Shows
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: December 2025It 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. The group reflected on their wins and challenges from 2025, shared gentle goals for the new year, and upheld their annual tradition of asking: What are you wishing for from Lymphie Santa this year?If you’re looking fo...
2025-12-161h 01The Lympha Press PodcastDecember 2025 Research Roundtable: Benefits of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Pre-Surgical Treatment with Dr. Corrado CampisiAchieving 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 inpatient decongestive therapy to maximally reduce edema volume prior to surgery. This protocol, called the Campisi Method, includes advanced intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy. A published study from the Campisi Clinic demonstrated that pre-surgical IPC with the Lympha Press Optimal Plus, alongside complete decongestive therapy (CDT...
2025-12-0959 minThe Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: September 2025At 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 “pampering” activities like facials, manicures, pedicures, or massages safely while staying mindful of lymphedema management and communicating needs to providers.The Roundtable wrapped up with some practical takeaways, from smart tips on storing your pne...
2025-09-2356 minThe Lympha Press PodcastAugust 2025 Research Roundtable: Negative Pressure TherapyOlympic 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 (via Lympha Touch) as an adjunct to its Optimal Plus pump. August Research Roundtable guest Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, CLT-LANA, calls this combination “a dream come true” for those seeking innovative tools to treat and manage lymphedema and lipedema both in the clinic...
2025-08-1259 minThe Lympha Press PodcastJune 2025 Research Roundtable: Q&A with Lipedema Study AuthorsThe 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 compression device (APCD) significantly reduces leg volume, adipose tissue thickness, and fluid in women with lipedema while also easing pain and improving quality of life.In this session, Dr. Herbst is joined by study co-authors Dr. Lindy McHutchison...
2025-06-101h 00The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: May 2025Pelvic 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 breathing techniques and offered mental strategies to help “train the bladder” and manage urgency. These breathing exercises also help stimulate the vagus nerve, which can help with anxiety. She also introduced simple “squeeze” exercises to help reduce urge incontinence.Linda Anne...
2025-05-271h 00The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: February 2025‘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 the Intersections of Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and Chronic Disease,” Cara Cruz‘s session “Love After Nodules,” which she’ll be presenting alongside her fiancé Levi Garrett, and Brenda Viola‘s keynote address, “Finding Joy in the Journey: A Message of Hope.”Pas...
2025-02-251h 03The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: February 2025Be 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 and attendees shared their thoughts, noting that this monthly meet-up is an important part of their support systems, too.The hour sped by with discussions of topics such as managing ly...
2025-02-181h 02
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: December 2024It’s beginning to look a lot like Lymphmas at the December Lymphedema Patient Roundtable! The panelists were joined by special guest Evy Dominguez, a roller-skating primary lymphedema patient whose positive outlook is as bright as the colorful compression she wears.
Panelists and attendees mused on a wish list to “Lymphie Santa” and set their intentions for the new year while answering questions on topics like comfortable compression, traveling with lymphedema, and more. Then, Karen Ashforth closed the evening with a cozy holiday reflection.
Special thanks to our Roundtable elves this month:
Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L...
2024-12-1759 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: November 2024Exploding bacteria, grounding mats, Lympha Press “fill to fit” feature, and sciatica... Just when you think they’ve covered every possible topic over five years, the Lipedema Patient Roundtable serves up a feast of topics for Thanksgiving month! One of the special guests at the table was Dr. Leslyn Keith (@leslynkeith), the Director of Research for The Lipedema Project. She offered an overview of some of the most thought-provoking research regarding lipedema in the past year, with insights on inflammation, endotoxins, and the impact of hypermobility on sciatica.
Katie Glynn, CLT-LANA, of @ThreeBluebirdsKC is an expert on the to...
2024-11-261h 03
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: November 2024The November Lymphedema Patient Roundtable celebrated the theme of "lymphatic gratitude," with panelists and attendees reflecting on the unexpected gifts and lessons learned in their lymphedema lives.
The holidays are around the corner, and the panel shared some tips for managing their lymphedema during the changes in routine so they can have a swell time, not a swollen time. The hour continued to fly by with conversations around topics like surgery, cellulitis, and self-advocacy. Then, to close the evening, Karen Ashforth led the group in a mindful meditation focused on gratitude.
A heartfelt thank-you to...
2024-11-1959 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: October 2024October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable spent their hour together spotlighting cancer-related lymphedema, from risk factors and symptoms to diagnosis and treatment. The panel also answered questions about fibrosis, wounds, and compression garments.
Special thanks to our panelists this month:
Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA (@karenashforth_cltlana)
Alexa Ercolano, Lymphedema Patient and Lympha Press Marketing and Communications Associate (@lymphielife)
Angela Jones, Lipolymphedema Patient and Health Coach (@2018gethealthy)
Catherine Rosenberg, Lymphedema Patient (@crosenberg1982)
Nasreen Starner, OTR/L, CLT (@nasreenstarner)
Resources and links mentioned in this video:
LE&RN Resource Center: https://lymphaticnetwork.org/resource...
2024-10-2257 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: September 2024How did Lipedema Patient Roundtable regular attendee Marcia Witt finally get her Lympha Press Optimal Plus? The September episode “connected the dots” between her desire for a Lympha Press, how she became connected to her local LP representative, how that connection worked with her doctor’s office to ensure proper insurance documentation, and how her device is making life better since receiving it!
David DiBacco, the Lympha Press territory manager for her geographic region, was on hand to explain the process and also how Lympha Press helps set up the device in the patient’s home, teaches them how to...
2024-09-241h 03
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: September 2024It’s back-to-school season, and class was in session at the September Lymphedema Patient Roundtable!
On the syllabus was Lymphedema Treatment 101 with certified lymphedema therapist Karen Ashforth, a spotlight on community-building with Veronica Seneriz, Patient Services Director at the Lymphatic Education & Resource Network, and a session on “being your own guinea pig” with lipolymphedema patient Angela Jones. The patients and therapists on the panel also shared some of their biggest lessons learned when it comes to living with and managing lymphedema.
A heartfelt thank-you to this month’s panel:
Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA (...
2024-09-181h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: July 2024From GLP-1 drugs and surgical treatments to getting the courage to wear compression garments in public, it was conversational fireworks at the July Lymphedema Patient Roundtable! The panel was joined by special guest Dave DiBacco, whose near-decade of experience with Lympha Press has made him a wealth of information on the devices and insurance.
Can a compression pump help venous insufficiency? How often should one pump? And is there such a thing as pumping too much? Dave and lymphedema therapists Karen Ashforth and Nasreen Starner shared their insights on these questions and more.
Then, in what’...
2024-07-1659 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: April 2024Spring has sprung, and the April Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was blooming with conversation around themes of community and support! Special guest Veronica Seneriz from the Lymphatic Education and Research Network walked attendees through LE&RN's robust new Resource Center (proudly sponsored by Lympha Press), and Angela Jones urged everyone to connect with the things that bring you joy with the reminder "You are not your lymphedema."
At the end of the hour, Karen Ashforth led everyone in a relaxing manual lymphatic drainage session, walking the group through some of the core clearing that's common to all people...
2024-04-161h 02
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: March 2024Happy Lymphedema Awareness Month! Every month is Lymphedema Awareness Month at the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable, but even more so in March.
What does "lymphedema awareness" mean to you? And what about the butterfly, the symbol for lymphedema? The panel and attendees spent the hour engaged in inspiring conversation, along with a robust Q&A session on topics like compression garments, cellulitis, and surgery.
A special thank-you to our panelists this month:
Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA (@karenashforth_cltlana)
Alexa Ercolano, Lymphedema Patient and Lympha Press Marketing and Communications Associate (@lymphielife)
Angela Jones, Lipolymphedema Patie...
2024-03-191h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: February 2024From navigating relationships with lymphedema to the way loved ones support us in our lymphedema lives, to how we show ourselves and our lymphedema some love (even when it’s difficult to do so) – the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable had a lot to discuss this Valentine's Day Eve.
"If you don't communicate with yourself [about your condition], and you can't accept it for yourself, how can you expect anybody else to accept it for you?" posited Catherine Rosenberg.
"It's a hard conversation to have with yourself, but at the same time, it's an important one, because you...
2024-02-201h 06
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: January 2024Happy New Year! The Lymphedema Patient Roundtable kicked off 2024 with a robust conversation around lymphedema management, including complete decongestive therapy, wraps and bandages, and pneumatic compression pumps. A few folks in the chat even chimed in to say they were tuning in while using their Lympha Press — talk about multitasking!
The hot topic of the evening was the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which recently went into effect on January 1st. What does this federal law mean for Medicare beneficiaries? What sort of compression supplies are covered? And how long until other insurance plans adopt the new coverage guidelines?
...
2024-01-221h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: December 2023The spirit of the season was evident at the December Lipedema Patient Roundtable, and the gifts of encouragement and insight were plentiful.
Two special guests made the hour extra special: Lympha Press Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Herbst fielded a host of questions, from hormones and hair loss to prescriptions and pumping, while Sonya Louise, a coach who helps women with chronic illness navigate life, offered tactics for managing pain and finding purpose. "Placing your awareness on what doesn't hurt" was a powerful takeaway for the audience, and questions like "What signals that lipedema is progressing?" were also...
2023-12-261h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: December 2023Merry Lymphmas from the December Lymphedema Patient Roundtable! The holidays can sometimes be a difficult time, not just in managing our lymphedema but navigating the mental or emotional pangs of the season as well. The panel talked about some ways they handle these challenges, with attendees chiming in to share their own holly jolly tips.
From vibration plates, massage guns, and infrared blankets to the effects of alcohol on lymphedema, the conversation covered topics both naughty and nice! To wrap up the evening, everyone shared what they are asking “Lymphedema Santa” for this year and offered warm wishes...
2023-12-1959 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: November 2023Can you imagine not being able to go to the dentist because the patient chair is unsuitable for anyone over 300 pounds? Or having an aversion to calling an ambulance because you feel it’s too embarrassing to be placed on the gurney?
The challenges of lipedema are far from just physical. The emotional anguish associated with everyday life takes a mental toll. For women judged by their size and taunted by those who assume they need to eat less and exercise more, the monthly Lipedema Patient Roundtable proves to be a safe and uplifting environment to share thes...
2023-11-281h 03
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: November 2023The Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was bursting with “lymphatic gratitude” this month as the regular panel was joined by special guest Jasmine Zheng, MD, CLT, FAAPMR, from Penn Medicine!
What are central lymphatic issues? How might they present? What is the treatment? Dr. Zheng answered these questions and more, with Catherine Rosenberg providing helpful context from the patient’s perspective. Other topics covered by the panel were the benefits of wearing nighttime (quilted) compression garments while pumping, tips for managing your lymphedema over the holidays, and practicing “lymphatic gratitude” in our lymphedema lives.
A warm thank-you to our pan...
2023-11-211h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: October 2023It was a boo-tiful night to talk about lipedema, especially since Linda Anne Kahn had recently returned from the Lipedema World Congress in Germany, filled with insights and emerging research to share! Special guest Dr. Molly Sleigh also joined the panel with takeaways from her time at the National Lymphedema Network Conference in Philadelphia.
Cara Cruz shared the mind-bending “lipedema math” that can see 20 and 30 pounds of lipedema fat removed through surgery… and yet the scale doesn’t move. Also discussed were C-reactive proteins, self-massage, and the challenge of educating more general practitioners about lipedema so patients don’t ha...
2023-10-251h 02
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: October 2023With it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Roundtable falling on both World Mental Health Day and World Metabolic Health Day, there was much to discuss at the October Lymphedema Patient Roundtable!
To top it off, a number of our panelists just returned from the National Lymphedema Network Conference in Philadelphia and were eager to share insights and lessons learned from their time there as both faculty and attendees.
How can one improve gut health, especially after taking antibiotics? What are the pros and cons of using a pneumatic compression device? And how does...
2023-10-181h 11The Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Frank Aviles, PT, CWS, CLT-LANANamed the President of the Save a Leg, Save a Life Foundation (SALSAL) in 2022, Frank Aviles is passionate about the early diagnosis and treatment of wounds: “People don’t realize that they should treat a wound just as they would a cancer diagnosis. They need to go directly to someone who specializes in wound care.”
The non-profit’s 14-member board is comprised of “the brightest minds in wound care” and the vision for the organization is to give patients a voice and provide them with education so they can advocate for themselves. One of SALSAL’s recent innovations? Pat...
2023-10-0325 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: September 2023Class is officially in session at the September Lymphedema Patient Roundtable, and the syllabus covered everything from finding a support system and staying encouraged while managing lymphedema, to an interesting conversation on the Perrin Technique, an osteopathic approach that manually stimulates the fluid motion around the brain and spinal cord.
The 2023 National Lymphedema Network Conference is right around the corner, and guest panelist Louisa Boyd — a certified lymphedema therapist and NLN Board of Directors member — offered a sneak peek of what to expect. Not only will there be exciting research on brain lymphatics shared by Dr. Wei Chen...
2023-09-191h 03The Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Dr. Karen HerbstDriven by curiosity her entire life, Karen Herbst was fascinated with the idea of fat since childhood: Where does it come from? How could some people live on a diet of fruits and vegetables and yet have disproportionate fat deposits? Her academic life and subsequent degrees were fueled by her quest for knowledge and inspired by mentors who encouraged her to ask questions, research the answers, and "figure it out."
Now the leading authority on lipedema, she's motivated to "figure it out - faster" because her core mission is to help people. In fact, her favorite success...
2023-08-2926 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: August 2023This episode of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable was as hot as the month of August! Our anchor panelists have made waves since we last gathered: The Lippy Butterfly, Angelique Charles, discussed the amazing article she authored about lipedema on HuffPost.com that is bringing widespread validation to many whose doctors told them to “just lose weight.”
Pale Ginger Pear shared her surprise that she’s on the rebound (not that kind of rebound!) and likes to use her rebounder as a tool to manage her condition and have fun at the same time. Another tool discussed was yoga s...
2023-08-221h 21
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: August 2023The panelists changed things up at the August Lymphedema Patient Roundtable by introducing a new format featuring a panelist chat and a Q&A open forum followed by the first-ever “Lymphedema Patient Roundtable Call-in Show”!
Did you know we have 600-700 lymph nodes in our body, the majority of which are in our gut? Certified lymphedema therapist Karen Ashforth led a fascinating conversation on the connection between digestion issues and the lymphatic system, with panelists and attendees chiming in to share their own experiences with food sensitivities. There was also an impassioned discussion about advocating yourself at the do...
2023-08-151h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastI'm Worth The Bother: The Francine Schwartz InterviewThis interview was recorded in June 2021.
"I was so grateful to learn that there was such a thing as lipedema." At one point, Francine Schwartz was 425 pounds. Doctor after doctor just told her to "lose the weight." Peri-menopause exacerbated her condition and she says, "I was heading toward a wheelchair."
A former dresser on Broadway, she spent her career looking after others. One of her main messages is that she had to learn to advocate for herself and she encourages others to do the same. Once she learned about lipedema, she was fortunate to find...
2023-08-0122 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: July 2023Two new hashtags were birthed following the July Lipedema Patient Roundtable's riveting discussion: #DoTheThing and #WearTheThing were shared by Pattie Cornute and Pale Ginger Pear. The message? Don't talk yourself out of trying something new for fear of what other people will think. Pattie's Lipedema Fitness group just celebrated its 10th anniversary! And the panelists also helped Brenda Viola say goodbye to her fifties, with an outpouring of love (and flowers).
What do you do when traveling and your compression pump and other treatment tools are not available? Water! Expert guest Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA, talked...
2023-07-251h 05
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: July 2023It’s summertime and a lot of people are going on vacation, but as we all know: lymphedema does not take a break. Whether going down the shore or traveling across the globe, the panelists and attendees at the July Lymphedema Patient Roundtable shared some great tips for managing lymphedema away from home.
From compression garments and bandages to tips on how to find a certified lymphedema therapist, the conversation was bursting with information and resources. There's a lot to be pumped about this summer, too, with Catherine Rosenberg sharing an update on her recent suction-assisted lipectomy su...
2023-07-191h 04The Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Catherine Seo, PhD“I was headed for a wheelchair.” So began Catherine Seo’s lipedema journey at perimenopause. A surgical procedure left her with lymphedema and emotional distress: “I cried and cried and asked so many questions my surgeon ‘fired’ me.”
A researcher and communicator, Seo devoured Michael and Ethel Földi’s “Textbook of Lymphology” on the lymphatic system and found a chapter on lipedema that changed her life. When she saw photos of and gathered with others who also had lipedema, she describes an “incredible exhale” at “finally seeing people like me.”
Her education included a documentary class and, when i...
2023-07-1134 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: June 2023With thirty-six episodes in the vault, the Lipedema Patient Roundtable celebrated its third anniversary with some trips down memory lane. A special guest in honor of Lipedema Awareness Month was Paula Donahue, PT, DPT, MBA, CLT-LANA, one of the authors of the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States. She fielded a host of questions about active and passive compression, heat or burning/tingling in limbs, how to raise awareness, and much more.
Lotions and a Lippy Butterfly potion, silver linings of jeans not ripping (!), and how to deal with being overwhelmed were also discussed...
2023-06-271h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: June 2023June is both Wound Care Awareness Month and Lipedema Awareness Month, and the panelists and attendees at the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable had a lot to talk about along with additional topics such as compression garments, medical pedicures, and staying cool in the summer heat.
What causes wounds? How can lymphedema patients prevent them? And if you do develop wounds, what can you do to treat them? Panelists Angela Jones and Catherine Rosenberg weighed in from personal experience, while lymphedema therapist Karen Ashforth offered helpful insights on antibacterial and barrier creams.
Not every lymphedema patient has...
2023-06-201h 00The Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Leslyn Keith, OTD, CLT-LANALeslyn Keith started out as an occupational therapist but was seeking a focus that yielded more measurable results. “I am left-brain oriented and nebulous results weren’t satisfying to me,” she says in this insightful interview.
As fate would have it, she was soon introduced by a mentor to lymphedema therapy and knew she was going to devote herself to helping these patients. “I could see their limb volume reduce substantially in one session, and I was hooked,” she adds.
Her curiosity and interest in the obesity epidemic led to her doctoral pursuit and a host of pu...
2023-06-1332 minThe Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Lisa Berman Sylvestri, MSPT, CLT-LANAA patient whose breast cancer led to lymphedema changed the course of physical therapist Lisa Sylvestri’s career focus: “My goal is that every cancer patient be given a chance to live their best life,” she says. Part of fulfilling this mission was becoming a certified lymphedema therapist and opening Oasis Physical Therapy and Wellness in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To her fellow clinicians, she says, “Go for it!” and to patients, she says, “Ask for it!” She encourages patients to be their own advocates and not to dismiss signals that their bodies are giving them that require at...
2023-06-0619 minThe Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Betty Westbrook, PTA, CLTWith five seasons and over 100 episodes, the Lymphedema Podcast is a rich resource for both patients and clinicians alike. Founder Betty Westbrook, PTA, CLT, started the podcast because she wanted to be able to direct her patients to information they could listen to after they left her care. “It also kept me from repeating myself,” she says, jokingly. But it turned into so much more.
Since the podcast’s 2019 launch, Westbrook has covered topics ranging from cellulitis, bandaging, sexual challenges, and grief with leading experts. In the process, her “always be professional” mantra shifted to “never forget to show you...
2023-05-3025 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: May 2023Mental health is as important as physical health, especially when living with a chronic condition like lymphedema. In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, panelists and attendees at the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable opened up about their own mental health journeys and how they support their emotional well-being alongside their physical.
Joining the panelists on the other side of the virtual table was regular attendee Fenton Groff, who shared his story peppered with insights on how he manages his mental health together with his lymphedema.
The hour flew by as the conversation continued to...
2023-05-161h 03The Lympha Press PodcastLympha Press Leadership Series: Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA“Love is the greatest ingredient in healing.”
That’s just one of the gems from this insightful interview with Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR, CLT-LANA. Giving hope as well as the tools to manage chronic conditions has been Karen’s mission for over 40 years. A problem solver at heart who enjoys coming up with “new recipes for treatment no one has thought of yet” makes her training sessions riveting. Her passion for education and a desire to “put lymphedema in remission” make her work with patients and clinicians effective.
A lifelong learner who encourages people to keep looking for...
2023-05-0916 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: Special Fat Disorders Resource Society Conference Recap 2023This special edition of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable was all about beating the post-conference blues! Joining our regular panelists were patient speakers from the Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference, including:
Wyckham Avery (@wyckhamavery)
Sarah Bramblette (@born2lbfat)
Hiba Hamati (@hibs800)
Beth Rylaarsdam (@curvygirlbeth)
Jenn Sephton (@livingwithlippy_public)
From learning to "pivot," walking into a doctor's appointment with the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the US, wearing clothes that make you feel great, and celebrating the passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act — this special edition of the Roundtable encouraged all who attended to know their worth an...
2023-05-021h 05
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: April 2023The April Lipedema Patient Roundtable was jam-packed with information and inspiration as each anchor panelist shared their biggest takeaway from the recent Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference. Special guest Dr. Omar Beidas from Advent Health shared insights about lipedema surgery and answered questions about chronic venous insufficiency, BMI, and other factors when considering surgery. His local Lympha Press Compression Therapy Consultant, Rich Bradley, talked about the important relationship between reps and doctors, as well as lymphedema and other therapists. Both shared success stories and their commitment to helping lipedema patients.
In response to questions from the...
2023-04-251h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: April 2023Spring has sprung, and the April Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was buzzing with questions from attendees on topics ranging from tips for donning garments, managing swelling after knee replacement surgery, and mobility aids for lower extremity lymphedema. Plus, Amanda Sobey gave an exciting recap of the Lymphedema Association of Manitoba's celebrations — and wins — during Lymphedema Awareness Month.
What's the difference between compression garments, bandages, and wraps? Can we use hot tubs if we have lymphedema? And how do you deal with a doctor who won't listen to you about your lymphedema? The hour flew by as panelists discussed thes...
2023-04-181h 01The Lympha Press PodcastThe Leadership Series: Katina Kirby, OT, CLT-LANAKatina Kirby’s greatest wish is that she’ll be out of a job someday. “A day when there is a cure for lymphedema is the highest hope,” she says in this enlightening interview.
Her career started as an occupational therapist, and when the opportunity arose for lymphedema therapist training, she raised her hand. Katina loved helping patients, though 25 years ago a lymphedema diagnosis was met with skepticism in the medical community. “This is just post-surgical swelling…” she heard, though the surgery in question had been four years previous.
Truly, awareness and treatment have come a long way. Ka...
2023-04-1121 minThe Lympha Press PodcastFigure Out the “Why?”: The M. Mark Melin InterviewDr. Mark Melin wanted to be an astronaut, and now he studies space as part of his groundbreaking work in lymphedema and wounds.
Find out how his personal experience led to his profession, and be inspired by his fervor for patients to advocate for themselves.
A call to join the American Vein & Lymphatic Society and a host of “shout outs” to people he is inspired by inform this captivating interview.
This interview was recorded in March 2023. You can watch a video recording of the interview on the Lympha Press USA Channel on YouTube.
2023-04-0422 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: March 2023March is Lymphedema Awareness Month! Every Lymphedema Patient Roundtable is about lymphedema awareness, but the March Roundtable was especially pumped with conversation around life with lymphedema.
The panel was joined by Steve Kantor, founder of Medical Solutions Supplier, and lymphedema patient and advocate Veronica Seneriz, who many know through her group, Lymphie Strong, and her role as Patient Services Director at the Lymphatic Education and Research Network.
Panelists and attendees reflected on their lymphedema journeys and shared the lessons they’ve learned — and are still learning — along the way, and Veronica spoke about her unique experienc...
2023-03-281h 09The Lympha Press PodcastThe Power of Advocacy: William Repicci, President and CEO, LE&RN“I like putting puzzles together,” remarked Lymphatic Education & Research Network President and CEO William Repicci during this Lympha Press Leadership Series interview.
His story is remarkable: From Alaska to Africa; a background in psychology and Broadway plays to his current role with Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN); every stop in his journey prepared him to be an effective advocate for lymphatic causes.
When responding to a vague job description, he eventually turned down the offer because “I knew nothing about lymphedema.” But as he learned 10 million people were affected by a disease that had litt...
2023-03-1424 minThe Lympha Press PodcastAlchemy in Action: The Kathleen Lisson InterviewIn this installment of the Lympha Press Leadership Series, learn more about Kathleen Lisson, CLT, and how her desire to help reduce the side effects of her mother’s cancer led her first to massage therapy, then manual lymph drainage, and certification as a lymphedema therapist.
A contributor to the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States and a prolific author, Lisson is fueled by curiosity. “I want to wake up every day with the intention of learning something new,” she says.
Patients will be inspired by her respect for them; in fact, she sa...
2023-03-0724 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: February 2023Love is usually in the air at the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, but extra doses were served up with the addition of Kathleen Lisson, CLT, to the panel as a special Valentine’s guest. As one of the authors of the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States, she adeptly answered questions from the audience, including how to best deal with pain, what to look for when considering surgery, and even led the group in a beautiful meditation to end the program.
Attendees were interested in the Lympha Press Optimal Plus, and panelists encouraged that, when it...
2023-02-281h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: February 2023Hearts weren't the only thing pumping at the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable this Valentine's Day: With Medical Solutions Supplier founder Steve Kantor at the virtual table, the conversation was pumped on the topic of pneumatic compression therapy!
How can one ensure they get the most out of their treatment sessions with their pump? What's the difference between the pumps you see in the drug store or online versus pumps like Lympha Press? And what is the "wave" setting? With Steve's pneumatic compression know-how, certified lymphedema therapist Karen Ashforth's clinical expertise, and our patient panelists providing their own first-hand...
2023-02-211h 01The Lympha Press PodcastMembership Makes a Difference: The Dean Bender InterviewIn this fascinating interview with American Vein & Lymphatic Society (AVLS) Executive Director Dean Bender, he recalls, “In 2004, most of our membership couldn’t spell lymphedema, let alone diagnose it.”
Much has changed for the better since then, and Bender details how AVLS offers Advocacy, Research, and Education to its members. The role of the Foundation to fund mission-critical initiatives, how a name change ensured that lymphedema would be viewed as important as venous disease, and his vision for American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognition of venous and lymphatic medicine as a stand-alone medical specialty were discussed.
...
2023-01-3126 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: January 2023It took panelist Jenny Beaujean 45 years to get a diagnosis. May it never take anyone that long again!
The Lipedema Patient Roundtable made good on its 2023 resolution by bringing in special guests to add leading-edge information to the monthly conversations. Guy Eakin, Chief Science Officer for Lipedema Foundation, answered questions about research initiatives and the Lipedema Patient Registry. His colleague, Kathy Doherty, informed the audience about the newly released Lipedema Patient Bill of Rights, which can be found at lipedema.org. And guest April Sluder, who leads the group The Lipedema Journey, spoke about her Mindful Movement...
2023-01-2459 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: January 2023Happy 2023! The Lymphedema Patient Roundtable kicked off the new year by celebrating some major wins, from the passage of the Lymphedema Treatment Act into law to panelist Catherine Rosenberg's incredible progress after undergoing lymphovenous anastomosis surgery.
Panelists and attendees shared the different ways they are committing to their lymphedema management and self-care in the new year, such as figuring out which compression garments work best for them or finally making the call to set up a surgery consultation. The theme of "giving yourself grace" came up, along with the importance of finding and leaning on community. Other...
2023-01-171h 00The Lympha Press PodcastYou Can Be That Therapist: The Brandy McKeown InterviewAt the age of 21, Brandy McKeown was introduced to lymphedema therapy at a time when little was known about lymphedema. She says, “I fell in love… and we grew together.”
And grow she did, running several clinics and, ultimately, becoming a co-owner and CEO of the International Lymphedema and Wound Training Institute (ILWTI).
In this interview, Brandy, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CLWT, shares how ILWTI was on the forefront of teletraining, the only school of its type that includes wound care certification, and its unique focus on training students not only to be excellent therapists but also h...
2023-01-1021 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable: December 2022The December Lipedema Patient Roundtable had a festive air as the regular panelists presented their "Secret Santa Poems" to each other and The Lippy Butterfly, Angelique Charles, moved us all with a rendition of Silent Night. In between? Plenty of lipedema conversation, including the juxtaposition of movement and mindfulness, and an enlightening discussion about obesogens, which are chemicals that could influence or promote obesity in humans or animals. These are found in everyday household items like food containers, toys, cookware, personal care products, cleaning agents and medical supplies. Linda Anne Kahn and Siouxie Boshoff shared their extensive research on...
2022-12-271h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable: December 2022It's beginning to look a lot like lymph-mas at the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable! The December edition brought many gifts, including a recap of the recent National Lymphedema Network Conference, the importance of patient — and self — advocacy, and a candid conversation about the discouragement or frustration that can sometimes accompany life with a chronic condition.
As folks shared their strategies for coping and staying positive, Roundtable regular Fenton Groff offered this inspiring message in the chat: "We all have personal struggles and stories from our chronic condition... but even though this disease process is progressive for me... I can...
2022-12-201h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastKnowledge is Power: The Jenny Beaujean Interview"You must be lying to me..."
That's what Jenny Beaujean's doctor said in response to her story that diet and exercise were having no effect on the swelling in her limbs.
It took a cat bite that triggered cellulitis at 50 years old for Jenny to finally get a lymphedema diagnosis and another 12 years for an expert to recognize that she also had lipedema.
Lifelines for her have been the social groups focusing on Lipedema and Food Sensitivities, Lipedema Fitness, Lymphie Strong, and Dances with Fat. The knowledge provided in these online communities...
2022-11-2929 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable (November 2022)Huge servings of gratitude and appreciation were at the pre-Thanksgiving Lipedema Patient Roundtable. How to stay motivated to "get up and move" and how PMS impacts lipedema patients were topics of conversation, as was how to don compression and how to keep hose from sliding down. Many new attendees had questions about preparing for a doctor's visit and how to go about getting a diagnosis.
Several members of the audience shared excitement about getting their new Lympha Press pump — and powerful conversation about not judging yourself for how your body looks brought emotions to the surface. This po...
2022-11-221h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (November 2022)November is the season of gratitude, and to celebrate, panelists and attendees gathered around our virtual Roundtable to share their own feelings of "lymphatic gratitude."
Joining the panel was Amy Beaith, a lymphedema patient and self-care herbalist whose insight and experience were especially appreciated during a discussion about herbs and supplements that may be helpful for lymphedema. Other topics covered during the hour were cellulitis, managing fibrosis, and surgery. And for those planning holiday travel, Catherine Rosenberg has you covered with more tips on traveling with lymphedema — and your compression pump!
In acknowledgment of Veterans Da...
2022-11-151h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Unstoppable Molly: The Molly Gallagher Interview“No stopping lipedema? No…it’s not stopping ME.”
A “beanpole” until puberty, Molly Gallagher’s legs felt and looked different after that hormonal juncture. She exercised compulsively and enjoyed success with the Keto diet, but hormone therapy as part of fertility treatment wreaked havoc with her body.
Leg pain, weird sensations, leg cramps, and lack of energy dealt her not just a physical but also an emotional blow.
A turning point was the care she received at Carolina Vein Center with Dr. Lindy McHutchison. “Have you ever heard of lipedema?” was a life-changing ques...
2022-11-0836 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lipedema Patient Roundtable (October 2022)It was a boo-tiful night as the panelists donned costumes for our annual Halloween episode. Everyone displayed their personalities with flair - from Ringmaster Pattie Cornute to the lovely Lippy Butterfly as... well, a butterfly! Perhaps the showstopper was Pale Ginger Pear who created an uncanny replication of Lympha Pants. (You've got to see it to believe it!)
Dr. Karen Herbst and Linda Anne Kahn offered an excellent overview of the highlights from the AVLS (American Vein and Lymphatic Society) Conference, including Lympha Press' groundbreaking symposium on how chronic illness impacts the mental health of both patients a...
2022-11-011h 01
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (October 2022)The weather may be cooling, but the conversation at the October Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was heating up with hot topics such as central lymphatics, the power of community, and the importance of mental health.
Panelists Kelly Bell and Alexa Ercolano talked about their experiences attending the recent Boston Lymphatic Symposium — and meeting Roundtable regular Fenton Groff! — while certified lymphedema therapist Betty Westbrook gave a sneak peek into an upcoming conference from the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network. Seasoned traveler Catherine Rosenberg shared a wealth of insider tips to make flying with lymphedema easier, and Angela Jones stressed the importance of s...
2022-10-181h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) I Was Born To Move: The Liz Saunders InterviewWhen the basketball team bullied this cheerleader by saying, “There’s tree trunk legs,” Liz Saunders became acutely aware that her body was different.
But that didn’t stop her.
A natural performer, she participated in dance and theatre, developed her singing gift, appeared in a national commercial, and entertained many with her renditions of the American songbook classics.
It took this 50-something-year-old adult several years to finally get a diagnosis after going to different doctors who said, “There’s nothing wrong with you.”
She persisted and found a doctor who not only diagn...
2022-10-1125 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) I Live in this Body and I Will Be Happy: The Lisa Lugo InterviewThe changes in her body at age 13 were so traumatic for Lisa Lugo that she developed an eating disorder — even starving herself for seven days in the hope of looking “like the other girls.”
A lifelong journey to discover what was going on with her body took a turn when she discovered the Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS), which led to finally being diagnosed with lipedema last August.
And when she heard about the Lympha Press? “I knew I had to have one.” “I felt the difference immediately…such a sense of relief and a decrease in fa...
2022-10-0421 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lipedema Patient Roundtable (September 2022)The Lipedema Patient Roundtable kicked it old skool, with panelists wearing their favorite band T-shirts from back in the day — from the Moody Blues to Andy Gibb and U2 — and pondering the question: "What would you say to your high school self?"
In between, a host of questions surrounding supplements and even Mucinex, abdominal lipedema, and fatty liver were addressed by Dr. Karen Herbst and Linda Anne Kahn. Answers about BMI, success stories of using Lympha Press, and anecdotes about self-advocacy inspired.
Listen to the replay to experience the life-affirming conversations and genuine sense of comm...
2022-09-271h 01
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) This is Actually a Thing: The Lori Paquette InterviewA marketing project associated with her passion to raise awareness of the benefits of Pilates for those “living in a body like mine” is what ultimately led Lori Paquette to her diagnosis.
“I have good news for you,” Dr. Lindy McHutchison at Carolina Vein Center told her. “You have lipedema.”
Learning that “this was actually a thing” was liberating for Lori, who lived until her 50s not knowing “What was going on with my thighs?”
Dr. McHutchison recommended that Lori incorporate Lympha Press pneumatic compression therapy into her routine. Lori loves how it feels and especially...
2022-09-1319 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) Sean Mulroney: The Obesity Revolution, Part IIThose who follow Sean Mulroney and The Obesity Revolution know his lymphedema journey has been filled with ups and downs. One constant “up” is his use of the Lympha Press LymphaPod to manage his condition. It became a critical tool in his recovery when 200 pounds of additional fluid rendered him immobile.
His recent 15-week hospital and rehab stint may have stolen his ability to celebrate holidays with his family (with the exception of Facetime!), but his determination to address both his mental and physical health are inspiring.
Sean says, “Life isn’t happening to me. It’s hap...
2022-09-0621 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lipedema Patient Roundtable (August 2022)It might be the dog days of summer, but some of the coolest lipedema voices gathered once again for the monthly Lipedema Patient Roundtable. Medical expert Linda Anne Kahn led the program by talking about dry, itchy, inflamed eyes and the connection with mast cell activation syndrome. Turns out many of the panelists and attendees also suffer from dry eyes and Linda offered solutions to help them cope.
An interesting discussion about anesthesia and its impact on patients and the importance of medical professionals “checking the chart!” was followed by questions surrounding Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and how to o...
2022-08-3058 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Keep Reaching Out: The Sharon Dodds InterviewSharon Dodds never stopped reaching out for help, and her message to others with lymphedema and lipedema is “Keep reaching out.”
During the years before her condition had a name, she sometimes thought she was crazy. “I was walking, exercising, and yet my legs were painful and getting bigger.” When finally diagnosed in 2016, she said to herself, “I need to keep this at bay because I want to have a life.”
Her son did some searching and discovered pneumatic compression, but when she heard about Lympha Press at the Lipedema Patient Roundtable, she reached out for help. So...
2022-08-1610 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Believe Your Body: The Debrena McEwen Interview“I obsessed over other kids’ legs,” shared Debrena “Bre” McEwen, who is known and loved by many as @TheBrenaJean on Instagram. “I remember wishing I could run.”
Embracing body positivity helped, but she knew something else was going on. As she approached age 40, her intent to live healthy led her to investigate reduction surgery. The procedure required weight loss, and she began tracking calories, and even surprised herself at how small her caloric intake was for a person of her size. Her research uncovered a potential answer: lipedema!
But attaining a diagnosis proved challenging. One hurtful doctor...
2022-08-0921 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lipedema Roundtable (July 2022)It's host Brenda Viola's birthday, and the Lipedema Roundtablers surprised Brenda with party hats, flowers, and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate! Aside from the celebratory energy, the occasion was marked by the virtual worlds of Brenda, Linda Anne Kahn, and superfan Jackie Larson colliding as they shared the screen from Linda's home.
The brain fog and fatigue commonly associated with lipedema were discussed, giving Linda Anne the opportunity to encourage attendance at her August 22nd Lympha Press webinar, "Mitochondrial Health, Mast Cell Activation, Your Brain, and the Lymphatic System."
Dr. Lindy McHutchison...
2022-08-021h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Food Intolerance and Lipedema: The Cheryl Scoledge InterviewCheryl Scoledge is the founder of the Facebook group "Lipedema and Food Intolerances." Her devotion to finding answers for her lipedema, which remained undiagnosed until age 50, resulted in a dramatic improvement in her quality of life. Going from a size 24 to a size 10 to speaking at the Fat Disorders Research Society Conference, Cheryl shares what she's learned on her lipedema journey. The information contained in this video is not intended to be medical advice; it is only for informational purposes.
These inspiring lipedema interviews are brought to you by Lympha Press, makers of the Optimal Plus. This pne...
2022-07-1939 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) I Won’t Stop Until There’s a Cure: The Fernanda Cooley InterviewShe’s earned a Doctorate and four Masters degrees, so when this lifelong learner was faced with the one-two punch of breast cancer and then lymphedema, she was relentless in her pursuit of answers.
A nurse practitioner, Fernanda Cooley dove into the research and implemented compression and nutritional changes, even using an infrared sauna. When finally prescribed her Lympha Press pneumatic compression pump and upper extremity Lympha Jacket, she realized dramatic improvement.
Listen to this inspiring interview and learn how her arm circumference reduced after just a short time using her Lympha Press. And believe us...
2022-07-1218 min
The Lympha Press PodcastThe Lipedema Patient Roundtable (June 2022)It’s the second anniversary of the Lympha Press Lipedema Patient Roundtable, and the celebratory night turned the spotlight on the “superfans” who show up every month to share, learn, inspire, and laugh with our regular panelists.
Pattie Cornute (@LipedemaFitness), Cheryl Scoledge (@LipedemaDiva), Siouxie Boshoff (@Lipedema.Living), Angelique Charles (@TheLippyButterfly) and Cara Cruz (@PaleGingerPear) all honored — with “Flat Fansie” photos — the regulars who have helped to build this amazing lipedema community.
This hour flew by with discussions on everything from inflammation to menstruation; how to curb sugar cravings and avoid glycosides; the importance of sleep and how it rel...
2022-07-051h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable (May 2022)At the May Lipedema Patient Roundtable, panelists shared gems of wisdom and inspiration from the Fat Disorders Resource Society (FDRS) Conference along with the joy of meeting in person for the first time: Cara (Pale Ginger Pear), who never runs, literally sprinted across the lobby and practically dove onto Angelique Charles (The Lippy Butterfly) when sighted at the hotel!
A big takeaway from the FDRS Conference was the relationship of lipedema cells and sodium, as well as the importance of treatment modalities like Lympha Press compression therapy to manage swelling.
May is not only Ehlers-Danlos...
2022-05-311h 01
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) I Will Not Give Up: The Carol Moody InterviewCarol Moody is one determined woman.
At puberty, her weight skyrocketed by 60 pounds, though her eating and exercise habits hadn’t changed. Strict diets with no results followed and doctors suggested that she would eventually be bedridden.
“I was determined NOT to be bedridden,” says Carol. The idea of being wheelchair-bound was a wake-up call.
Carol was no stranger to adversity; legally blind, her mindset has always been to “find a way.”
By 2014, swelling progressed to cellulitis that had become septic. In 2015, her body was filled with fluid. Prescribed water pills that didn’...
2022-05-2423 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) It Had a Name: The Amy Vasquez InterviewTo learn that the condition that had plagued her for decades had a name was a relief for Amy Vasquez. For years she heard "calories in, calories out" and was even accused by medical professionals of eating more than she admitted to. Amy ate clean; she was a gymnast and dancer in her youth. She saw similar, big thighs among her family members and thought there wasn't anything that could be done to manage the symptoms, which had spiked at puberty.
It wasn't until the 2000's that a Cushing's disease diagnosis led to the discovery that she...
2022-04-0515 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) Not a Cookie-Cutter Lymphedema Story: The Stephanie Roache InterviewWith a host of other medical concerns, Stephanie Roache wasn't focused on managing lymphedema when she was diagnosed. Soon, it became apparent that it could no longer be ignored.
"I clicked on a coupon during Lymphedema Awareness Month," she shares. Amanda Sobey (@am.sobey) encouraged her that the best thing she could do was move her lymph. Her renewed commitment to managing her lymphedema led to finding a new lymphedema therapist. Soon after (and with lightning speed from her Lympha Press representative in North Carolina) she had a LymphaPants garment in addition to a LymphaJacket.
"My...
2022-03-2929 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) No Longer a Bystander: The Kelly Bell InterviewKelly Bell has lymphedema throughout his body, and his excruciating journey to finally get diagnosed rendered him so depressed, he considered suicide. Be inspired by this retired Coast Guard veteran’s story of never giving up. He says, “I lost my life for 12 years but now, I am no longer a bystander. I am fully participating in life.”
One of the tools that have been life-changing for Kelly is the Lympha Press Optimal Plus. He shares a photo with 12 gallons of fluid, representing how much this pump removed from his body!
According to Kelly, “Every person w...
2022-03-2228 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipolymphedema) Be a Defender of Self: The Angela Jones InterviewIn this powerful interview, Angela Jones encourages viewers to speak up and be their own advocates when it comes to their health.
A certified health coach and former registered nurse, Angela only recently was diagnosed with lipolymphedema. The news was a relief to her! She knew she was eating clean and taking care of her body, but her size and scale didn’t respond normally. Once weighing over 400 pounds, she had surgery and was prescribed a pump to manage her lymphedema, but it sat in her closet largely unused. Then she discovered the Lympha Press Optimal Plus....
2022-02-0815 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Beauty is the Beast: The Elise Sasso Interview"Extra is my ordinary."
Today, Elise Sasso sweeps you up with her effervescence, creativity, and joy in life.
Creativity and artistry were the keys to emerging from a dark place because of her lipedema and lymphedema.
Be inspired by her "medical roller coaster" story. At one point she was 410 pounds, faced bouts of cellulitis, and couldn't even look at herself in the mirror. Once finally diagnosed, she discovered tools - like her Lympha Press - to manage her condition effectively. She says, "It's easy to use, easy to clean, and the relief is GR...
2022-01-1827 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (December 2021)It's the holiday season, and this festive episode features frank talk about how to handle the challenges of lymphedema in what may not always be the "most wonderful time of the year." Special guest Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT, joins our regular panelists for a candid and heartwarming edition of this monthly Roundtable.
A heartfelt thank-you to our group of panelists:
Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANA (@karenashforth_cltlana)
Cam Ayala, Lymphedema Patient, Lympha Press Compression Therapy Consultant (@CamronAyala)
Kelly Bell, Lymphedema Patient and Advocate (@Veteran_Fighting_Lymphedema)
Alexa Ercolano, Lymphedema Patient (@lymphielife)
Angela Jones, Lipolymphedema Patient...
2022-01-0458 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (November 2021)The November Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was pumped with interesting topics, covering everything from pain management and vibration plates to vulnerability and self-acceptance.
There was also conversation around compression garments as panelists answered questions about the differences between off-the-shelf versus custom and flat-knit versus circular knit, and our medical professionals weighed in on wearing compression while pumping.
One newly diagnosed attendee asked how the panelists processed all the new (and sometimes overwhelming) information at the beginning of their lymphedema journeys. Panelists Angela Jones and Alexa Ercolano answered with insight from their own experiences, and Mary Kastelberg...
2021-11-3058 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (October 2021)From clinical questions about wound care to candid conversation around mental health, the October Lymphedema Patient Roundtable was full of valuable inspiration and insight.
Speaking of inspiration, the panel was joined by special guest Veronica Seneriz, a lymphedema patient and founder of the blog and online community Lymphie Strong. Panelist Kelly Bell was one of the first members of Lymphie Strong when it began years ago, and there wasn't a dry eye on the Zoom call as he shared just how much the group had saved his life.
The conversation continued with questions and comments...
2021-11-091h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) Get Up and Keep Going: The Morgan McCoy InterviewA bout of ulcerative colitis in 2018 started a downward spiral for Morgan McCoy's health. In 2019, her colon perforated and an infection led to the amputation of her left leg, forcing her to drop out of the University of Oklahoma during her senior year. Then, a lymphedema diagnosis evidenced by 30 pounds of fluid.
You'd never know any of this by the smile on Morgan's face. Her credo? "I could pout and be sad or depressed, or I can get up and just keep going. It's a choice." Her choices led to her recent graduation with a degree in...
2021-11-0215 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable (February 2021)Wisdom, heart, and encouragement are packed into this latest hour of the Lipedema Patient Roundtable brought to you by Lympha Press!
Dr. Karen Herbst reveals why not everything that looks like lipedema IS lipedema. Dr. Jaime Schwartz talks about fibrosis and surgery; Linda Anne Kahn offers aromatherapy tips, and CurvyGirlBeth (Beth Rylaarsdam) shares how she came to a place of self-acceptance and self-love.
Love is definitely in the air, as all of the panelists bring their insights to embracing who they are, how they stopped hiding, and how what used to terrify them became the...
2021-10-2658 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (April 2021)A must-listen episode for lymphedema patients with excellent conversation around exercise, elevation, the COVID vaccine, nerve pain, "pity parties" and much more.
Our panel of experts includes:
Cam Ayala, Primary Lymphedema Patient, Lympha Press Compression Therapy Consultant (@CamronAyala)
Kelly Bell, @Veteran_Fighting_Lymphedema
Mary Kastelberg, Primary Lymphedema Patient, Lympha Press Compression Therapy Consultant (@LiveLoveLymphie)
Catherine Rosenberg, Lymphedema Patient (@crosenberg1982)
Jeanette Zucker, Executive Director, National Lymphedema Network (@the_NLN)
Angela Jones, Lipolymphedema Patient and Health Coach
Nasreen Starner, OTR/L
Thanks for listening to the Lymphedema Patient Roundtable podcast! You can watch the video recording of...
2021-10-191h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) An Advocate for Living Well: The Amy Beaith InterviewWhen returning from the playground at age five, Amy Beaith's parents noticed her legs were swollen. She estimates it took about 30 doctor's visits before finally being diagnosed with primary lymphedema.
She's used Lympha Press to manage her condition for decades and loves the way it helps reduce pain and swelling. She says, "It's so comfortable it feels like a hug."
Amy is proactive about her condition. She's had successful surgeries and performs self-manual lymph drainage. She even created a skincare line, plantiful.ca, birthed from her own skin being prone to infection.
A...
2021-10-1424 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Pale Ginger Pear: Cara Cruz's Lipedema StoryHow did she go from avoiding having her photo taken to attracting close to 90,000 followers on Instagram? Be inspired by Cara Cruz's lipedema story and find out more by following @PaleGingerPear or visiting her website at www.palegingerpear.com. Cara is also using the Lympha Press Optimal Plus to manage her lipedema.
This interview was recorded in June 2020. You can watch the video recording of Cara's interview on the Lipedema Channel on YouTube, or on Instagram IGTV at @lympha_press.
These inspiring lipedema interviews are brought to you by Lympha Press, makers of the Optimal...
2021-10-0747 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) The Obesity Revolution: A Visit with Sean MulroneyAt one point, he weighed nearly 700 pounds. Now, his videos have made over 60 million impressions as he inspires others through The Obesity Revolution. Sean Mulroney's story is also about lymphedema, the struggle to be diagnosed, and how he found the Lympha Press LymphaPod. He calls it a game-changer.
Sean views obesity as "the last socially acceptable prejudice." He found many doctors to be dismissive of his condition and went through bouts of cellulitis and a dark season. His family brought him through - and trainer Brandon? Well, together, they are impacting millions of lives for good.
T...
2021-09-3047 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lymphedema) Decide How Much Living You Want to Do: The Blanche Pepitone InterviewDiagnosed with lymphedema as a baby, Blanche Pepitone had her first surgery at 18 months old.
Her parents and siblings raised her to live life fully, regardless of her condition, and that has been Blanche's lifelong credo: "You've got to decide how much living you want to do and do what it takes to live that life."
Managing a little-known condition without the benefit of Google or social groups could have been a lonely road for this lymphedema pioneer. Her story includes nine surgeries and finally, a remarkable introduction to manual lymph drainage. "In three days...
2021-09-2350 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (September 2021)It's Fall, y'all, and lymphedema patients in the Northern Hemisphere are rejoicing at the transition to cooler weather! From compliance to clothes to circulatory changes, panelists at the September Lymphedema Patient Roundtable shared the different ways the Fall season can affect life with lymphedema.
Speaking of transitions, many are returning to in-person work after a year or more of working from home. Lymphedema patients Catherine Rosenberg and Amanda Sobey talked about some of the ways this has impacted their lymphedema, and offered tips on how to successfully adjust your treatment routine to your new schedule. Attendees contributed...
2021-09-211h 00
The Lympha Press PodcastLipedema Patient Roundtable (May 2021)The May 2021 Lipedema Patient Roundtable featured a wide range of topics, including venous ultrasounds and the vein connection to lipedema, the differences between lipedema fat and non-lipedema fat, obesogens and toxins that impact our overall health, and the signs of Ehlers-Danlos.
Candid and heartfelt conversations about pain and depression led to reminders about the importance of community and not being afraid to share when you need help.
Pale Ginger Pear talked about how her Lympha Press Optimal Plus helped her recover and heal from surgery, and Pattie Cornute's 6th Annual Lipedema Triathlon was discussed.
2021-09-1459 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (February 2021)Our amazing panelists are joined by special guests this month! William Repicci is the President and CEO of the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN) and shares the organization's vision to support those with lymphedema as well as special plans for World Lymphedema Day on March 6th.
Author Jean LaMantia, who wrote "The Complete Lymphedema Management and Nutrition Guide" also visits the panel to discuss diet and lymphedema.
Everything from self MLD, nerve pain, intermittent fasting, to "finding your peace" and Lympha Press success stories make this an information-packed hour!
Special thanks...
2021-09-071h 00
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) @LippyLeggedMomma: The Amber Grainger InterviewShe had relatives with similar legs, so Amber Grainger never considered that she had a medical condition. She endured taunts from middle school classmates and continued into her adult years to try and find an answer.
Things worsened after the birth of her daughter. At one point, Amber was running miles a day, only to see no improvement. Adding to the frustration? Constant advice from medical professionals urging her to diet, though she was already eating healthy.
Thanks to a post on Instagram, Amber realized she had lipedema and was fortunate enough to connect with...
2021-08-2610 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (August 2021)"We are more than our swelling." This affirmation was the heartbeat of the August Lymphedema Patient Roundtable as our panelists talked about body image, coping skills, and how to be your own best advocate while living with lymphedema.
Attendees asked questions on a variety of topics, ranging from compression garments and working from home to cellulitis and COVID-19 vaccines. With certified lymphedema therapist Nasreen Starner on the panel to offer her medical perspective alongside the panelists' patient experiences, the conversation was as dynamic as it was informative.
A big thank-you to our panelists:
Cam...
2021-08-1759 min
The Lympha Press PodcastLymphedema Patient Roundtable (July 2021)It's summertime, and the living is — well, not so easy when you have lymphedema. The July Lymphedema Patient Roundtable focused on all things summer, from hot tips for traveling with your compression pump to cool facts about swimming and the natural compression it offers.
Betty Westbrook and Mary Kastelberg shared their experiences (and fun photos) from this year's Camp Watchme, a summer camp for kids with lymphedema and their families. Cam Ayala discussed his five C's for lymphedema management, and Angela Jones made everyone hungry while talking about her recent foray into cooking!
A big th...
2021-08-1059 min
The Lympha Press Podcast(Lipedema) Optimal Results for Lipedema with Lympha Press: Catching up With Kelly MaynardA LOT has changed since we first interviewed Kelly in 2020. The game-changer? Her Lympha Press Optimal Plus, Pantsuit, and Jacket.
For seven years (after the birth of her adorable daughter, who makes a few "appearances" in this interview), she saw no measurable improvement in her lipedema though she says, "I tried everything."
Kelly finally found a therapist willing to help, and just two months ago received her Optimal Plus pneumatic compression therapy system. Results were immediate, and within one month she lost over 24 inches and 20 pounds of fluid. Eight weeks of using her Lympha Press has r...
2021-08-0529 minThe Lympha Press PodcastIntroducing The Lympha Press Podcast: Episode ZeroWelcome to the inaugural episode of the Lympha Press Podcast: Free-Flowing Conversation to Educate and Inspire! Join Rob Martin, Project Manager, and Brenda Viola, VP of Marketing and Communications at Lympha Press, as they chat about the new podcast, its background, and what listeners can expect.
Whether it's the latest research on lymphedema and lipedema, conversations about community, or interviews with thought leaders: we at Lympha Press are pumped to talk about it.
This podcast is brought to you by Lympha Press, makers of the Optimal Plus. Find out more by visiting www.lymphapress.com.
2021-08-0217 min