Josie Gibson, a This Morning presenter, claims she has spent thousands on surgery to relieve the condition, which she claims is “getting worse” as she ages.
Last week, Josie Gibson announced she had been secretly battling Lipoedema, an abnormal build-up of fat in the legs and sometimes arms. According to the NHS, the long-term condition can be painful and affect daily life, but there are steps sufferers can take that may help.
Speaking on This Morning, Josie, 40, said she “knew something wasn’t right with [her] body” but hadn’t heard of Lipoedema until fans pointed it out.
She was given the diagnosis in September after consulting various medical professionals.
Detailing her condition in conversation with the show’s hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, she said: “I train, I don’t overeat, I’m fit and healthy. They said I could train seven days a week and I wouldn’t get rid of lipoedema fat like that, it’s like congealed fat.
My body doesn’t belong to me because I have a small waist, but like my legs do.
They are “belonging to another body.” You have these large legs, but I’m getting worse as I get older.
Josie continued, claiming that she had already spent around £7,000 on liposuction to relieve discomfort.
Sharing her expertise, Dr Crystal Wyllie at ZAVA listed the warning signs to look out for and warned what could happen if the condition goes undiagnosed.
The lower body is enlarged, while your feet and hands are frequently spared, according to her. “A key warning sign is that the fat distribution is disproportionate,” she said. Patients frequently describe their legs as heavy, painful, or tender, and bruising is a common occurrence.
Important to note is that this fat frequently exhibits one of the earliest symptoms: “This fat doesn’t and won’t respond to diets or exercise in the way we’d expect.”
The doctor continued, “Recognising that this isn’t just weight gain,” adding that this is important. A lipoedema diagnosis should be taken into account if someone notices symmetrical enlargement of the legs, pain that worsens throughout the day, and family history of similar body shapes, frequently from puberty onwards.
It’s frequently mistaken for lymphoedema or obesity, which can cause protracted diagnostic delays, sometimes decades.
According to Dr. Wyllie, “symptoms can develop” if the condition goes undiagnosed for years.
These include increased joint strain, increased mobility, and secondary lymphoedema, which can make swelling worse.
The doctor noted that there is “a significant psychological impact,” with many patients experiencing frustration, shame, or even disordered eating in addition to the physical effects.
Additionally, she added that long-term care can help alleviate symptoms even when there is “no cure.”
She advises wearing compression clothing, avoiding repetitive motion, such as walking or swimming, weight-management techniques to lessen joint strain, and good skin care, adding that “specialist lipoedema-specific liposuction [like what Josie had] can be helpful in some cases.
Validating the existence of this condition, not a personal failing, is just as crucial.
What distinguishes lipoedema from lymphoedema?
The main distinction between lipoedema and lymphoedema, according to Dr. Crystal Wyllie, is that lipoedema is a disorder of fat distribution that spares the feet and hands and is frequently painful and prone to bruising.
Additionally, according to the NHS, “Feminine lipoedema is more prevalent.” Typically, it has an equally negative impact on both body parts. Your bottom, thighs, lower legs, and occasionally your arms don’t mesh with the rest of your body, due to lipoedema.
You might also experience pain, tenderness, or heaviness in the affected limbs, and you might also experience minor bruises. People have different effects from lipoedema.
Some people have mild symptoms that don’t have an impact on their quality of life. Others may have physical issues, blame themselves for body changes, and experience mental health issues.
Lymphoedema is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes swelling in the body’s tissues, according to the website. Any body part can be affected, but the arms or legs are typically the most affected.
It originates from improper lymphadenectomy. A network of body-wide channels and glands that aid in the elimination of extra fluid are known as the lymphatic system.
It is crucial to find and treat lymphoedema as soon as possible. It can get worse if it isn’t treated.
Source: Mirror
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