Josie Gibson revealed she underwent a£7,000 surgery to address her "painful" lipoedema condition. The ITV presenter clarified that what audiences mistook for weight losswas in fact the outcome of her "last resort" operation in September.

The This Morning presenter shared her journey in the hope of "inspiring someone out there", describing herself as "one of those who is constantly fighting my genetics".

Speaking candidly about her surgery on the show, she explained: "You can't do it all at once in this country. And I was too scared to have it done abroad. But it's a lot of money and time. I've paid over £7k for just my calves."

Lipoedema is a connective adipose tissue disorder predominantly affecting women, with approximately 10 per cent of women in the UK thought to be living with the condition. It triggers a disproportionate accumulation of abnormal fat, typically in the hips, buttocks and legs, though it can also appear in the arms.

Unlike regular body fat, this abnormal accumulation cannot be shifted through exercise or diet alone. As Josie revealed when she received her diagnosis: "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."

Lipoedema UK has highlighted that many individuals are initially misdiagnosed as obese and struggle to receive the correct diagnosis for years. The cause of this condition remains somewhat elusive to experts, although research suggests it may be genetic.

The NHSstates that in its early stages, lipoedema may result in a person having larger legs, a slim waist and a significantly smaller upper body.

Common symptoms of the condition itself 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

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As lipoedema progresses, the physical alterations it causes may lead to bodily disfigurement. This can trigger a host of mental and emotional side effects such as low self-esteem, shame and embarrassment.

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

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

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

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