This Morning presenter Josie Gibson has opened up about her private health battle with lipoedema, a chronic condition she describes as "getting worse" with age. The 40-year-old television personality disclosed that she has spent thousands of pounds on surgical procedures to alleviate her symptoms, while medical experts warn there is currently no cure for the disorder.
Josie Gibson's Personal Struggle With Lipoedema
Last week, Josie Gibson revealed she had been secretly dealing with lipoedema, an abnormal accumulation of fat in the legs and sometimes arms that can cause significant pain and impact daily functioning. According to NHS guidelines, this long-term condition requires careful management, though certain approaches may help sufferers cope with their symptoms.
Speaking candidly on This Morning alongside hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, Josie explained: "I knew something wasn't right with my body" but had never heard of lipoedema until viewers brought it to her attention. After consulting multiple medical specialists, she received her formal diagnosis in September of last year.
The Physical Reality of Living With Lipoedema
Josie detailed her experience with the condition, stating: "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." She further described the disproportionate nature of her body shape, noting: "I've got this small waist, but it's like my legs, they don't belong to my body. They belong on another body. You get these big legs and as I'm getting older, it's getting worse."
The television presenter has invested approximately £7,000 in liposuction procedures specifically designed to reduce discomfort associated with lipoedema. This surgical intervention represents one approach to managing what medical professionals classify as a chronic condition without a definitive cure.
Medical Expert Issues Crucial Warning Signs
Dr Crystal Wyllie from ZAVA has outlined the key indicators of lipoedema and cautioned about the consequences of delayed diagnosis. She explained: "A key warning sign is that the fat distribution is disproportionate, the lower body is enlarged while your feet and hands are often spared. Patients commonly describe their legs as heavy, painful or tender to touch, and bruising happens very easily."
The doctor emphasised a critical diagnostic clue: "Important to note, this fat doesn't and won't respond to diets or exercise in the way we'd expect, which is often one of the earliest clues."
Early Recognition and Common Misdiagnoses
Dr Wyllie stressed the importance of timely identification: "Spotting it earlier comes down to recognising that this isn't 'just weight gain'. If someone, often from puberty onwards, notices symmetrical enlargement of the legs with pain, swelling that worsens through the day, and a family history of similar body shapes, a lipoedema diagnosis should be considered."
The medical professional highlighted a significant challenge in diagnosis: "It's frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphoedema, which can lead to long delays in diagnosis, often decades." Should the condition remain undiagnosed for extended periods, Dr Wyllie warned that "symptoms can progress," potentially leading to worsening pain, mobility limitations, increased joint strain, and secondary lymphoedema that exacerbates swelling.
Physical and Psychological Impacts of Lipoedema
Beyond the physical manifestations, Dr Wyllie noted there is also "a significant psychological impact" associated with lipoedema. Many patients experience frustration, shame, or even develop disordered eating patterns as they struggle with a condition that conventional weight management approaches cannot resolve.
While acknowledging there is "no cure" for lipoedema, the doctor explained that long-term management strategies can help alleviate symptoms. Recommended approaches include compression garments, gentle low-impact exercise such as swimming or walking, weight management to reduce strain on joints, and diligent skin care routines.
Dr Wyllie added: "In selected cases, specialist lipoedema-specific liposuction [like what Josie had] can be helpful. Just as important is validation, understanding that this is a medical condition, not a personal failing."
Distinguishing Lipoedema From Lymphoedema
Dr Crystal Wyllie clarified the differences between these two often-confused conditions: "The key difference between lipoedema and lymphoedema is that lymphoedema is caused by a failure of the lymphatic system and typically affects the feet and hands with pitting swelling, whereas lipoedema is a disorder of fat distribution that spares the feet and hands and is often painful and prone to bruising."
The NHS provides additional clarification, stating: "Lipoedema is more common in women. It usually affects both sides of the body equally. Lipoedema can make your bottom, thighs, lower legs and sometimes your arms look out of proportion with the rest of the body. You may also have pain, tenderness or heaviness in the affected limbs, and you may bruise easily."
The health service notes that lipoedema affects individuals differently: "Some people have mild symptoms that do not affect their life. Others can struggle with physical problems, blaming themselves for the changes in their body, and have mental health problems."
Regarding lymphoedema, the NHS explains: "Lymphoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs. It develops when the lymphatic system does not work properly. The lymphatic system is a network of channels and glands throughout the body that helps fight infection and remove excess fluid. It's important that lymphoedema is identified and treated as soon as possible. If it is not treated, it can get worse."
Josie Gibson continues her television work alongside managing her health condition, appearing on Would I Lie To You? tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One.
