Lipedema and Lymphedema Diagnosis and Management in Northern Virginia
LiLy Collaborative: My Lipedema and Lymphedema Team
Your Journey to Better Care Starts Here.
Finding answers and the right care for lipedema or lymphedema can feel overwhelming. LiLy Collaborative brings together a team of specialists to provide coordinated, personalized care that supports you at every step.
From certified lymphedema therapists and vascular specialists to registered dietitians, mental health providers, plastic surgeons specializing in lipedema, and more, our network connects the expertise you need.
LiLy Collaborative is led by a physician double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine, with two decades of clinical experience. Together with a certified lymphatic therapist, vein specialists, a registered dietitian, and a mental health therapist, we diagnose, stage, and manage lipedema and lymphedema with the coordinated care that has been missing.
One coordinated team
Your multidisciplinary care team
Founding physician
Dr. Minnie Cruz‑Tolentino
MD, FAAFP, DABOM
Double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine. Twenty years of experience leading diagnosis, staging, and management where lipedema, hormones, and metabolism intersect.
01
Lymphatic therapy specialist
Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
Manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, and therapeutic exercise, built into your LiLy Collaborative plan.
02
Collaborating referral partners
Vascular and Vein Specialist
Swelling isn’t always lymphatic. Our vein partners evaluate your circulation and treat venous disease that can add to leg swelling and pain.
03
Nutrition specialist
Registered Dietitian
Anti-inflammatory, lipedema-aware nutrition guidance built into your care plan.
04
Behavioral health specialist
Mental Health Therapist
Support for the emotional toll of living with a chronic, often invisible condition.
05
Surgical specialist
Plastic Surgeon
A board-certified Lipedema plastic surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and surgically treating Lipedema and Lymphedema.
06
Care coordination
Referrals to Trusted Specialists
When you need care beyond our clinic, we connect you with trusted specialists and coordinate your plan.
Chronically underdiagnosed. Life-changing to finally understand.
What are we actually managing?
Lipedema
A chronic fat disorder seen almost only in women. Painful, out-of-proportion fat builds up in the legs, hips, and arms, while the hands and feet stay slim. Diet and exercise don't change it.
Fat that doesn't shift with weight loss
Pain, tenderness, or heaviness
Easy bruising
A visible line where the leg meets the foot
Onset during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
Lymphedema
Chronic swelling from a lymphatic system that can't keep up. Fluid builds in the arms or legs, causing swelling, skin changes, and a higher risk of infection. We manage it with Complete Decongestive Therapy:
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Compression therapy
Therapeutic exercise
Skin care education
Self-management training
Lipo-lymphedema
Lipedema with lymphedema layered on top. Over time, lipedema fat can overload the lymphatic system, and fluid starts to build up on top of it. The swelling reaches the feet, and the legs get heavier and firmer.
Swelling that extends into the feet and ankles
Heaviness, aching, or tightness that builds through the day
Skin that feels firm, thick, or tight
Swelling that doesn’t fully go down with rest or elevation
Skin infections that keep coming back
Lipedema
Lipedema signs and symptoms
A chronic fat disorder that mostly affects women, often starting or worsening with hormonal changes.
Out-of-proportion legs or hips despite diet and exercise
Easy bruising or pain with light touch
Changes triggered by hormones, such as pregnancy, menopause, or hormone therapy
Fat that never budges in certain areas
Up to 1 in 9
women may have lipedema. Most never get a diagnosis.
~12 yrs
average wait for a correct diagnosis.
71
global experts shaped the 2025 lipedema consensus we follow.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema signs and symptoms
Swelling caused by fluid that the lymphatic system can’t clear, often after surgery, radiation, or injury.
Swelling after surgery or radiation
Repeated infections in the swollen area
Fluid buildup that keeps getting worse
If this sounds like you, you deserve an answer, not another dismissal.
Is this right for you?
Who should schedule an evaluation?
You suspect you have lipedema
You've been told it's "just weight," and you know that's wrong
You have swelling after cancer surgery or radiation
Your lipedema is progressing and you want physician-led management
You want one coordinated team, not multiple separate providers
Your legs feel heavy and standard care hasn't helped
You've been diagnosed but never properly managed
Hormonal shifts seem to be making things worse
You want a plan built specifically around you
Physician referrals and self-referrals are both welcome.
Physician expertise and lymphatic therapy, in one coordinated program.
How we diagnose and manage lipedema
Part 1 · 60–75 mins
Physician evaluation
Medical history and physical exam
Lab work: metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory markers
Diagnosis and staging
Part 2 · 60 mins
Lymphatic therapy and assessment
Lymphatic system assessment
Hands-on manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
Compression and home care plan
You leave with
Answers and a plan
One clear diagnosis
A written management plan
Therapy already underway
Two specialists. One coordinated visit.
What to expect at your first appointment
Comprehensive History and Assessment
Medical evaluation and lymphatic assessment together, for one clear picture and one plan.
A concierge-style visit
Unhurried time with your physician and therapist, in a calm, private setting built around you.
A plan in writing
Concrete next steps, referrals if needed, and a path forward that's actually yours.
My Wellness Physicians is a cash-based practice and is out of network with insurance plans.
Your care is built around you, not an insurance company's rulebook. We've made the deliberate choice to remain out-of-network so we can practice medicine the way it should be practiced: with time to listen, flexibility to personalize, and the freedom to recommend what's best for you rather than what's simply covered.
Insurance frequently limits care to standardized, cost-driven protocols. Our independence lets us offer thoughtful, physician-led care and a true partnership in every decision about your health.
Call us and our team will walk you through visit costs.
Does My Wellness Physicians accept referrals for lipedema and lymphedema?
Yes. We welcome referrals from physicians, surgeons, and therapists, and you can also refer yourself. Just call us or book online.
Where is LiLy Collaborative located?
LiLy Collaborative is one of the services My Wellness Physicians provides. We serve patients throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.
Is LiLy Collaborative a separate practice from My Wellness Physicians?
No. LiLy Collaborative is a program of My Wellness Physicians, led by Dr. Minnie Cruz-Tolentino, that brings together a coordinated team of specialists for lipedema and lymphedema care.
You've waited long enough.
You deserve a physician who listens, a team that gets it, and a plan built for your body. Book your first consultation, take the free self-assessment, or leave your details and we'll reach out.
In person in Leesburg or by telemedicine anywhere in Virginia
No obligation to book
Request a call back
It takes less than a minute.
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