Navigating Lipedema Surgery with Deborah Ford: Advocacy, Insurance, and ResilienceIn this episode of Stronger Than Lipedema, hosts Cindy continues her conversation with Deborah Ford, who shares her journey through multiple lipedema surgeries and her experience with finding a new surgeon.

Deborah provides invaluable advice on navigating the insurance processes, advocating for oneself, and managing the emotional and physical toll of dealing with lipedema.

She emphasizes the importance of self-love, persistence, and building a supportive community.

This episode offers hope, practical tips, and inspiration for anyone managing lipedema.00:00 Welcome to Stronger Than Lipedema00:55 Deborah Ford's Surgery Journey02:39 Navigating Insurance Challenges04:39 Advocating for Yourself24:27 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Surgery27:12 The Importance of Support and Community29:13 Building Community Through Podcasts30:22 Finding What Works for You31:31 Diet and Lifestyle Choices32:38 Navigating Health Noise39:40 The Importance of Compression40:08 Personal Journey and Success45:10 Challenges and Misconceptions49:25 Loving Yourself Beyond Appearance52:39 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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Website is below Kristy Dellacroce,MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

Sunrise Healing, LLC⁠ ⁠⁠sunrisehealingaz.com⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

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IG:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/withcindyhowell/⁠⁠⁠

Cindy Howell RN PHC MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Top 5 Foods to Avoid for Managing Lipedema! Click there Link: https://withcindyhowell.com/checklist/

Free surgery course: ⁠https://l.bttr.to/6cATB

In this episode of 'Stronger Than Lipedema', hosts Cindy and Kristy welcome Debra Ford, who shares her personal battle with lipedema. Debra discusses her late diagnosis, the challenges she faced growing up with the condition in rural Alabama, and her numerous lipedema removal surgeries.

The conversation dives deep into her experiences with weight loss surgery, the struggles with chronic pain, and the various treatments and strategies she has employed to manage her condition.

Despite multiple surgeries and moving across the country for better medical care, Debra's resilience and determination shine through as she continues to fight for better health and mobility.

The episode also touches on the correlation between lipedema, ADHD, and autism.

Debra emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the personalized nature of managing lipedema.00:00 Introduction to Stronger Than Lipedema00:58 Debra's Lipedema Journey Begins03:35 Challenges and Misdiagnoses04:55 The Role of Autism and ADHD06:17 Exploring GLP Medications12:51 Weight Loss Surgery Struggles17:03 Discovering Lymphedema18:41 Fighting for Proper Diagnosis19:23 The Impact of Silicone Allergies25:29 Mobility and Osteoarthritis Issues27:45 Seeking Advanced Treatment28:26 Emotional Aftermath and Initial Struggles28:58 Exploring International Surgery Options30:25 Finding Dr. Haggerty31:14 Challenges and First Surgeries32:11 Daily Life Before and After Surgery34:42 Insurance Battles and Further Surgeries36:21 Recovery and Realizations37:07 The Brutal Reality of Lipedema Surgery41:16 Advocacy and Self-Reliance43:25 Final Surgeries and Insurance Struggles52:40 Concluding Thoughts and Next Steps

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Kristy's Contact information:

IG⁠⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/sunrisehealingaz?igsh=bnNleGpubHhhdDFr&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠

FB Group⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F3pseJKUd/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠⁠⁠

Website is below Kristy Dellacroce,MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

Sunrise Healing, LLC⁠ ⁠⁠sunrisehealingaz.com⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

⁠FB:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/withcindyhowell⁠⁠

Private FB Group:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021999704562921⁠⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/withcindyhowell/⁠⁠⁠

Cindy Howell RN PHC MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Free surgery course: https://l.bttr.to/6cATBhttps://l.bttr.to/6cATB

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Thomas Hagopian, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in Lipedema.

Dr. Hagopian shares his background, the reason behind his move to Atlanta, and his experience in treating Lipedema.

He discusses the complexities of Lipedema surgery, from the challenges of insurance approvals to the differences between cosmetic and symptomatic surgery.

Dr. Hagopian emphasizes the importance of patient expectations, the need for thorough consultations, and the significance of finding a qualified surgeon.

He also addresses the concerns and misconceptions about anesthesia, the role of physical therapy in preparing for surgery, and the trends in insurance coverage for Lipedema.

This episode provides valuable insights into the surgical and non-surgical management of Lipedema, aiming to educate and guide patients through the process.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:40 Journey to Atlanta02:09 Specializing in Lipedema03:29 Insurance and Patient Experience05:37 Surgical Techniques and Considerations08:56 Importance of Board Certification20:46 Insurance Challenges and Trends28:19 Navigating the Complexities of Lipedema Documentation29:09 Challenges Faced by Lipedema Patients30:08 Misconceptions and Misunderstandings About Lipedema33:18 The Role of Surgery in Lipedema Treatment43:40 Consultation and Insurance Process for Lipedema Surgery51:03 Advice for Lipedema Patients Considering Surgery

Follow us on Social media!!!

Kristy's Contact information:

IG⁠⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/sunrisehealingaz?igsh=bnNleGpubHhhdDFr&utm_source=qr⁠⁠⁠

FB Group⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F3pseJKUd/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠⁠⁠

Website is below Kristy Dellacroce,MS,OTR/L, MLD-C

Sunrise Healing, LLC⁠ ⁠⁠sunrisehealingaz.com⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Lipedema Advocate 856-297-7437

Cindy contact information

⁠FB:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/withcindyhowell⁠⁠

Private FB Group:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/7021999704562921⁠⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/withcindyhowell/⁠⁠⁠

Cindy Howell RN PHC MPCH

Website:⁠ ⁠⁠www.withcindyhowell.com⁠⁠⁠

Lipedema advocate: 860-550-1161

Dr. Thomas Hagopian

https://www.instagram.com/drthomashagopian/?hl=en

https://youtu.be/0AWz2pKmahU?si=nU33GFLzY4tJPS8f

To schedule a consult, call the office: