How 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 conduct their first therapy session, and how some of the features – like the wave function on the advanced pump – are particularly helpful for lipedema patients.
Since September is Pain Awareness Month, Linda Anne Kahn shared different tools to help reduce and manage pain, and the panelists shared their favorite modalities. Vibration plates, compression, swimming, movement, massage guns, and more were covered.
A huge topic in the lipedema community is the long-awaited creation of ICD-10 codes. For patients, having a code signals a sense of validation, that “what we have is real.” Dr. Karen Herbst joined to discuss her work to spearhead getting the codes established and how the audience can most effectively submit their comments for consideration. Interested parties should e-mail nchsicd10cm@cdc.gov by the October 10th deadline.
Dr. Herbst also covered the impact of GLP-1 medications on lipedema, the difference between lymphedema and lipedema, and how patients can arrange appointments with her practice.
You could hear in Cara Cruz’s voice the aftereffects of recent surgery to address her adenoids/tonsils. Though still recovering, she is now able to sleep through the night when before, apnea would cause her to stop breathing. In another “connecting the dots” moment, Dr. Herbst discussed and explained the correlation between the lymphatic system and her condition. Questions surrounding menopause were also answered in this information-packed hour.
As always, the evening ended with powerful words of encouragement for the audience from anchor panelists and guests:
- Jenny Beaujean (@jenny_beaujean)
- Siouxie Boshoff (@lipedema.living)
- Angelique Charles (@TheLippyButterfly)
- Pattie Cornute (@LipedemaFitness)
- Cara Cruz (@PaleGingerPear)
- David DiBacco, Territory Manager at Lympha Press
- Karen Herbst, PhD, MD (@drkarenherbst)
- Linda Anne Kahn, CLT-LANA, CIDESCO, NCBTMB, CMT, HNC (@lindaannekahn)
- Brenda Viola (@BrendaViola_ViciCommunications)
- Marcia Witt (@notabrady)
If you’d like to find out more about Lympha Press and how it can be a game changer for lipedema patients, visit www.lymphapress.com. As David said so well: “I’ve attended these Roundtables as a guest for many months and have such respect for lipedema patients. We consider it an honor and a privilege to serve this community.”
This Roundtable was recorded live on September 18, 2024, and has been edited for time. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Lympha Press.