One in nine adult women suffer from painful fat buildup in the lower body, a condition known as lipedema. This relatively common yet overlooked disease causes fat to accumulate primarily in the butt, thighs, and calves. Molly Friar, an event planner from Sacramento, California, has struggled with lipedema since she was 11 years old.
Despite being fit and athletic, Friar found her lower body carrying an abnormal amount of fat, causing her to feel out of place among her super-skinny family members. The condition also brought extreme pain, inflammation, and bruising, making simple activities like getting a massage excruciating.
After years of feeling frustrated and battling with shame around her body, Friar sought a diagnosis, eventually finding out about lipedema through online research. While there is no cure for lipedema, relief is available through surgical procedures, such as manual lipedema extraction, which involves a combination of liposuction and the removal of underlying nodules of fat.
After undergoing three surgeries, Friar reported a 75-80% improvement in her mobility and an extended life. She faced challenges with insurance coverage for the costly surgeries, but is determined to raise awareness for the condition and the life-changing benefits of the surgeries. Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz, a specialist in lipedema, strongly recommends surgery as the best option to relieve symptoms and restore mobility.
