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Lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy (said: lip-oh-DIS-truh-fee) is a health condition that causes changes in body fat.

What you need to know about lipodystrophy:

  • When you have it, you may:
    • Get fat deposits in your stomach or neck that are not normal
    • Lose fat from your legs, arms, and face
    • Have changes in cholesterol (a fatty substance in the blood) and other fat levels in your blood
    • Have higher blood pressure
    • Start to get early signs of diabetes or heart disease
  • It can be caused by HIV infection or HIV medicines
  • It can be treated by:
    • Changing your HIV medicines if you are taking one that is known to cause lipodystrophy
    • Having liposuction and plastic surgery. Liposuction is a procedure done by a surgeon to vacuum out extra fat. It can get rid of extra fat in the neck and breasts. But fat deposits can come back

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