Living Well with Lipedema Surgery Simplified

In this episode, we explore a pivotal study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open (April 2021) titled Survey Outcomes of Lipedema Reduction Surgery in the United States . This research collected self-reported data from women with lipedema who underwent reduction surgery, focusing on improvements in quality of life, pain levels, and other outcomes. It highlights the importan...

Lipedema’s unique fat distribution can place excessive strain on leg joints, potentially leading to osteoarthritis. In this episode, we explore how improperly weighted joints impact mobility and discuss both conventional and surgical treatment options to alleviate joint pain and improve function.

This episode discusses how calorie restriction triggers a famine response, impacting hormones that regulate thyroid function, metabolism, and energy. Learn about the effects of these hormonal shifts and how to identify and address thyroid imbalances, including fatigue and weight fluctuations.

In this episode, Professor Tim Noakes, a renowned South African scientist and emeritus professor from the University of Cape Town, explores the evolution of the human diet. Drawing from his extensive research in sports science and his advocacy for a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet, Professor Noakes challenges conventional dietary wisdom. As an accomplished marathoner and author of groundbre...

In this episode, Dr. Dhruv Singhal, a leading expert in lymphatic reconstruction, uses a creative train analogy to simplify the complexities of lymphedema. As the Director of the Lymphatic Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Singhal shares insights from his groundbreaking work in immediate lymphatic reconstruction, a procedure ai...

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about a paper that discusses a potential pathway for chronic low-grade inflammation to occur in lipedema, which contributes to resistance to fat loss and promotes further adipose tissue expansion. The paper is titled, “Is the endotoxin–complement cascade the major driver in lipedema?” by Dr. Kruglikov from Germany and Dr. Scherer from the USA. It was published in the...

Despite progressing to stage 3 lipedema and facing mobility challenges, Raeann Sparks shares how cycling became her key to regaining independence. Prescribed 15 minutes of daily cycling to lubricate her knees, she embraced cycling, swimming, and walking with cycling-like motions. Today, Raeann can walk a mile unaided, proving that consistent movement can transform mobility and quality of life.

Take a moment for yourself with this 5-minute guided visualization. Sit back, breathe deeply, and let your awareness embrace your entire being—mind, body, and soul. Led by Catherine Seo, this exercise offers a gentle path to relaxation and self-discovery.

This Thanksgiving, we reflect on the many things we’re grateful for, no matter where you are in the world. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, there’s so much to celebrate. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

This episode highlights a 2020 study by researchers in Ankara, Turkey, published in Lymphatic Research and Biology . The study examines the impact of complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) combined with an intermittent pneumatic compression pump on reducing limb circumference and volume in lipedema patients. While limited by the absence of a control group, the findings suggest this combined appr...

Today, I have an excerpt from a presentation by Dr. Matthew Carmody at Lipedema Simplified’s April 2024 Heart to Heart virtual event: Keto and Beyond: Customizing Your Plan to Joyful Nutrition. His talk was titled: Semaglutide: Magic or Malevolent? Dr. Carmody is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He recently reti...

Discover the profound impact of diaphragmatic breathing in this calming episode with Catherine Seo. Learn how this simple yet powerful technique can help you relax, recharge, and restore balance in your everyday life.

In this episode, we revisit an inspiring 2019 Lipedema & Keto Worldwide Summit interview with low-carb dietitian Franziska Spritzler. Franziska shares her journey from conventional training to adopting a low-carb approach for herself and her patients. She offers insights into how this method can support those with lipedema—reminding us that progress may be slow, but perseverance pays off.

Today I’d like to tell you about a paper by a group of clinicians/researchers in Brazil including Drs. Alexandre and Juliana Amato and Dr. Daniel Benitti. The paper is titled, “The Efficacy of Ketogenic Diets (Low Carbohydrate; High Fat) as a Potential Nutritional Intervention for Lipedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” It was published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients in September...

In this episode, I’m sharing an eye-opening excerpt from our 2017 Lipedema & Keto Worldwide Summit. Investigative journalist and author Nina Teicholz ( The Big Fat Surprise ) dives into the "politics of fat," tracing the roots of the Diet-Heart Hypothesis and how it led to our fear of dietary fat.

Today’s episode dives into groundbreaking research from São Paulo, Brazil, where Drs. Amato, Saucedo, Santos, and Benitti explored the potential of ultrasound imaging to distinguish lipedema. Published in Phlebology (April 2021), their study examines how skin and tissue thickness measurements can enhance diagnostic precision. Join me to uncover how this innovative method could transform lipedema d...

In this episode, Raeann Sparks explains the five distinct types of lipedema, each with unique characteristics: Type 1: Resembles a “puffy diaper” effect, with lipedema fat around the hips. Type 2: Extends to the knees, similar to bloomers or joggers. Type 3: Reaches the ankles, like harem pants. Type 4: Affects only the arms, resembling mutton-chopped or poet sleeves. Type 5: Limited to the calves...

Today, I’d like to discuss a study led by Dr. Uwe Wollina and colleagues in Dresden, Germany, published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal's January/February 2021 issue. The article, titled Cause and Management of Lipedema-Associated Pain , explores the underlying causes of pain in lipedema, which the authors attribute to factors such as allodynia, heightened sympathetic nervous system responses,...

Today, we welcome guests Pamela and Brad Thompson, educators and certified practitioners in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping. They’ll share how tapping leverages the mind-body connection to achieve remarkable results. Brad often uses a file cabinet metaphor to explain how our stored emotions from the past can impact us in the present. In this episode, Pamela and Brad dive i...

Today, Dr. Carol Rowsemitt delves into Famine Response Hypothyroidism, discussing its unique impact on women with lipedema, including those on a ketogenic diet. Dr. Carol “Rosey” Rowsemitt, PhD, RN, FNP, began her career as a scientist focused on ecological physiology (holding a BA in chemistry and PhD in biology) before transitioning to practice as a family nurse practitioner. Since 2003, she has...

Today, I’d like to share insights from a study by a group of clinicians in Germany, published in the medical journal Phlebologie in 2019. The article, titled Effects of Aqua Cycling as Exercise Therapy for Lipoedema , highlights the benefits of aqua cycling—a form of stationary cycling where the bike is submerged underwater, with water typically reaching the rider’s waist to chest level. The autho...

I first connected with Leslyn at the National Institutes of Health’s inaugural international symposium on the lymphatic system, where she presented her research showing that a ketogenic diet could benefit individuals with obesity and lymphedema-related chronic conditions. This sparked a conversation on whether keto might also help with lipedema, given the scarcity of lipedema-specific research. Wh...

In this excerpt, Dr. Eric Westman shares insights from his Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, where he has seen patients with a variety of health conditions, including lymphedema and lipedema, achieve positive outcomes through a ketogenic diet. Dr. Westman, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University and board-certified in Obesity Medicine and Internal Medicine, founded the Duke Lifestyle Medici...

We’re excited to share about the publication of our article, "Ketogenic Diet as a Potential Intervention for Lipedema," released by Elsevier, one of the world’s leading medical publishers. This article was a collaborative effort by an outstanding team, and it examines how lipedema differs from obesity and lymphedema, along with its symptoms and diagnosis. We explore the potential of the ketogenic...

Today, I’d like to share an excerpt from Dr. Matthew Carmody’s presentation at the Lipedema Simplified Summer Boot Camp, held in June 2022 as part of Lipedema Awareness Month. Dr. Carmody, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, recently retired from his practice in Internal Medicine to concentrate on lipedema and obesit...