Lipedema Support Community
Welcome! We offer information and support for women who have or think they may have the disease (lipedema affects women almost exclusively), as well as research and education about lipedema for clinicians who wish to better serve their patients.
Support, understanding, and shared experiences.
So many of us with lipedema struggle alone with doctors and family who don’t understand about lipedema, or even worse, don’t believe us.
Our TRIBE Community creates a safe space to learn, to find what’s right for you and your body. You can manage lipedema and live your best life.
You are not alone!
How often in your life have you needed help for having fat arms, hips, legs, about your body but don’t know what to do?
What about times that you have been in so much pain… and not known where to go or who to turn to?
The gap between your current health journey and the best quality of life with lipedema cannot be filled by knowledge alone.
We created the Lipedema TRIBE Community so you can enrich your life, learn about these chronic conditions, and connect with others to offer and receive support.
Simply, we have your back!
Join Our Lipedema TRIBE Community
Knowledge is Powerful
We have spent the past several years developing and implementing the MASTERCLASS series of webinars, online classes, and support groups.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWERFUL. We’ve learned how to help ourselves and each other. Our TRIBE Community is the best of what we have learned, available to you, at your own convenience to watch videos, listen to podcasts, and meet with us on LIVE meetings.
Community is Nurturing
Connect with each other, our Lipedema TRIBE Community has valuable insights and feedback. Share your successes and challenges. Find answers to your questions.
Our community is supportive, encouraging, and kind. We have each other’s back. This is a safe space for each of us. We ask for a gentle and respectful approach from all. Our social connections help bring a new dimension to our healing process.
Mentoring is Supportive
Our mentors, faculty, and staff are here to support you. We have monthly LIVE Q&A sessions, and our private online support group (CIRCLE) for asking questions and discussion, We have been facilitating and coaching specific to lipedema, lymphedema, lymphatic and fat disorders for over 10 years.
We are here to help you so you can optimally help yourself live your best life and move beyond lipedema and its limitations.
About The Lipedema Project
The Lipedema Project was founded in 2014 by Dr. Mark L. Smith, MD, FACS and Catherine Seo, PhD to begin the research and treatment for lipedema, a chronic fat disorder. Lipedema is a disease involving abnormal fat deposition that can result in pain, immobility, and lymphatic disturbances. Lipedema progresses over time often developing lymphedema, a chronic condition called lipolymphedema.
With obesity reaching epidemic proportions and anti-fat bias prevalent in healthcare, it becomes critical that patients are correctly diagnosed, that resources are invested in understanding this disease and how it can be treated, and that patients have the support, knowledge, and options to manage these chronic conditions.
Currently, The Lipedema Project, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted to increasing awareness and providing education, research, and treatment for lipedema through online and face-to-face programs and building community.
The lipedema documentary is available for viewing on Facebook, Lipedema – The Disease They Call FAT.
The book is available on Amazon, Lipedema – The Disease They Call FAT: An Overview for Clinicians.
