Lipedema World Alliance

LIPEDEMA AT THE 48th EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF LYMPHOLOGY CONGRESS

After four days of science, discussion and international exchange, the 48th Congress of the European Society of Lymphology (ESL) and the 1st Congress of the Spanish Group of Lymphology (GEL) have come to an end in Valencia.

Under the presidency of Dr Isabel Forner-Cordero, member of the Lipedema World Alliance Board of Directors, the Congress brought together international experts to discuss advances and challenges across lymphedema and lipedema.

For the Lipedema World Alliance, it was particularly encouraging to see lipedema receiving significant scientific attention, through presentations, oral communications and discussions.

Topics included adipose tissue function, differential diagnosis between lipedema and lymphoedema, inflammation, nutrition, pain, compression, psychosocial aspects and surgical approaches - highlighting both scientific progress and the many questions that remain.

We were also proud to see members of the LWA Board of Directors contributing to the Congress: José Luis Simarro, Manuel Cornely, Gabriele Faerber, Philipp Kruppa and Marina Cestari, alongside LWA Honorary President Sandro Michelini and Manuela Lourenço Marques, representing the on the LWA Board.

We are very pleased to see lipedema increasingly present within the wider scientific conversation on lymphology. There is still much to understand, and every presentation, discussion and question helps move the field forward.

Congratulations to Dr Isabel Forner-Cordero and the entire organising team for these four days of science and collaboration.

The conversation continues. The research continues. And so does our shared commitment to people living with lipedema.

🌍 AT THE FIRST LIPEDEMA CANADA CONFERENCE 🇨🇦

From 10–12 September 2026, Winnipeg hosted the first Lipedema Canada Conference, bringing together people living with lipedema, patient advocates, researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world.

Two members of the Lipedema World Alliance Board of Directors were among the international experts attending the conference: Professor Mojtaba Ghods, LWA President, and Dr Thomas Wright, LWA Treasurer.

Both contributed actively to the conference’s clinical and scientific programme:

🔹 Professor Mojtaba Ghods served as Scientific Co-Chair, delivered the opening address and presented the LIPLEG Study, the first randomised controlled trial on lipedema surgery. He also participated in a live structured clinical assessment of patients.

🔹 Dr Thomas Wright reviewed the latest scientific literature on Lipedema Reduction Surgery, examining what the current evidence tells us about this treatment.

🔹 Both took part in the hands-on diagnostic clinic and joined the international panel discussion “Let’s Talk Lipedema Surgery”, sharing knowledge, clinical experience and different perspectives on surgical care.

International collaboration is essential to advancing lipedema research, strengthening clinical education and improving care for people living with the condition.

We congratulate Lipedema Canada on this landmark event and thank everyone who helped create such an important space for science, education, shared experience and collaboration.

Together, we continue to connect knowledge across borders and work towards better recognition, understanding and care for lipedema worldwide.

🌍 From Potsdam to Rome, and now to Melbourne! 🇦🇺

The journey of the Lipedema World Congress continues - and in 2027, the global lipedema community will meet in Australia!

The Lipedema World Alliance and Lipoedema Australia invite you to save the date for the Lipedema World Congress III.

📅 11–14 November 2027
📍 Melbourne, Australia

Four days to bring together science, knowledge, clinical experience and the voice of people living with lipedema.

Researchers, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and the wider lipedema community from around the world will meet to share knowledge, exchange experiences, strengthen collaboration and continue advancing our understanding of lipedema.

🇩🇪 Potsdam → 🇮🇹 Rome → 🇦🇺 Melbourne

The journey continues.
The knowledge grows.
The global community grows with it.

📣 Registration and abstract submissions will open soon.

For now, there is one important thing to do:

📅 SAVE THE DATE | 11–14 November 2027

We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne! 🇦🇺

The Lipedema World Alliance (LWA) is proud to announce that several of our Board Members
✨ Prof. Cornely
✨ Dr.med. Faerber
✨ Dr. Ghods
✨ Fetzer
✨ Kate Forster
will take part in the Medicine and Me: Unmasking Lipoedema - A women’s health condition hidden in plain sight, hosted by the Society of Medicine.

📅 Tuesday, 16 September 2025
🕑 14:00–18:00 BST
💻 Free online webinar
This unique program will explore:
✔️ Advances in diagnosis and treatment pathways
✔️ The latest NICE updates and insights from the German LIPLEG study
✔️ Patient perspectives to better understand lived experience
🌍 Having our Board Members actively contribute is a true point of pride for the LWA, highlighting our commitment to raising global awareness of lipoedema.
🔗 Register now (simple & free): https://lnkd.in/eAMw8RYM

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🌍✨ Exciting news!
Dr Karen Herbst, Vice President of the Lipedema World Alliance, will be joining the September Research Roundtable 🎙️

Together with Dr Leon Straub, she will share the results of their recent study on the molecular hallmarks of Lipedema/Lipoedema – a milestone in raising awareness and advancing scientific understanding of this condition.

📅 Don’t miss the chance to hear directly from the researchers and gain valuable insights!

👉 Watch the full webinar: https://lnkd.in/giFwMtgc

📑 Read the study: https://lnkd.in/daf9UCff

Join us for the September Research Roundtable, where host Dr. Karen Herbst and guest Dr. Leon Straub will discuss their recent study (https://loom.ly/k6Zauzc) investigating the molecular hallmarks of .

📆 Monday, September 8, at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
🎟️ Free to attend, with recording provided after
💻 Register at https://loom.ly/lkwLzFY

Great news! 🌟
Prof. (Hon) Dr. med. Manuel E. Cornely, board member of the Lipedema World Alliance, was one of the speakers at the Summer School Lymphologie 2025 (August 28–31, Berlin), organized by the German Society for Phlebology and Lymphology.

✨ He had the honor of giving the opening lecture of the meeting, setting the tone for inspiring discussions and knowledge-sharing.

This event brought together experts, practitioners, and industry partners for interdisciplinary lectures, hands-on training, and networking — all aimed at advancing diagnosis and treatment in lymphology.

We celebrate Prof. Cornely’s contribution to advancing education, collaboration, and innovation in this important field. 💙

⁩ ⁨🎉 Big News for Women with Lipedema in Germany! 🇩🇪
Liposuction for lipedema is now officially approved for health insurance provision in Germany 🙌💉
🟣 The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) confirmed today that liposuction is a proven and beneficial treatment for lipedema in the legs and arms — regardless of disease stage.
📋 Eligibility is likely to require:
✅ Official diagnosis from 2 healthcare professionals
✅ 6 months of conservative treatment
✅ Stable body weight
💡 This decision is based on strong scientific evidence — especially the pivotal LIPLEG study — and reflects a major shift toward recognizing patient needs and lived experiences.
📆 Outpatient billing codes are expected by 1 January 2026, making treatment more accessible in clinical practice.

Lipedema World Alliance congratulates all involved in the decisions and contributions, including LWA Board Members Professors Manuel Cornely and Mojtaba Ghods whose surgical centres provided the majority of LIPLEG patients, and Dr Gabriele Faerber co-ordinator and lead author of the German Lipedema Guidelines under the guidance of the German Society of Phlebology and Lymphology. LWA was also pleased to see the Committee considering the patient perspective through the evidence given by Susanne Helmbrecht of the LWA Founder Member patient organisation Lymphselbsthilfe e.V.
Together, we move forward for better care. 💜

⁩

📣 Important Update on Liposuction Reimbursement in Germany
Following the completion of the LIPLEG study, the German Federal Committee for Healthcare Services (G-BA) will be meeting to review the reimbursement of liposuction for patients with lipedema.

🗓 Watch the session live (in German)
📍 Date: 17 July
⏰ Time: 11am CEST (lipoedema to be discussed towards the end of the meeting)
🔗 https://www.g-ba.de/service/livestream-mediathek/

This is a crucial step toward better access to care for those affected by lipedema. Stay informed and join the live session.

📢 Save the Date – 2026!
We’re excited to share that LWA Board Members Dr. Philipp Kruppa and PD Dr. Mojtaba Ghods are part of the organizing committee for the 2026 Boston Lymphatic Symposium: "A Focus on Lipedema – Bridging Gaps!"
📍 Boston, MA
🧠 Clinical & Patient Tracks
📅 February 19–20, 2026
🔬 Clinical Symposium: Feb 19–20 at Merck Laboratories
🧍‍♀ Patient Symposium: Feb 20 at Joseph B. Martin Center
💡 Topics: diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and psychosocial care
Let’s come together to advance care, raise awareness, and bridge gaps in lipedema research

🌍 "Making the Invisible Visible – Raising Awareness for Lymphology"
📺 TV Event | last Wednesday, July 9, 2025

An important moment for the lymphology community!
This high-profile broadcast brought together top experts to shine a light on a medical field that still doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

🧠 Among the featured speakers was Prof. Manuel E. Cornely, Board Member of the Lipedema World Alliance, who served as both Scientific Director and Presenter of the event.

🎓 The program, accredited for CME (Continuing Medical Education), included:
✅ Short expert talks
✅ Panel discussions
✅ Real-life case studies
✅ A deep focus on lipedema/lipoedema

Tailored for professionals in vascular surgery, phlebology, and general medicine, the event aimed to raise clinical awareness and improve patient outcomes.

📌 A post-live version will be submitted to the Berlin Medical Association and is expected to earn 3 CME credits.
📲 Want to watch or share with colleagues? Check out the program here:
👉 https://www.winglet-community.com/907-das-unsichtbare-sichtbar-machen-awareness-fuer-die-lymphologie

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