This Morning presenter Josie Gibson, 41, has revealed she underwent calf liposuction costing £7,000 to address lipoedema, a condition she has battled since childhood. The surgery, performed in September, was described by Gibson as a 'last resort' after her symptoms worsened, leaving her legs swollen and painful.
Lipoedema, as defined by the NHS, is an abnormal build-up of fat in the legs and sometimes arms, causing disproportionate swelling and discomfort primarily in women. Gibson shared her struggle on This Morning in January, recalling how her legs would feel 'so heavy' during filming for Taste Of The West Country, often swelling and bruising easily after long days.
Gibson first suspected the condition after seeing social media comments describing her figure as a 'typical lipoedema body'. She said she 'always knew something wasn't right' and recalled difficulty walking after sitting cross-legged in primary school. Experts told her that diet and exercise alone cannot eliminate lipoedema fat, as it is genetic and worsens with age.
In addition to surgery, Gibson has embraced fitness and a 1970s-style diet, featuring smaller portions and simple foods like boiled potatoes, as explored in her Channel 5 documentary. Personal trainer Monty Simmons noted that such a diet's focus on less processed food carries a positive message for modern health.
