The Lympha Press Podcast

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the October Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explores how breast cancer and lymphedema intersect and why awareness is so important for prevention and early management. Keeping with the spirit of the autumnal season, panelists and attendees swap their favorite “tricks and treats” for managing lymphedema, dispel common myths that continue to haunt lymphedema c...

Join  Dr. Karen Herbst  and  Dr. Nicholas Pennings  for the October edition of the Research Roundtable. This enlightening discussion explores the complexities of obesity—its definition beyond BMI, its relationship to conditions like lipedema and lymphedema, and the importance of personalized, comprehensive care. Dr. Pennings, Executive Director of Clinical Education and Master Fellow of  the Obesi...

The American Lipedema Association (ALA)  took center stage at the September Lipedema Patient Roundtable. Founder  Susan O’Hara , Board Vice President  Carina Johannessen , and Board Member/Education Lead  Constance Boyer, M.S. , shared a preview of the topics they will present at the upcoming World Lipedema Congress in Rome this November. Their focus: the role of patient organizations, the importa...

At the September Lymphedema Patient Roundtable, the panel dove into some real-life topics that don’t always get the spotlight. In recognition of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, they talked openly about genital lymphedema—what to look out for, how it can be managed, and ways to start those sometimes difficult conversations with your care team. The panel also shared ideas on how to enjoy “pamper...

What are the molecular hallmarks of lipedema? That question was the focus of the September Research Roundtable with  Dr. Leon Straub , whose recent research paper identified key molecular features of the disease. The study, “ Defining lipedema’s molecular hallmarks by multi-omics approach for disease prediction in women ,” was funded by the Lipedema Foundation, and  Dr. Karen Herbst  contributed a...

Hippocrates once said,  “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  At the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, we explore every tool that can help make life with lipedema more manageable, and the August Roundtable placed a special focus on food and nutrition. We welcomed a dynamic duo of guests whose presentations at the 2025 Fat Disorders Resource Society Conference left a lasting impression....

It’s almost back-to-school season, and the August Lymphedema Patient Roundtable brought their favorite things for a show-and-tell of their must-have items for managing their lymphedema. From compression garments and elevation pillows to moisturizers and massagers, the panel covered it all! Attendees in the chat asked questions that prompted discussion on the different types of nighttime compressio...

Olympic champion Michael Phelps brought negative pressure therapy—often known as cupping—into the spotlight during the 2016 Olympics. Since then, this therapy has gained attention for its ability to soften fibrotic tissues and stimulate the lymphatic system. Lympha Press has taken this concept further by  uniquely combining positive pressure (pneumatic compression therapy) with negative pressure (...

July’s Lipedema Patient Roundtable featured a powerful conversation on a topic that’s top of mind for many in the community: menopause and lipedema. Our special guest,  Celia Egan, MD, MSCP, DABOM , is a dedicated advocate for women’s metabolic health and the Director of Obesity Medicine & Metabolic Health at True Women’s Health in Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Egan’s recent talk at the 2025 Fat Disor...

The July Lymphedema Patient Roundtable featured an honest, uplifting conversation about the everyday realities of living with lymphedema. From personal wins to tough questions, this session highlighted the strength of community and the power of shared experience. Highlights from this month’s session include  Olivia Eggers ’ inspiring experience volunteering at  Camp Watchme , a summer camp for chi...

“It’s a really cool time to be in this field,” said  Dr. David Amron  during July’s Research Roundtable, hosted by  Dr. Karen Herbst . This session drew a record number of questions from an engaged audience of both patients and clinicians, reflecting the strong interest in the topic: fibrosis in lymphedema and lipedema. This is a particular area of expertise for Dr. Amron, who has performed over 1...

On the 5th anniversary of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, the panel took an honest look at how fatphobia impacts those living with lipedema. Special guest  Nathalie Mahood , a lipedema patient and a professional pursuing licensure as an independent clinical social worker, spoke about the deep effects of shame on mental health and the importance of reframing how we think about health and weight. “...

The June Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was full of great questions and thoughtful discussion covering a wide range of topics, from the challenges of getting insurance approval for compression garments to managing symptoms during summer heat. The panel also addressed hair loss related to lymphedema and how it impacts different parts of the body, and how to handle curious questions about your swelli...

The Research Roundtable is a monthly opportunity for Lympha Press’s Chief Medical Officer,  Dr. Karen Herbst , to interview thought leaders about their latest research. In honor of Lipedema Awareness Month, June’s Research Roundtable spotlighted Dr. Herbst’s  latest study, published in the peer-reviewed journal  Life .  The research shows that regular at-home use of an advanced pneumatic compressi...

Pelvic floor health took center stage at the May Lipedema Patient Roundtable, featuring special guest  Tami Faris, OTR/L, CLT-LANA , who brought her expertise and insights from her powerful  Fat Disorders Resource Society  Conference presentation. Tami discussed how pelvic floor issues like pain and incontinence are common in lipedema patients. She guided the audience through diaphragmatic breathi...

Living with lymphedema isn’t just a physical challenge — it can take a real emotional toll, too. In this month’s Lymphedema Patient Roundtable, the panel explored the mental health side of life with lymphedema in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. From the invisible toll of stigma and medical dismissal to the emotional rollercoaster of flare-ups and setbacks, our panelists and attendees share...

A pioneer in lymphatic supermicrosurgery,  Dr. Wei F. Chen  of the Cleveland Clinic is pushing the boundaries of medicine, combining groundbreaking research with deep compassion for patients. His work not only advances our understanding of the human body but also opens new therapeutic possibilities with the potential to transform countless lives. In this compelling conversation with  Dr. Karen Her...

Workplace advocacy, self-care, and community connection were the focus of the April Lipedema Patient Roundtable, featuring special guest  Susan O’Hara , founder of  the American Lipedema Association (ALA) . This nonprofit is led by individuals living with lipedema, along with medical professionals, researchers, and advocates, all united to empower patients and raise awareness and understanding of...

From improving your “lymphatic literacy” to navigating insurance hurdles, the conversation at the April Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was in full bloom with practical tips for living well with lymphedema. What do you do if your new garments don’t fit quite right? What role does BMI play in lymphedema surgery and recovery? And how do you manage the mental and physical effects of the changing season...

In our April Research Roundtable,  Dr. Karen Herbst  and  Dr. Lindy McHutchison  explored the often-overlooked role of vein disease in conditions like lymphedema and lipedema. From restless, heavy, and burning legs to cramping and chronic discomfort, the discussion shed light on frequently misunderstood symptoms—and what can actually help. Dr. McHutchison’s father, who was also a doctor, always sa...

Lympha Press created the Lipedema Patient Roundtables to support lipedema patients. The power of this community was never more evident than at the March 19th Roundtable.  Just days before, the lipedema world was shocked by  the sudden passing of  Pattie Cornute , founder of  Lipedema Fitness  and one of the original anchors of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable. In light of this great loss, the hour...

March may be  Lymphedema Awareness Month , but as the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable panel said: Every month is Lymphedema Awareness Month when you live with or treat lymphedema! In the spirit of lymphedema awareness, panelists and attendees discussed what awareness means to them and the misconceptions they’ve encountered while living with this condition. They also shared the little changes in thei...

Dr. Rachelle Crescenzi , a translational imaging scientist and founder of  the Sodium Adipose and Lymphatics Translational (SALT) Imaging Lab  at the University of Virginia, joined  Dr. Karen Herbst  at the March Research Roundtable for an engaging discussion on salt and physiology. The conversation highlighted research from Dr. Crescenzi’s lab and focused on the main tool in Dr. Crescenzi’s work:...

‘Twas the month before the  Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS)  Conference, and all through the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, the conversation was agog at the robust agenda! Joined by FDRS President and event organizer  Cheyenne Brinson , the Roundtable panel and attendees enjoyed previews of  Linda Anne Kahn ’s talk, “The Metabolic Link in Connective Tissue Disease and Fat Disorders: Unraveling...

Be still our hearts! The February Lymphedema Patient Roundtable had a full dance card with special guests and conversational topics centered around the theme of support. How do you build a support system? What happens when the support offered isn’t quite the support you need? And how do you nurture your sense of self amidst the sometimes overwhelming routine of lymphedema management? The panelists...