Where My Story Begins
I have spent the last 20 years caring for patients. My roots are in primary care and urgent care, and I am double board certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, with a focus on both male and female hormone health.
When I opened My Wellness Physicians five years ago, I made myself a promise. If I was going to run a weight loss clinic, I was going to do it holistically and do it the right way. I did not want a revolving door of prescriptions and quick fixes. I wanted to treat the whole person, with metabolic health and prevention at the center of everything we do.
That promise is what led me to LiLy Collaborative.
The Patients Who Changed My Practice
About two years into running my clinic, I started noticing something I could not ignore. Some of my patients were doing everything right. They changed how they ate, they moved their bodies, they showed up for every visit. And still, they were not losing weight the way their effort said they should.
I want to be honest about how my Lipedema journey began: my patients educated me first. They came in with research, with stories, with years of being told to just eat less and exercise more. I listened. Then I went and educated myself, learning everything I could about this condition and connecting with clinicians in Loudoun County who already understood it.
Lipedema is a real, chronic condition. It causes a painful, disproportionate buildup of fat, most often in the legs and arms, and it does not respond to diet and exercise the way ordinary fat does. Too many women have been told it is their fault. It is not.
Your Navigator, Your Quarterback
Today, I am the only non-surgical physician based in Northern Virginia who assesses, diagnoses, and comprehensively manages Lipedema from start to finish. That is a responsibility I take seriously.
One thing I learned quickly is that no single provider can do this alone. So I built a network of Lipedema literate clinicians right here in Northern Virginia: certified lymphedema therapists, vascular and vein specialists, mental health support, registered dietitians, surgeons who understand this condition, and other specialists. I know them, and they know me.
That means when you come to me, you do not have to piece your care together on your own. You do not have to spend months and money searching for the right person, only to be dismissed again. I am your navigator. I am your quarterback. I am the one conducting the orchestra, making sure every member of your team is working together for you.
That is exactly what LiLy Collaborative means: My Lipedema and Lymphedema Team.
It Is Time You Were Heard
I truly love caring for this community of patients. Many of the women I meet have gone years, sometimes decades, without anyone really hearing them. They have been doubted, rushed, and sent home with the same advice that never worked. It is time we listen.
That is why I encourage every one of my patients to advocate for themselves, and why advocacy is woven into everything we do.
It is also why I partnered with Dr. Grace Villaver of Level Up PT to create LiLy Socials. These are free, in person gatherings for people living with Lipedema or lymphedema, people who suspect they may have it, and the loved ones who support them. It is a place to learn about the condition, meet others who understand, and build a real support network. No judgment, no pressure, just community.
Because healing is not only about what happens in the exam room. It is also about knowing you are not alone.
When You Are Ready
If any of this sounds familiar, if you have spent years doing everything right while your body seemed to work against you, please know that what you feel is real, and you are not alone.
Whenever you are ready, whether that is today or a year from now, my team and I will be here. You can call or text us at 703-777-9355, or reach us through mywellnessphysicians.com.
And if you would rather start by simply learning more, you are always welcome at a LiLy Social. Sometimes the first step is just a conversation.
Thank you for reading my story.
Warmly,
Dr. Cruz
LiLy Collaborative: My Lipedema and Lymphedema Team | A Service of My Wellness Physicians
1604 Village Market Blvd SE, Suite 119, Leesburg, VA