FDRS is pleased to live stream the annual conference to our fat disorder community for FREE.  We are able to make these videos available through the generosity of our donors.  Please consider donating to FDRS.  No donation too small or too large.  

Click here to access the live stream during the dates and times listed below.

TIMES ARE IN CENTRAL TIME ZONE

Friday April 27

6:00 – 6:30  Opening Ceremonies

6:30 – 7:30  Honoring our Bodies through Art:  Kathryn Hack

7:30 – 7:45 Break

7:45 – 8:30  Fashion Show

Saturday April 28

8:00 – 8:45 Keynote Address:  Fluid Flux in Fat in Lipedema and Dercum's Disease:  Karen Herbst, MD, PhD

8:45 – 9:00 Break

9:00 – 9:20 Abdominopelvic Congestion: a Hidden Problem of Swelling Impacting Health:  Sara Nelson, PT, DPT, WCS

9:20 – 9:40 Herbal Medications and Their Application to Patients with Lipedema and Dercum’s Disease:  John (Jerry) Bartholomew, MD

9:40 – 10:00 Disability and FMLA: Sarah Bramblette

10:00 – 10:15 Break

10:15 – 11:35  Research Update:

  • Research Primer:  Polly Armour

  • Frontiers of Lipedema Research:  Erik Lontok, PhD, Lipedema Foundation

  • MRI Tools to Diagnose and Evaluate Mechanisms of Lipedema:  Rachelle Crescenzi, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  • Preliminary Gait Study Results:  Polly Armour

  • Fat Therapy Reduces Fat in Lipedema and Dercum Disease:  Karen Herbst, MD, PhD

  • Vascular Finding in the Skin and SAT in Lipedema:  Sara Al Ghadban, PhD, University of Arizona TREAT Program

  • Genetic Risk Factors Underlying the Lipedema Phenotype:  Yann Klimentidis, PhD, University of Arizona

11:35 – 12:30 Lunch

12:30 – 1:00 Dercum's Disease: Inflammation, Pain, and a Novel Reduction Strategies:  Dan W. Pulsipher, DO

1:00 – 1:30  Dercum’s Disease:  Tissue is the Issue:  Karen Herbst, MD, PhD

1:30 – 1:45 Break

1:45 – 2:15 Breakout Session: Compression Therapy: Living Without Limits:  Jennifer T. Hunt

2:15 – 2:45 Breakout Session:   Chronic Pain and Management Strategies:  Dan W. Pulsipher, DO

2:45 – 3:00  Break

3:00 – 3:30 Breakout Session:  Meditation and Mindfulness Interventions for Patients with Fat Disorders:  Kathleen H. Lisson, CMT, CLT, BCTMB

3:30 – 4:00 Breakout Session:  Nutrition, Hypermobility and Lipedema/Dercum's:  Chuck Ehrlich, MS, MBA

4:00 – 4:15 Break

4:15 – 6:15  Breakout Session:  Liposuction for Lipedema and Dercum’s Disease

  • Hello from the Other Side… Life After Liposuction for Lipedema:  Briana Garrott

  • Comprehensive Review of Science, Safety & Efficacy for Lipedema/Dercum's Surgery:  David Amron, MD

  • Post-Surgical Care - An Integrative Approach: Linda-Anne Kahn CLT-LANA NCTMB, CMT, CHNC   

  • Integrated Surgery and Therapy System for Lipedema Patients With Lymphedema:  Jay Granzow, MD, MPH, FACS

  • Lymph Sparing Liposuction Safety:  Thomas Wright, MD, FACP, FACPh, RVT

  • Liposuction Technique Matters for Lipedema: Fact or Fake News?:  Karol Gutowski, MD

  • Safe and Effective Vaser Liposuction for Lipedema and Dercum's Disease:  Michael Schwartz, MD

  • Q&A

Sunday, April 29

8:00 – 9:00 How Yoga Helps the Lymphatic System:  Sarmita Misra, PT, CLT-LANA, RYT200

9:00 – 9:15  Break

9:15 – 10:15 Patient Perspectives:

  • Fat Disorders & Retirement-Navigating the Next Chapter of our Lives:  Yvonne Hyde

  • From Childhood Isolation to Mystery Diagnosis to Immeasurable Happiness:  Jasna Tursic

  • 7 D's in Living with Dercum’s Disease:  Denial, Diagnosis, Difficult, Decide, Develop, Do, Determination:  JJ Wheaton  

10:15 – 10:30  Break

10:30 – 11:30 Breakout Session:                   

  • Multifactorial Leg Swelling in Lipedema:  Steven Dean, DO

  • Vasospastic Disease in Lipedema:  Steven Dean, DO

  • Help!  I Can’t Find a Local Doctor to Help Me!  John (Jerry) Bartholomew, MD

11:35 – 12:05 Roundtable:  Mobility Devices: A Few of Our Favorite Things

12:05 – 12:35 Planning for Change:  Elizabeth McMahon, PhD

12:35 – 12:45 Closing Ceremonies

**Schedule subject to change**

The speakers are representing themselves in their personal capacity. Their views are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of FDRS. 

Notice to patients:  This conference and the related materials are provided solely to educate consumers on health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the Content should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on the Content or any portion thereof is solely at your own risk.