Schedule

What's Going On at LipCanCon

Time	(Pre-Conference) Doctor is in Clinic
8:00 am	Doctor is in Clinic (pre-conference) The Doctor Is In Clinic is a hands-on teaching clinic in which the leading experts in lipedema care, serving as our faculty educators, assess patients alongside Canadian physicians and nurse practitioners. The format serves two purposes at once. Patients who have waited years for answers receive a formal lipedema diagnosis, while clinicians gain supervised, real-world experience in the complete head to toe assessment. Guided by a faculty educator and built on a standardized method, the clinic functions as a mentored, fellowship-style preceptorship in lipedema diagnosis. For patients, it is a rare opportunity to be properly assessed. Fifty-eight appointments are available at no cost, offered first come, first served. A confirmed appointment is required to attend. For patients: A confirmed appointment must be booked in advance. Following your assessment, you may also book a fitting for medical grade compression garments. These measurement appointments must also be booked in advance and are available on September 10, 11, and 12 on a first come, first served basis. Conditions apply. For clinicians: Register through the University of Manitoba website – REGISTER NOW Conditions apply. Dr. Apostolos Siafliakis Director of the Department of plastic and reconstructive Surgery, Lipedema and post-bariatric surgery., Esea Clinic Dr. Amier Sweis Plastic Surgery Resident, Klinik Ernst Von Bergman - Germany Dr. Kaitlin Cyr Family Physician specialized in Lipedema and Obesity Medicine; Medical Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany Dr. Ana Carolina de Nadai Plastic Surgeon Dr. lakovos Georgiou Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, Director of Plastic Surgery, German Medical Institute Dr. Adrian Zaharie Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thomas Wright Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Specialist Dr. med. Brigitte Habermalz Specialist in Surgery, Lymphology, LipoClinic Dr. Heck Dr. R. Daniel Hagerty Board-certified Physician – Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Premier Lipedema Clinic Dr. Edouard Coeugniet Professor, Montréal University

Time

(Pre-Conference) Doctor is in Clinic

8:00 am

Doctor is in Clinic

(pre-conference)

The Doctor Is In Clinic is a hands-on teaching clinic in which the leading experts in lipedema care, serving as our faculty educators, assess patients alongside Canadian physicians and nurse practitioners.

The format serves two purposes at once. Patients who have waited years for answers receive a formal lipedema diagnosis, while clinicians gain supervised, real-world experience in the complete head to toe assessment. Guided by a faculty educator and built on a standardized method, the clinic functions as a mentored, fellowship-style preceptorship in lipedema diagnosis.

For patients, it is a rare opportunity to be properly assessed. Fifty-eight appointments are available at no cost, offered first come, first served. A confirmed appointment is required to attend.

For patients: A confirmed appointment must be booked in advance. Following your assessment, you may also book a fitting for medical grade compression garments. These measurement appointments must also be booked in advance and are available on September 10, 11, and 12 on a first come, first served basis. Conditions apply.

For clinicians: Register through the University of Manitoba website – REGISTER NOW

Conditions apply.

Dr. Apostolos Siafliakis

Director of the Department of plastic and reconstructive Surgery, Lipedema and post-bariatric surgery., Esea Clinic

Dr. Amier Sweis

Plastic Surgery Resident, Klinik Ernst Von Bergman - Germany

Dr. Kaitlin Cyr

Family Physician specialized in Lipedema and Obesity Medicine; Medical Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada

Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi

Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital

Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods

Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany

Dr. Ana Carolina de Nadai

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. lakovos Georgiou

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, Director of Plastic Surgery, German Medical Institute

Dr. Adrian Zaharie

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Thomas Wright

Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Specialist

Dr. med. Brigitte Habermalz

Specialist in Surgery, Lymphology, LipoClinic Dr. Heck

Dr. R. Daniel Hagerty

Board-certified Physician – Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Premier Lipedema Clinic

Dr. Edouard Coeugniet

Professor, Montréal University

Time	Foundations	Unaccredited Activities in these sessions are outside of accredited time and may be sponsored
7:15 am	Registration, Breakfast & Networking
8:00 am	Welcome and Introductions Opening address to kick off the first Lipedema Canada Conference Emma Cloney Women's Health Nurse; and President, Co-Founder at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany
8:15 am	Session 1: Lipedema in the Canadian Context – Barriers and Bridging An overview of the state of lipedema care in Canada and the obstacles patients face in accessing diagnosis and treatment. 8:15 AM — Lipedema in the Canadian Context, Barriers, and Bridging — Lipedema Canada Board of Directors 8:35 AM — Patient Keynote Speaker: The Matriarchal Lineage of Lipedema: One Family's Journey of Ancestral Healing through Resilience, Laughter and Advocacy — Erica Sullivan Moderated by Dr. Johanna Stern Erica Sullivan Patient Keynote Speaker Holly Hedd Co-founder and Director of Communications at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Angel Anderson Vice President, Treasurer, Co-founder at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Dr. Kaitlin Cyr Family Physician specialized in Lipedema and Obesity Medicine; Medical Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Emma Cloney Women's Health Nurse; and President, Co-Founder at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Raena Zapp Registered Psychiatric Nurse, and Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada
9:05 am	Session 2: Lipedema 101 — Disease Overview: Definition, Prevalence, Pathophysiology A foundational overview of how lipedema is defined, diagnosed, and distinguished from related conditions. 9:05 AM — Lipedema 101: Differential Diagnoses, Comorbidities and Treatment Options — Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi, Dr. Amier Sweis 9:35 AM — Diagnostic Tools: Ruling Lipedema In or Out — Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi, Dr. Amier Sweis Moderated by Dr. Johanna Stern Dr. Amier Sweis Plastic Surgery Resident, Klinik Ernst Von Bergman - Germany Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital
10:15 am	Coffee / Snack Break
10:30 am	Care and Management of Patients with Lipedema and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Associate Professor Ramin Shayan Plastic Surgeon, St Vincent's Public and Private Hospitals; Co-Head, Lymphatic Biology Lab; Director, O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research Joining us virtually from Melbourne, Australia, Associate Professor Ramin Shayan brings both a surgeon's and a scientist's perspective. An academic plastic and reconstructive surgeon, he completed his medical degree and a PhD in the molecular biology of the lymphatic system, cancer spread and lymphoedema at the University of Melbourne, and now directs the O'Brien Institute Department at St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, serves as Associate Director (Clinical) of SVI, and co-heads laboratories investigating tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches to diseases of cancer survivorship, including lymphoedema, radiation injury and lipedema. He is an editor of seven international academic journals and has published more than 60 papers, including in Nature, Cancer Cell and Nature Reviews. In clinical practice he has performed close to 500 microsurgical reconstructions for lymphoedema, including lymphatic bypass microsurgery, free lymph node transfer and lymphatic free flaps, along with hundreds of debulking procedures to improve mobility, form and quality of life for lipedema and lymphoedema patients, and he sits on the boards of the Lipedema World Alliance, the O'Brien Foundation and Gertrude Biomedical. It is our honour to welcome Dr. Shayan to LipCanCon virtually. Dr. Ramin Shayan Professor, Lymphatic Biology Lab and Director of O’Brien Institute Department, SVI
10:45 am	Session 3: Clinical Assessment — Structured Head-to-Toe Examination A live demonstration of a standardized method for clinically assessing patients with lipedema. 10:45 AM — Live Clinical Assessment: Head to Toe Assessment of Patient Volunteers Using a Standardized Method — PD Dr. med. M. Ghods, Dr. Amier Sweis, Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi, Dr. Cyr, Dr. Boury Moderated by Dr. Johanna Stern Dr. Amier Sweis Plastic Surgery Resident, Klinik Ernst Von Bergman - Germany Dr. Kaitlin Cyr Family Physician specialized in Lipedema and Obesity Medicine; Medical Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany
12:00 pm	Lunch & Networking
12:45 pm	Session 4: Lipedema in Context — Addressing Comorbidities and Intersecting Health Needs An exploration of the conditions that commonly accompany lipedema and the diverse needs of the patients who live with them. 12:45 PM — Lipedema Comorbidities: Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome — Melissa Seaton FNP-C 1:00 PM — The Weight of Silence: A Call for Change in Canadian Lipedema Care — Janelle-Marie Emond 1:10 PM — Multimodal Cross-Disciplinary Teams: Care of Lipedema Patients with Comorbid Obesity — Dr. Apostolos Siafliakis 1:25 PM — "But I'm not a woman": A transgender perspective on living with Lipedema — Ashland Kearns (they/them) Moderated by Dr. Johanna Stern Ashland Kearns Person with lived experience Dr. Apostolos Siafliakis Director of the Department of plastic and reconstructive Surgery, Lipedema and post-bariatric surgery., Esea Clinic Janelle-Marie Emond Patient Advocate Melissa Seaton Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Lipedema Specialist, The Roxbury Institute
1:45 pm	Break
2:00 pm	Session 5: Lipedema and Mental Health — Trauma-Informed and Stigma-Informed Approaches to Care and Communication A focus on the psychological dimensions of lipedema and on compassionate, trauma-aware approaches to care. 2:00 PM — The Centaur: A Hybrid-Poetic Investigation of Lipedema — Alyssa Woodbridge 2:10 PM — An Occupational Therapy Perspective on Chronic Pain and Mental Health in Lipedema Care — Cindy Campbell OT and Katie Young OT 2:30 PM — From Survival to Thriving: How a deep dive into the research on Lipedema uncovered the missing link — Laura Kerr 2:40 PM — Beyond Borders: Understanding the Fears, Complexities, and Nervous System Needs of Patients Travelling Abroad for Lipedema Surgery — Dr. Norina Cornelius 3:15 PM — Your Body is Still on Your Side – Learning to Trust Your Body Again with Lipedema - Julie Newbry Raena Zapp Registered Psychiatric Nurse, and Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Dr. Norina Cornelius Senior Consultant in Anaesthesiology at Ernst von Bergmann Hospital in Bad Belzig, Germany, Katie Young Occupational Therapist, Suite Eleven Therapy & Wellness Cindy Campbell Occupational Therapist, Suite Eleven Therapy & Wellness Alyssa Woodbridge Writer, University of Windsor Julie Newbry Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Teacher, and Intuitive Eating Counselor Laura Kerr Lipedema advocate, educator, yoga teacher, and therapist
3:30 pm	Coffee/snack break
3:45 pm	Session 6: Navigating the Healthcare System — Coverage, Documentation, Accommodations, and Referral Pathways A practical guide to securing coverage, documenting diagnoses, and navigating referral pathways for lipedema care in Canada. 3:45 PM — Beyond the Weight Limit: Accessibility, Dignity, and Living with Lipo-Lymphedema — Diana Dimmock 4:00 PM — Applying for Insurance coverage (public and private) for lipedema treatment (compression garments, surgery, and more) — Emma Cloney, Holly Head 4:20 PM — Clinical Documentation: A clinician's guide to documenting a lipedema diagnosis in the Canadian landscape (disability tax credit, letters of medical necessity, referral pathways, prescriptions) — Dr. Kaitlin Cyr 4:45 PM – Interactive Learning: facilitated case study learning activity and participant discussion Moderated by Dr. Johanna Stern Diana Dimmock Accessibility & Size Inclusion Consultant, Accessibility 4 Every Body Consulting Inc. Holly Hedd Co-founder and Director of Communications at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Dr. Kaitlin Cyr Family Physician specialized in Lipedema and Obesity Medicine; Medical Director at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada Emma Cloney Women's Health Nurse; and President, Co-Founder at Lipedema Canada, Lipedema Canada

Time	Treatments	Unaccredited Activities in these sessions are outside of accredited time and may be sponsored
7:15 am	Registration, Breakfast & Networking
8:00 am	Keynote Address A presentation of the first randomized controlled trial evidence in lipedema surgery and its implications for clinical practice. 8:00 AM — The LIPLEG Study: First Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in Lipedema Surgery — PD Dr. med. M. Ghods; Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Moderated by Dr. Amier Sweis Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany Dr. Amier Sweis Plastic Surgery Resident, Klinik Ernst Von Bergman - Germany
8:50 am	Session 7: Physical and Compressive Therapies, and Lipedema-Safe Movement An examination of conservative and movement-based approaches that support symptom management and safe physical activity for people with lipedema. 8:50 AM — Aqua Therapy for Lipedema and Lymphedema — Susan O'Hara 9:00 AM — The Athletic Lipedema Patient: Navigating the Intersection of Multimorbid Conditions through Self-Advocacy — Katerina V. Pappas 9:10 AM — Lipedema Management: A Rehabilitation Framework from Foundational Principles to Evidence-Informed Practice — Marie-Eve Letellier PhD 9:25 AM — Resistance activity to control inflammation and lipedema using the Pilates method — Larissa Musso de Magalhães; Dr. Lusanere Cruz, MD 9:40 AM — Hypermobility and Lipedema: Physiotherapy Perspectives on Safe and Sustainable Movement — Kelsi Abbott BMRPT, CLT 9:50 – A retrospective educational evaluation survey of student experience following specialist lipoedema training – Jane Wigg, Lymphedema Training Academy UK Interactive Learning Moderated by Dr. Amier Sweis Kelsi Abbott Physiotherapist - Certified Lymphatic Therapist Dr. Lusanere Cruz Professor of Endocrinology, Lipelife Instituto de Tratamento e Pesquisa do Lipedema Ltda Larissa Musso de Magalhães Dermatofunctional Physical Therapist, and Internationally Certified Pilates Instructor, Lipelife Instituto de Tratamento e Pesquisa do Lipedema Ltda Marie-Eve Letellier Kinesiologist, and Certified Lymphedema Therapist, Researcher, Lymphedema Association of Quebec Susan O'Hara Person with lived experience, American Lipedema Association Jane Wigg Nurse Consultant, Lymphedema Training Academy
10:25 am	Coffee/Snack Break
10:40 am	Session 8: Nutrition and Pharmacotherapy A review of dietary, behavioural, and medication-based strategies, including emerging pharmacological options, for managing lipedema. 10:40 AM — A Role for Eating Attitudes and Behaviours in Symptoms of Lipoedema — Amy Roberts BPsychSci (Hons), Professor Talitha Best, and Associate Professor Melissa Oxlad 10:50 AM — Lipedema and Inflammation: What Nutrition and Lifestyle Can Really Influence — Virginia Ziulu Adv. DipNT mNTOI 11:05 AM — Change in Inflammatory Patterns in Patients with Lipedema Using GLP1 Analogue — Dr. Lusanere Cruz, MD 11:20 AM — Advancing Lipedema Care: Insights from the Irish clinical experience with Tirzepatide & Targeted Nutrition — Virginia Ziulu Adv. DipNT mNTOI Interactive Learing Moderated by Dr. Amier Sweis Amy Roberts Lipedema Researcher, Central Queensland University Dr. Lusanere Cruz Professor of Endocrinology, Lipelife Instituto de Tratamento e Pesquisa do Lipedema Ltda Virginia Ziulu Lipedema Nutrition Expert, and Women’s Health Advocate Talitha Best Professor at Central Queensland University, Central Queensland University Melissa Oxlad Associate Professor at College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences, College of Education, Behavioural and Social Sciences
11:50 am	Lunch & Networking
12:30 pm	Session 9: Research Review and Future Directions Road Mapping A survey of the latest lipedema research and a discussion of priorities to guide future investigation and clinical care. 12:30 PM — Bridging the gap: Why evidence-informed practice matters to the lipedema patient — Katrina Njie LPN 12:40 PM — What the most recent literature says about Lipedema Reduction Surgery (LRS) — Thomas Wright, MD, FACP, FAVLS, RVT 12:55 PM — Newest Basic Research Insights into Lipedema — Dr. Katharina Morawitz, Dr. Sabrina Gohlke 1:10 PM — Quantifying Lipedema Using Near-Infrared Light Spectroscopy with the Intention of Diagnosis — Thomas Kedra, Evan Chow, and Noah Deniaud Interactive Learning - Moderated discussion Q&A with Dr. Amier Sweis Thomas Kristof Kedra Co-Founder, CEO and President of KCD Medical, KCD Medical Dr. Thomas Wright Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Specialist Katrina Njie Patient Advocate Dr. Sabrina Gohlke Lipedema Researcher at German Institute of Human Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke Dr. Katharina Morawitz Lipedema Researcher at Institute of Molecular Medicine at the Health and Medical University, Institute of Molecular Medicine at the Health and Medical University Noah Deniaud Co-Founder and COO of KCD Medical Evan Chow Co-Founder and CTO of KCD Medical
1:45 pm	Session 10.1: Surgical Management — Methods, Anesthesiologist Perspective, Patient Selection Criteria and Care Planning Considerations A look at surgical techniques, anaesthetic considerations, and the planning factors that inform patient selection and aftercare. 1:45 PM — Potsdam Concept and Hybrid Method — Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi, MD 2:00 PM — Skin Removal following Lipedema Surgery: Indications and Timing — Dr. Adrian Zaharie 2:15 PM — Anesthesiologist's Perspective — Dr. Nornia Cornelius, MD 2:30 PM — Lipedema Surgery Abroad: Aftercare — Dr. lakovos Georgiou, MD 2:45 PM — Lipedema in the Arms: Staging and Treatment — Dr. Ana Carolina de Nadai, MD Dr. Ana Carolina de Nadai Plastic Surgeon Dr. lakovos Georgiou Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, Director of Plastic Surgery, German Medical Institute Dr. Adrian Zaharie Plastic Surgeon Dr. Norina Cornelius Senior Consultant in Anaesthesiology at Ernst von Bergmann Hospital in Bad Belzig, Germany, Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital
3:00 pm	Coffee/snack break
3:15 pm	Session 10.2: Surgeons Moderated Panel Discussion – Let’s Talk Lipedema Surgery An interactive panel in which leading surgeons discuss approaches, challenges, and open questions in — Let's Talk Lipedema Surgery Moderated by Angel Anderson Dr. med. Brigitte Habermalz Specialist in Surgery, Lymphology, LipoClinic Dr. Heck Dr. Ana Carolina de Nadai Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thomas Wright Venous and Lymphatic Medicine Specialist Dr. Norina Cornelius Senior Consultant in Anaesthesiology at Ernst von Bergmann Hospital in Bad Belzig, Germany, Dr. Apostolos Siafliakis Director of the Department of plastic and reconstructive Surgery, Lipedema and post-bariatric surgery., Esea Clinic Dr. Giw Mostofizadeh-Haghighi Chief Resident, Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Prof. (PD) Dr. med. Mojtaba Ghods Chief of Plastic Surgery, & President of Lipedema World Alliance, Klinik Ernst von Bergmann Bad Belzig, Germany
3:55 pm		Lipedema in Practice: Tools and Resources for Patients and Clinicians from the Lipedema Foundation Wrapping up how we can put our new lipedema knowledge into practice with a presentation from Stephanie Galia of the Lipedema Foundation. Discussing the resources and research roadmap from the foundation and leading an open discussion on the future directions for lipedema in not only Canada but across the globe. The Lipedema Foundation is a sponsor of the Lipedema Canada conference, and in compliance with the National standards we inform you that this session occurs outside of CDP accredited time. Stephanie Galia Associate Director, Special Projects at the Lipedema Foundation, Lipedema Foundation
4:30 pm	Closing Ceremony and Photo Op 4:30 PM – Interactive learning – Commitment-to-change activity 4:40 PM – Join us for the group photo – Let's Make History! 4:50 Closing Ceremony and Future Planning

Schedule

What's Going On at LipCanCon

Registration, Breakfast & Networking

Coffee / Snack Break

Lunch & Networking

Break

Coffee/snack break

Registration, Breakfast & Networking

Coffee/Snack Break

Lunch & Networking

Coffee/snack break

Lipedema in Practice: Tools and Resources for Patients and Clinicians from the Lipedema Foundation

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