Lipedema is an inherited loose connective tissue disorder. It happens in roughly 10% of the female population with varying degrees of severity. It causes the adipose (fat) tissue from the ankle to the hips to become larger and abnormally shaped, resulting in larger appearing legs above the ankles. Lipedema also causes the veins and lymphatics to ‘stretch’ easier, causing vein disease and chronic lymphedema. If caught early, lipedema can be successfully managed.