Are Saddlebags Lipedema?
While saddlebags can be a symptom of lipedema, not everyone with saddlebags is a sufferer. Lipedema is a medical condition characterized by abnormal build-up of fat across the lower body. Saddlebags may develop as part of this condition since the outer thigh area is often affected by lipedema. Nevertheless, some people have saddlebags due to obesity. It is important to know the difference between the two conditions, as that affects how you treat them.
What are Saddlebags?
Saddlebags is an unflattering term that some people use to describe the build-up of fat on the outer thigh area. It is essential to note that saddlebags aren’t unusual, and they are especially common in women. Nevertheless, although saddlebags are quite common and pose no medical threat, many people want to get rid of them. One reason people want to get rid of saddlebags is that they can make finding clothes to fit difficult. Also, they spoil the appearance of the legs, leading to self-esteem issues.
Also Read – Will Thigh Liposuction Get Rid of My Saddlebags?
How Do I Know if Lipedema Causes My Saddlebags?
Lipedema is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal build-up of fat, primarily across the lower body. Much remains unknown about this condition, even by medical professionals. However, experts believe that its probable cause is hormonal since virtually all sufferers are female.
Lipedema fat is not the same as regular fat. It has a more tender, nodular, and fibrous consistency. It also fails to respond to diet and exercise in the same way as regular fat would.
People with lipedema experience excess build-up of fat on their lower body. While it affects different areas in each sufferer, it tends to cause column-like legs and excess fat around the hips. Since lipedema fat distributes itself mostly on the lower body, it can form saddlebags. Yet not everyone with saddlebags suffers from lipedema. Saddlebags may also be due to obesity caused by a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices.
There are certain signs to look for that indicate your saddlebags may be due to lipedema:
- ·Your lower body is much larger than your upper body
- ·You experience tenderness and pain in your lower body
- ·You bruise easily
- ·You see minimal difference after dieting and exercising
- ·You can feel nodules underneath your skin
- ·Your skin feels soft and cool to the touch
Can Diet and Exercise Get Rid of Saddlebags?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of lipedema, diet and exercise cannot get rid of saddlebags if lipedema is the cause. In fact, working out and restricting your eating may even make your saddlebags appear more prominent, because your upper body will slim down while the lipedema fat on your legs remains. Working out alone may not give you the results you need.
On the other hand, if your saddlebags are because of obesity, changing to a healthier diet and exercising can help. With a committed approach to healthy living, you should eventually see a reduction in your saddlebags.
Can Surgery Get Rid of Saddlebags?
Surgery is an effective treatment to eliminate saddlebags. Liposuction will permanently remove the excess fat on the outer upper thighs, improving their appearance.
The surgery involves making small incisions in the upper thighs under local anesthetic. The surgeon uses this cannula to break the fat up and then suction it away. They then sculpt the thigh area to produce a more appealing shape.
It takes several weeks for the post-surgery swelling to subside, but eventually, the final result becomes noticeable. Eventually, patients will detect noticeable improvement in their body shape. They will enjoy wearing tight-fitting jeans and swimsuits again without worrying about their appearance.
Liposuction is an effective treatment for saddlebags due to regular fat or lipedema. It is important to note, though, that the outcome may not be the same for lipedema patients. The purpose of liposuction for lipedema patients is not purely to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result. Primarily, it is to improve their quality of life, reduce their pain, and boost their mobility. While there will be aesthetic improvements, the final outcome may not be flawless. It is likely that the area will also be treated alongside other lower body areas to achieve the best result.
Whether you have saddlebags due to lipedema or simply due to regular excess fat, finding the right surgeon is crucial. It is especially important to choose an experienced, skilled surgeon if you suffer from lipedema, though. Not all surgeons are experts in performing liposuction procedures on lipedema sufferers. That is why you should contact Dr. Su at ArtLipo.
Dr. Su is a leading professional who specializes in the liposuction field. He has many years of experience in treating lipedema sufferers and produces impressive results. His patients enjoy a greatly improved quality of life following treatment. Do you want to find out more about liposuction of the outer thighs or discover whether your saddlebags are lipedema? Then call ArtLipo today and arrange an appointment.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.