DEMO — Lymph & Lipo · Prototype for review only
Patients & Professionals

You are not imagining it.
And you are not alone.

Lymph & Lipo connects patients with accurate information, specialist clinicians, and a community that truly understands — from first symptoms to long-term management across Hong Kong and Asia.

1 in 9
women estimated to have lipoedema worldwide
11 years
average time from onset to correct diagnosis
"For the first time, someone actually knew what they were looking at." — Lymph & Lipo Community Member, Hong Kong
2,400+
verified specialists in our network across Hong Kong & Asia
What is Lipoedema?

A real condition,
not a lifestyle issue

Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of adipose tissue causing disproportionate, painful fat accumulation — almost exclusively in women. It is frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed. Understanding it is the first step.

I

Stage One — Smooth skin surface

Subcutaneous fat accumulates, skin feels soft. Limbs are noticeably larger but skin surface remains smooth. Often dismissed as weight gain.

II

Stage Two — Uneven skin texture

Fat nodules develop beneath the skin. Bruising and tenderness increase. Compression begins to be important.

III

Stage Three — Lobular fat deposits

Large folds of skin and fat develop, particularly around knees and thighs. Mobility may be affected.

IV

Stage Four — With lymphoedema

Lipo-lymphoedema. Lymphatic system becomes involved. Specialist multi-disciplinary care is essential.

Key symptoms to recognise

Disproportionate fat distribution; tenderness and easy bruising; heaviness and aching; fat does not respond to diet and exercise; ankles typically spared ("cuffing").

🔬

How it's diagnosed

Diagnosis is clinical — there is no single definitive test. A trained specialist assesses fat distribution, skin texture, pain response, and medical history against established criteria.

🤝

Treatment options

Lipoedema is managed but not cured. Conservative management (compression, MLD, exercise) is first-line. Surgical intervention (liposuction) is appropriate in specific cases.

👩‍⚕️

For clinicians

Lipoedema is underdiagnosed in primary and secondary care. Our clinical education pathways and diagnostic tools support GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals.

Find a Specialist

Clinicians who understand

All specialists in our network have completed verified lipoedema training. Search by location, specialism, or treatment type.

Filter specialists

Location
Specialism
Type of care
All HA / Public Private Online
Accepting new patients
Any Yes
SR
Dr Sarah Redmond
Consultant Lymphoedema Therapist
Lymphoedema MLD Stage III–IV
Wan Chai, HK · Also offers online
JH
Mr James Hargreaves
Vascular Surgeon & Lipoedema Specialist
Surgical Liposuction Private only
Central, Hong Kong Island
PT
Dr Priya Thomas
GP with Lipoedema Interest
Primary care Diagnosis HA / Public
Kowloon · Public & private
CM
Clare Mackenzie
Specialist Physiotherapist
Physio Exercise Online
Tsim Sha Tsui · Regionwide online
Resources & Downloads

Knowledge to empower you

Guides, research summaries, videos and toolkits — for patients navigating a new diagnosis, and clinicians building confidence in assessment and care.

Patient guide

Your First Appointment: What to Expect

A plain-language walkthrough of the diagnostic process, questions to ask, and how to prepare for your first specialist consultation.

Research summary

2024 Clinical Consensus: Diagnostic Criteria Update

Plain-language summary of the international expert consensus on updated lipoedema staging and diagnostic criteria.

Video

Understanding Manual Lymphatic Drainage

A patient-facing explainer video covering what MLD is, how it helps, and how to find a qualified therapist in your area.

Clinician toolkit

GP Assessment Aide-Mémoire

A quick-reference card for primary care clinicians covering red flag signs, referral pathways, and common diagnostic pitfalls.

Patient guide

Compression Garments: A Practical Guide

How to choose, wear, care for and source compression garments — including Hospital Authority pathways, private options, and suppliers in Hong Kong.

Research summary

Lipoedema & Mental Health: What the Evidence Says

Summary of current evidence on psychological impact, body image and quality of life in lipoedema, with clinical implications.

News & Research

Staying at the frontier

Featured research

Liposuction Outcomes in Hong Kong Patients: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

New data from the Asia-Pacific Lipoedema Register provides the largest regional longitudinal study to date, showing sustained quality-of-life improvements in 78% of surgical patients at 36 months.

Read full summary
New Research, Jan 2025
14
Mar

Hospital Authority announces expanded funding for lipoedema specialist clinic posts in Hong Kong

Four regional hospitals have been allocated dedicated funding for lipoedema specialist roles across their lymphoedema and vascular units, starting Q3 2025.

28
Feb

Hong Kong College of Physicians issues new guidance on lipoedema assessment in primary care

The updated clinical guidance sets out referral criteria and diagnostic standards for GPs and family medicine practitioners across Hong Kong.

10
Feb

Genetic markers for lipoedema susceptibility identified in European cohort

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have identified three candidate gene variants associated with lipoedema risk in a study of 4,200 women.

Community

You deserve to be understood

A safe, moderated space for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. Share experiences, ask questions, and find people who truly get it.

💬

Patient forums

Open discussions on living with lipoedema — managing pain, finding support, navigating healthcare, and celebrating wins.

Join the conversation
🩺

Clinician network

A professional space for clinicians to share cases, discuss management approaches, and access CPD resources.

Access clinician hub
🗓

Events & webinars

Monthly patient Q&A sessions, expert-led webinars, and local support group meetups across Hong Kong.

View upcoming events

Recent forum activity

View all threads →
KL
Has anyone had liposuction through the Hospital Authority? Share your experience
Posted by KellyLPatient forums
47 replies
2h ago
MA
Which compression brands have worked best for you at Stage II?
Posted by MArgentTreatment & management
22 replies
5h ago
Dr
[Clinician] Referral pathway clarification — specialist access in New Territories
Posted by Dr_B_RossClinician network
8 replies
Yesterday
SJ
Finally got my diagnosis after 7 years — emotional post, but wanted to share
Posted by SaraJoPatient stories
81 replies
Yesterday
Contact & Referrals

We're here.
Reach out anytime.

Whether you're a patient seeking guidance on next steps, a carer looking for support, or a clinician wanting to join our network — get in touch. We aim to respond within two working days.

General enquiries

[email protected]

🩺

Clinician liaison

[email protected]

📋

Clinical referrals

Clinicians can refer directly via our secure referral form or by emailing our referral team.

A note on medical advice

We do not provide individual medical advice. For clinical assessment, please use our specialist finder or speak to your family doctor about a referral.

I am a…