The Lympha Press Podcast

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...

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. “...