We’re excited to share an important milestone for the Lipedema Foundation Biobank: onboarding of the first surgical collection site.

Launched in 2025, the LF Biobank is a foundational initiative designed to accelerate research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Lipedema. By securely collecting biospecimens such as blood, urine, saliva, adipose, and other tissue types, along with relevant health information, the Biobank provides researchers with high-quality, well-annotated samples needed to advance scientific discovery.

Introducing our First Surgical Biobank Site: Pasadena Plastic Surgery (Pasadena, CA)

Pasadena Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Michael Schwartz, now serves as an official LF Biobank collection site, expanding access to high-quality samples for research. Dr. Michael Schwartz is a board-certified facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience. In support of our efforts to expand the LF Biobank, Surgical Coordinator Cristina Corral and the Pasadena Plastic Surgery team lead on-site collection of biological samples and clinical data from individuals who choose to participate. Cristina, who lives with Lipedema, has supported patients undergoing liposuction to treat Lipedema at Pasadena Plastic Surgery for 10 years and actively raises awareness by sharing her personal journey. 

The Lipedema Foundation was built on a simple premise: funding the right research, done by the right scientists, is the fastest path to answers for people living with Lipedema. Over 11 years, that commitment has produced up to $13.6 million in research investment, partnerships with 55 institutions across 10 countries, and 74 publications advancing our understanding of this disease from adipose biology and lymphatic involvement to pain mechanisms and the role of the immune system.

Today, we are announcing the next chapter: LF is now initiating and managing some of its own research projects.

Lipedema is a chronic medical condition, often with pain, that is frequently misdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions, including generalized obesity, lymphedema, and commonly cellulite. It is a question we hear frequently from patients, clinicians, and the public: is this cellulite, or something more? While the superficial appearance of Lipedema may resemble the characteristic dimpling of skin seen in cellulite, they are distinct. Here is what the research shows, and why accurate diagnosis matters.

The Lipedema Foundation joined global researchers and clinicians at the Boston Lymphatics Symposium to advance dialogue on Lipedema research and care. Highlights included new research priorities, a resource addressing key clinical questions, and expansion of the LF Biobank through an onsite collection event.

We’re proud to share a major milestone for the Lipedema Foundation: the official launch of the LF Lipedema Biobank at this year’s Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference. As part of the conference, we hosted a Live Research event that brought together researchers, clinicians, and individuals living with Lipedema to support research in real time.

Over the course of the event, we collected biological samples from 74 participants—marking the very first contributions to the biobank. These samples, along with accompanying clinical data, will serve as an invaluable resource for future studies focused on understanding the potential causes, progression, and treatments for Lipedema.