Recently, Doja Cat announced that she may have lipedema: A chronic and progressive condition where abnormal fat tissue builds up typically in the legs, thighs and buttocks. In addition to her synth-backed melodies and genre-bending rhymes, the “Say So,” songstress is known to wax quite poetically about her fuller lower half. “If you can see it from the front, wait till you see it from the back,” and ” She keep that booty, booty, she keep that plump,” are just a few of the bodacious melodies Doja Cat has belted off in reference to her full figure. That is to say, Ms. Doja has never shied away from embracing her shapely figure.
In fact, it has become a stylistic hallmark for the buzzy raptresst. So when she came online to discuss concerns she might have lipedema, fans were shocked to learn that Doja hasn’t always liked her “big a**.”
@dojacat #lipedema #lipedemalegs ♬ original sound – Doja Cat
“I always thought, like, damn. Like, what is wrong with me? Like, is something wrong with me? Like, why do people keep pointing at me and gawking at me? ” Doja shared on her TikTok.
She went on to share that her relationship with her lower half has been borderline dysmorphic since a young age, but she never knew the root cause. Add on the gawking, unsolicited commentary she got regarding her “small waist” and ” big a**,” and Doja quickly found herself in a constant state of cognitive dissonance as one of her biggest insecurities became her most praised attribute.
@arianakadiri Unpopular opinion about Doja cat. #dojacat #unpopularopinion #lipoedema #doja ♬ original sound – Arianatalks
“I looked like Squidward when he ate all the Krabby Patties. That’s what lipedema looks like. If you watch SpongeBob, that episode where Squidward ate the Krabby Patties and it went straight to his thighs, that’s what it looks like,” says Doja.
But now, knowing that there might be a genetic condition causing the accumulation of fat, Doja has a renowed sense of clarity she didn’t know she was seeking. But what exactly is lipedema, and what makes it different from other types of fat?
@wh0rechataa._ Reply to @isanews2 I remember my first krabby patty #squidward #spongebob #nickelodeon #nostalgia #childhoodmemories #spongebobsquarepants #fyp #xyzbca ♬ original sound – Crystal
What is Lipedema?
According to Dr. Sermed Mezher, lipedema is a chronic and progressive condition in which abnormal fat tissue accumulates. This typically occurs in the legs, thighs and buttocks, but it can also occur in the arms. “It is incredibly important to understand that this is a biological and genetic disorder of the adipose tissue, not a result of lifestyle choices or a lack of discipline,” Dr. Mezher tells EBONY.
How Is Lipedema Diagnosed? Can It Be Self-Diagnosed?
As it stands, Doja Cat doesn’t appear to have an official diagnosis for her lipedema, but Dr. Mezher says the condition requires a clinical diagnosis. However, patients often notice symptoms before medical professionals do.
“It is a clinical diagnosis. This means doctors rely on a physical examination and a patient’s medical history rather than a specific blood test or scan,” says Dr. Mezher. He adds that lipedema is often misdiagnosed as obesity by medical professionals, making it harder for patients to get an accurate diagnosis. “Many patients are forced into a corner where they essentially self-diagnose first. They do the research, recognize the specific patterns in their own bodies and then have to advocate fiercely for themselves in the clinic to get a formal diagnosis from a primary care physician, dermatologist or surgeon,” says Dr. Mezher.
What Makes Lipedema Different from Regular Fat?
It’s also important to note that lipedema doesn’t behave like regular fat and doesn’t go away with normal fat loss. Even if you hit the gym or cut out carbs, that lipedema is not going anywhere.
“Regular fat responds to a caloric deficit and exercise, but lipedema fat is metabolically completely different,” explains Dr. Mezher. “You can spend hours in the gym and eat a perfect diet, but the lipedema tissue simply will not budge.”
The fat also feels different. Lipedema fat often feels nodular, “like grains of rice or frozen peas,” says Dr. Mezher.
@drsermedmezher Is it Lipedema or Cellulite? Doctor Explains. Sources- PMID 36551837 littinlucy on TT Cellulite is a structural skin feature rather than a condition that can be “cured” or permanently removed. It occurs when the subcutaneous fat layer pushes through the connective tissue fibers, known as septae, that tether the skin to the underlying muscle. In women, these fibers are typically arranged in a vertical, pillar-like pattern, whereas in men they tend to be in a crisscross structure. When fat cells enlarge or the skin thins due to age, the fat protrudes into the dermis while the septae pull downward, creating the characteristic dimpled appearance. Scientifically speaking, you can manage the visibility of cellulite, but you cannot change your genetic predisposition or the fundamental structure of your connective tissue. Weight loss may reduce the volume of fat pushing against the skin, but if the septae are naturally tight or the skin has lost elasticity, dimpling may remain or even become more prominent. Most topical “firming” creams provide only a temporary swelling of the skin (edema) that briefly masks the texture but does not alter the underlying fat or fibers. The most effective clinical interventions focus on physically altering these structural components. Treatments like subcision or certain laser therapies work by severing the tight fibrous bands to release the skin’s surface. Other methods, such as radiofrequency or acoustic wave therapy, aim to thicken the dermis and stimulate collagen production to create a more resilient barrier against the protruding fat. While these can produce significant and lasting improvements, the body eventually undergoes natural aging and remodeling, meaning results are rarely permanent. #cellulite #fat #women ♬ original sound – DrSermedMezher
Beyond that, lipedema also creates a stark disproportion between the upper and lower body, which can cause the appearance of a very small waist but disproportionately heavy legs. For some people, this leads to unwanted attention regarding their physique, which can add to the mental load of dealing with lipedema.
Dr. Mezher says this is why it’s so important to have influential figures like Doja Cat speaking out about this.
“It validates the struggles of millions of women who have spent years blaming themselves for their bodies. Most importantly, it gives them the exact vocabulary they need to walk into a doctor’s office and finally advocate for the correct care.”
What Treatments Are Available for Lipedema?
In her video, Doja Cat says she has gotten liposuction on her thighs, hips and left her butt alone, which gave her a “diaper booty.”
“It looked like I had a BBL, but I didn’t,” she said in the video, explaining that she did eventually go back in and get lipo on her butt. But in terms of recommended treatment, Dr. Mezher says there are a few options available, depending on the severity of the lipedema.
“We generally divide treatments into conservative and surgical management. Conservative treatments include manual lymphatic drainage and wearing specialized medical compression garments to help manage the symptoms and prevent the condition from progressing,” says Dr. Mezher.
Doja Cat inadvertently found her way to this as she explains she has become quite fond of wearing tights on stage to help “keep all of that together.”
However, Dr. Mezher says the only way to “physically remove” the diseased lipedema tissue is through “specialized, lymphatic-sparing liposuction,” which should be performed by a surgeon trained specifically in lipedema care.
Now, everyone’s experience with lipedema is different, and this will impact treatment options and general procedural outcomes. By and large, though, open conversations are the first step to any sustained treatment.
“When a high-profile figure like Doja Cat speaks openly about lipedema, it is absolutely transformative for public health.