The overall goal of this proposal is to characterize the immune cell profile of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue in lean, overweight, obese and lipedema adults, and to evaluate potential associations between different adipose tissue immune cell types and metabolic profile.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women of all races and ethnicity
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 kg/m²
• Weight stable (+/- 3% during the last 2 months before enrollment)
• Women already scheduled for above mentioned procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Recent (<5 years) history of cancer (except in situ ductal breast carcinoma)
• Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy within 4 months before enrollment
• Immune system diseases (i.e., autoimmune disorders, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Take any medication that might affect immune function
• Severe organ dysfunction
• BMI <18.5 kg/m² or size of each breast is >600 grams, if scheduled for bilateral breast reconstruction

50 women already scheduled to undergo liposcution/lipectomy procedure for breast reconstruction associated with prophylactic mastectomy or mastectomy for in situ ductal breast corcinoma, cosmetic surgery, or abdominal lipectomy for severe obesity at either Barnes-Jewish Hospital or Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. Subjects of all races and ethnicity, with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 18.5 kg/m² and between the ages of 18 and 65 years of age will be included in the study.