The Lympha Press Podcast

The June Lipedema Patient Roundtable celebrated Lipedema Awareness Month with an evening focused on advocacy, visibility, and the power of community. A highlight of the discussion was the presentation of the inaugural  Pattie Cornute  “All or Something” Award to  Kasi Grosvenor . Reflecting on her diagnosis five years ago, Kasi shared how Pattie’s encouragement and unwavering belief in the lipedem...

The June Lymphedema Patient Roundtable brought together patients, advocates, and clinicians for an engaging conversation in recognition of Wound Care Awareness Month. Special guest  Dr. M. Mark Melin , vascular surgeon and wound care specialist at Mayo Clinic, joined the panel to explore a topic that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention: the critical role the lymphatic system plays in wound hea...

During Lipedema Awareness Month,  Dr. Karen Herbst  sat down with  Dr. Patrick Greaney , a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in lipedema, lymphedema, microsurgery, and complex reconstruction. The discussion explored current surgical approaches, the emerging role of GLP-1 medications, and exciting developments shaping the future of care. Dr. Greaney reflected on...

American Lipedema Association  Board Member  Bailey Rotenberry-Maddox , a certified lymphedema therapist and nationally recognized lipedema educator, joined the May Lipedema Patient Roundtable as a special guest to share expert insights on improving awareness, support, and visibility for those living with lipedema. May is also Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD...

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of living with lymphedema, despite the profound emotional impact chronic swelling, daily treatment, and medical complications can have on patients’ everyday lives. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this month’s Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explored the complex intersection of mental and emotional well-being with life alongside lymphedema....

The May Research Roundtable featured internationally recognized microsurgeon  Dr. Antonio Forte , whose work at Mayo Clinic is advancing lymphedema treatment through surgical innovation and emerging technologies. Patients from across the U.S. and around the world seek his expertise, particularly for lymphovenous bypass (LVB), a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that is redefining what’s poss...

The April 2026 Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of living with lipedema: adapting as your needs evolve, without guilt or shame. Panelists shared personal experiences of recognizing when conservative therapies were no longer enough, when surgery became the right choice, or when non-surgical management remained the best path. The overarchi...

The April Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was a full-on “compression session,” focusing on one of the most important (and sometimes most frustrating) parts of managing lymphedema: compression. Featuring special guest  Suzie Ehmann, DPT, CLWT, CWS, CLT–LANA , co-author of the S.T.R.I.D.E. algorithm, this conversation breaks down the different types of compression garments and how to choose the right...

The April Research Roundtable explored the complex relationship between lymphedema, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and chronic wound healing, highlighting why clinicians need to look beyond the surface when evaluating a wound. Special guest  Dr. M. Mark Melin  joined host  Dr. Karen Herbst  to discuss how lymphatic dysfunction is present in nearly every chronic wound, particularly in the surro...

The March Lipedema Patient Roundtable brought together a dynamic group of experts and advocates to share education, updates, and practical strategies in recognition of Lymphedema Awareness Month. The discussion featured  Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT —a certified lymphedema therapist and contributor to  the U.S. Standard of Care for Lipedema . A key focus of the conversation was clarifying the distinc...

In recognition of Lymphedema Awareness Month, this Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explored the latest developments in lymphedema and lymphatic research. Joined by special guests  Maureen McBeth ,  Amy Rivera , and  Tora Rocha , the panel discussed exciting advancements in bioimpedance spectroscopy and advanced imaging, AI, pediatric treatment research, and new projects through the NIH and ARPA-H. T...

In honor of Lymphedema Awareness Month, the March Research Roundtable featured  Dr. Philip Brazio , Co-Director of the LE&RN Comprehensive Lymphedema Center of Excellence at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, in conversation with  Dr. Karen Herbst  on advances in lymphedema treatment and the expanding role of surgical and comprehensive care. Dr. Brazio began by clarifying what lym...

February’s Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on two deeply connected themes: intentional self-care and the power of collaborative, respectful healthcare. The evening opened with an honest acknowledgment that life with chronic illness is often busy, painful, and overwhelming—which is precisely why creating moments of calm is essential, not indulgent. A powerful reminder surfaced early on: self-ca...

Our February Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was a heartfelt evening dedicated to the people who help carry the load. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, patients and their chosen support persons—partners, family members, and friends—came together for an open, honest conversation about love in action: what caregiving really looks like, how support is experienced on both sides, and how communication sh...

In recognition of Heart Health Month,  Dr. Karen Herbst  and guest  Dr. John Chuback  explored the vital role of the cardiovascular system—arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, venules, and the heart itself—in overall health and disease. This Research Roundtable centered on a shared interest in vascular function and how blood vessel health impacts systemic conditions. The discussion highlighte...

The January Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on the importance of sleep and its powerful impact on mental, emotional, and physical health. Special guest  Leslyn Keith, OTD, CLT-LANA —an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience treating lymphatic and fat disorders—shared her clinical expertise and practical insights on the role of rest in overall well-being. During the discussion,...

The January Lymphedema Patient Roundtable kicked off the new year with an honest, patient-centered conversation about living with lymphedema and easing into 2026 with support and shared experience. The discussion focused heavily on compression in real life, building on insights from  the January Research Roundtable  and the STRIDE framework for compression selection. Panelists shared candid experi...

This Research Roundtable opened with a powerful reframing of compression therapy, challenging the long-held belief that compression is simply a sleeve, stocking, or pressure number. While compression does influence the vascular system, the discussion highlighted that its most meaningful effects may occur at the cellular level. Rather than merely moving fluid, compression—particularly stiff and tex...

The holiday season can be stressful, so this edition of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable aimed to provide a respite from tension. The evening began with a grounding lipedema meditation led by guest  Kristy Dellacroce, MS, OTR/L, MLD-C . The discussion explored “out-of-the-box” ways to manage stress, with panelists sharing what helps them find calm amid chaos—everything from humor and playing with a...

It was the final Lymphedema Patient Roundtable of 2025, wrapped in a little Lymphmas cheer! The panel came together for a warm, insightful hour covering everything from managing holiday stress to navigating the chilly season with lymphedema. They discussed boundary-setting, winter routines, and the small joys that kept them grounded, while attendees chimed in with thoughtful comments and questions...

Achieving maximal edema reduction before lymphatic microsurgery is essential for optimal surgical outcomes. Dr. Corrado Campisi, a pioneer in lymphatic microsurgery, welcomes patients from around the world to the Campisi Clinic in Genoa, Italy, for multiple lymphatic-venous anastomosis (MLVA) and other advanced procedures. Patients preparing for MLVA at the Campisi Clinic undergo intensive inpatie...

This Friendsgiving-season Lipedema Patient Roundtable welcomed special guest  Virginia Ziulu , nutritional therapist and inflammation specialist from  Virginia’s Health Corner , joining live from Ireland. The panel explored mast cell activation, chronic inflammation, hormones, and the emotional realities of living with lipedema. Virginia explained what mast cells are, why they sometimes become “ov...

The November Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was overflowing with gratitude as panelists and attendees discussed a range of topics, including managing lymphedema during the holidays, the unique challenges faced by veterans with lymphedema, and the importance of community support. Guest  Brittanee Wright  shared her journey toward a lipolymphedema diagnosis, highlighting how vital self-advocacy and a...

Dr. Melissa Aldrich  and guest host  Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA , explored cutting-edge research on imaging and lymphatic dysfunction at the November Research Roundtable. From studying breast cancer patients at high risk for developing lymphedema to investigating the immunological changes that contribute to the condition, Dr. Aldrich shared valuable insights for both clinicians and patients...

The October Lipedema Patient Roundtable focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, welcoming  Dr. Molly Sleigh , one of the authors of  the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States  and an expert in both breast cancer and lipedema, to the panel. Dr. Sleigh discussed how the daily, chronic effects of lipedema can sometimes mask other health conditions, delaying diagnosis and treatment. She...