Josie Gibson, the popular TV presenter from This Morning, recently opened up about her struggle with lipoedema. In a candid interview with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, she revealed that she had undergone a £7,000 liposuction procedure on her calves. Josie was diagnosed with lipoedema, a chronic condition that causes an abnormal build-up of fat in the legs and sometimes arms.
Returning from her holiday in Thailand, Josie decided to address the rumors around her weight loss. She clarified that she hadn't lost six stone as reported by the media. Instead, she had been diagnosed with lipoedema a year ago and had recently undergone surgery in September. She explained, "I always knew something wasn't right with my body, but I didn't know what lipoedema was at all. I just decided to say I had it a couple of days ago, there's been so many articles about my body losing five stone, losing six stone, I wish I'd lost that much weight, but I haven't."
Josie also shared how she feels her legs look disconnected from the rest of her body, and as she is getting older, the condition is getting worse. She said, "I can see it all in my arms now as well." Despite her efforts to train and lift weights, she finally decided to opt for surgery. She underwent a combination of lipo treatment and vasering, which involves burning the inner layer of skin to contract and tighten it.
However, for Josie, surgery was her last resort, and she didn't want to put herself through it. Lipoedema is a chronic condition primarily affecting women, and it can be genetic. It causes a disproportionate body shape, where the legs and arms are large, but the hands and feet remain unaffected. The condition is often misdiagnosed as obesity, and it can lead to easy bruising, heaviness, and tenderness. To manage the symptoms and prevent progression, treatment may involve compression, massage, diet, exercise, and sometimes liposuction.
So far, Josie has only had the surgery on her calves, as it cannot be done all at once. She also acknowledged that not everyone can afford the surgery, and it costs a lot of money. She said, "I paid over £7,000 for just my calves, and you split it up into sections, so it is a lot of money." Josie has now decided to opt for surgery for her condition.
This revelation comes after Josie's diagnosis of a disease that she thought was only reserved for 16th-century kings. She had high levels of uric acid and pain in her toes, which led doctors to suspect gout. She joked, "I thought only kings like Henry VIII and old men got gout." In another incident, Josie had a "frightening" cancer scare when she found a large lump on her breast. This led her to remove her breast implants.
Josie's story is a reminder that we should never judge someone's journey based on their appearance. She has been open and honest about her struggles, and her bravery has inspired many. This Morning airs on weekdays on ITV. If you have a story to share, you can get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing them, calling, or visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
