Television personality Josie Gibson has openly discussed her recent surgical procedures, including liposuction and an arm lift, as part of her ongoing struggle with lipoedema. The 41-year-old presenter took to her Instagram Stories on Friday to reveal that she underwent brachioplasty surgery, a decision she made to combat the chronic condition affecting her arms.
Details of the Surgical Procedure
According to medical sources such as the Cleveland Clinic, a brachioplasty, commonly referred to as an arm lift, is a surgical intervention designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arm. This operation typically requires one to two hours under general anaesthetic and often results in a scar along the inner arm. Recovery from such a procedure generally spans one to two weeks, with restrictions on heavy lifting lasting four to six weeks to ensure proper healing.
Josie's Personal Experience and Recovery
In a series of video clips shared with her followers, Josie explained her situation, stating, 'I went in to see Paul Tulley last Friday for brachioplasty.' She clarified that she is doing well, adding, 'There was nothing wrong with me I'm really, really good, in fact.' Despite having approximately 45 per cent of her arm removed, she reported feeling 'really good' just a week post-surgery.
Elaborating on her condition, Josie said, 'So for those of you who don't know what brachioplasty is, obviously I had liposuction on my arms, and then I've had an arm lift, and that's because the lipoedema is obviously on my arms as well.' Lipoedema, as defined by the NHS, is a chronic condition characterised by the abnormal accumulation of fat and connective tissue, typically in the legs, hips, bottom, and sometimes arms. It affects both sides of the body equally and is more prevalent in women, though it is distinct from obesity.
Motivations and Impact on Daily Life
Josie shared her personal motivations for undergoing the surgery, explaining, 'So I just felt gross whenever I was in like a vest top, and I just wanna go out in the summer and feel alright when I put a vest top on. Constantly fighting your genetics.' She described the procedure as having removed 45% of her arm, with bandages currently in place to maintain integrity during healing.
Reflecting on her recovery, she noted, 'But I'm very lucky, I'm quite a fast healer, so the only thing that has been annoying about it, there's been no pain, I've had no pain at all, but it just stopped me in my tracks. And those who know me know I am so busy, I'm always doing something, and this has really stopped me in my tracks.' She mentioned that even simple tasks like putting out the bins have become challenging, but overall, she expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, 'but otherwise I'm so glad I've had it done.'
Future Plans and Gratitude
The star announced that she plans to return to London at the end of the following week to have her bandages removed and will provide an update to her fans. She said, 'So, I am going into London at the end of next week to have my bandages off and I'll do a little video for you. But I did have it done a week ago today, and I feel great, I feel really good, considering I've had 45% of my arm removed, I feel really, really good.'
Josie also extended her gratitude to her medical team, saying, 'Paul Tulley and his team were amazing, I felt really relaxed, because I was nervous about this one, but they've been incredible. And then I went and see my beloved Karla Santos last night for lymphatic drainage, which is so important after you've had surgery, she's an angel, I love that woman so much, but thank you to everybody that has been taking care of me.'
