without any tenderness, pain, or swelling, but some doctors like myself believe it is possible. I encourage you to seek a diagnosis from an expert who is very familiar with lipedema and if diagnosed properly to pursue treatment options. Wishing you the best of health.

Lipedema is a very underdiagnosed condition in the US and the world. This is mainly from a lack of understanding. There are a lot of symptoms and differences from just weight gain. However, I would need to understand a lot more about your particular case. As an FYI, there is a small group of us that is working very closely with the lipedema community to educate as well as develop Standard of Care Guidelines for the US. 
For more information please visit our lipedema educational website.
Hope this helps!
Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS

Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery
USC Keck School of Medicine
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
#RealSelf100Surgeon 

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

There appear to be issues with skin laxity and excess fat. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in your geographical area to discuss your goals and recommended treatment plans.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hi and thanks for your question. 
Based on your photos, you have regional fat accumulation in your legs. But the shape of your legs are good for lipedema. You have fat accumulation in upper part of your leg. For your legs, we have to focus on solution And the solution for this problem is liposuction and thigh lift combination.
Best of lucks

Lisa I appreciate your concern and frustration, however physical examination is needed to make a definitive diagnosis. It appears from your photographs that you most likely have lipodystrophy, collection of fat in designated areas, sometimes unresponsive to diet and exercise. I would first adopt a healthy diet and exercise program, and then consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon if fat is unresponsive to this regimen. Good luck. 

Judging from your photographs, you do not have lymphedema. However, a physical exam may determine that there is some lymphedema there.
Your primary problem is obesity. You will need to consult an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to determine the best course for you to take. A good start would be a healthy diet, some exercise, and a change to a more healthy lifestyle.
Thank you for your question and photographs. Best of luck to you.

You clearly do not have lipedema as evidenced by the normal shape and contour of you lower leg and calf. Your problem areas are just common areas where fat deposits around the thigh and hip.

Without in person examination and specialized testing impossible to determine if you are a lymphema patient. There are many excellent local boarded PSs in your area. You should see a few in consultation. 

Lipedema has a few classic hallmarks. It's a diagnosis of exclusion. There are no tests to confirm this other than examination and history.  In particular this condition almost exclusively affect women.  Typically the amount of fat on the lower extremities gets worse over time.  It is often exaggerated with weight gain but does not respond to weight loss.  These are the hallmarks.  Whether you have the condition or not it's in someway is it a relevant other than having an understanding that weight loss is not particularly effective.  The treatment is the same whether you have the condition or not. It's basically liposuction.  Liposuction may not give you a better looking legs but can reduce the overall size.  Whether that's attractive or not is in the eye of the beholder. It's important to remember that liposuction will not improve the quality of the skin.  Secondary procedures like thermitight or J plasma  can help.  Consider getting a few in person consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. Liposuction results vary more than any other plastic surgery procedure.  Make sure the person you're consulting with has had experience with lower extremity liposuction and can show you before and after pictures of their own results of more than a handful of patients.  Best, Mats Hagstrom MD