Josie Gibson has revealed that she spent £7,000 on surgery to tackle her “painful” lipoedema condition – a treatment not routinely available on the NHS.

Josie Gibson has shared that she underwent a £7,000 surgery to address her “painful” lipoedema, a procedure not commonly offered by the NHS.

The ITV presenter explained that what many viewers had thought was weight loss was actually the outcome of a “last resort” surgery she had in September.

Aiming to inspire others, the This Morning host spoke candidly about her journey, describing herself as someone who is “constantly battling my genetics.”

What is lipoedema?

During a segment on the show, she detailed her experience, saying, “You can’t do it all at once here. I was too afraid to go abroad for it. It’s a significant investment of both money and time. I’ve spent over £7,000 just on my calves.”

Lipoedema is a disorder affecting connective adipose tissue, predominantly impacting women. It’s estimated that around 10% of women in the UK suffer from this condition, which leads to an uneven accumulation of abnormal fat, typically found in the hips, buttocks, and legs, but it can also affect the arms.

Unlike regular body fat, this abnormal accumulation doesn’t respond to exercise or diet alone. As Josie shared upon receiving her diagnosis, “I told them I train and don’t feel like I overeat. I’m fit and healthy. They explained that even if you train seven days a week, you can’t get rid of lipoedema fat that way. It’s like congealed fat.”

The root cause of this condition remains somewhat of a mystery to medical professionals, although research indicates a potential genetic link.

What are the symptoms of lipoedema?

According to the NHS, in its early stages, lipoedema may manifest as larger legs, a slim waist and a significantly smaller upper body.

Common symptoms of the condition can include:

• Pain in the affected areas
• Heaviness in the affected areas
• Discomfort in the affected areas
• Nodular or uneven skin in the affected areas
• Affected areas bruise easily
• Fatigue
• Joint problems
• Swelling
• Reduced mobility
• Flat feet
• Gait problems

As lipoedema advances, the physical changes it induces may result in bodily disfigurement. This can spark a range of mental and emotional repercussions such as low self-esteem, shame and embarrassment.

Lipoedema UK highlighted that many people with the condition often try various diets and may lose weight, but the lipoedema remains unchanged. This can also lead to eating disorders, malnutrition and low energy levels.

What is the treatment for lipoedema?

There is a range of treatments available for lipoedema, from lifestyle adjustments to compression garments and counselling.

Those with severe lipoedema may need to undergo a procedure known as liposuction, which manually removes the fat. These procedures are not typically offered by the NHS, and patients often require multiple treatments to fully address the affected areas.

Lipoedema UK explains that this procedure is different from cosmetic surgery aimed at general fat reduction. Liposuction for lipoedema specifically targets the diseased fat cells.