ITV presenter Josie Gibson has opened up about her private surgery to treat a debilitating and often misunderstood condition, spending thousands of pounds in the process. The This Morning star was diagnosed with lipoedema last year and underwent what she described as a "last resort" operation in September.
Josie Gibson's Personal Health Battle
Josie Gibson clarified that a noticeable change in her appearance, which some viewers had attributed to weight loss, was actually the result of a targeted surgical procedure. She spent over £7,000 on treating just her calves, opting to have the surgery in the UK despite the higher cost.
"You can't do it all at once in this country," Josie explained candidly on the show. "And I was too scared to have it done abroad. But it's a lot of money and time." She shared her journey hoping to inspire others, describing herself as someone who is "constantly fighting my genetics."
What Exactly is Lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a chronic disorder of the adipose (fat) tissue that almost exclusively affects women. It is estimated that around 10% of women in the UK live with the condition, though many remain undiagnosed for years.
The disorder causes a symmetrical, disproportionate buildup of painful, abnormal fat, typically in the legs, hips, and buttocks, and sometimes in the arms. Crucially, this fat cannot be eliminated through diet or exercise alone.
Josie recounted her diagnosis, saying: "I said to them, 'I train, I don't feel like I overeat, I'm fit and healthy'. They said you could train seven days a week but you don't get rid of lipoedema fat like that. It's like congealed fat." Charity Lipoedema UK notes that many sufferers are initially misdiagnosed as simply obese.
Symptoms and Available Treatments
The symptoms of lipoedema extend beyond appearance. According to the NHS, common signs include:
- Pain, heaviness, and discomfort in the limbs
- Areas that bruise very easily
- Fatigue and joint problems
- Nodular, uneven skin texture
- Reduced mobility and swelling
As the condition advances, it can lead to significant physical changes and serious mental health impacts, including low self-esteem and eating disorders, as repeated dieting fails to affect the lipoedemic fat.
Treatment options range from conservative management like compression garments and counselling to surgical intervention. For severe cases, specialised liposuction is used to manually remove the diseased fat cells. This is distinct from cosmetic liposuction. However, this surgery is not routinely available on the NHS, often requiring patients to seek costly private care, as Josie did, and typically needing multiple procedures.
Josie Gibson's decision to speak out shines a vital light on a condition that causes significant physical and emotional pain for thousands of women across the country, highlighting the challenges of diagnosis and access to effective treatment.
