This Morning favourite Josie Gibson has revealed she underwent liposuction on her legs after a painful and exhausting battle with lipoedema, a long-term condition that causes fat and connective tissue to build up in the limbs.
The 40-year-old presenter shared how she was finally diagnosed after social media users pointed out she had a “lipoedema body” — comments that pushed her to seek answers.
Appearing on the ITV show, Josie explained:
“Someone actually said on Instagram, ‘You’ve got a typical lipoedema body.’ I always knew something wasn’t right with my body, but I didn’t even know what lipoedema was.”
She revealed she was diagnosed around a year ago and had her first surgery in September.
Looking back, Josie admitted the warning signs were there from childhood.
“When I was at primary school and had to sit cross-legged, when I stood up I couldn’t walk for five or ten minutes after,” she said.
“Back then, you’d just get on with it. They’d give me a chair until I could walk again — but it’s genetic, so I’ve had this since I was a kid.”
Determined to find answers, Josie said she consulted specialists in Berlin and three experts in London.
“My body just holds onto fat differently to a normal body,” she explained.
“I told them I train, I don’t overeat, I’m fit and healthy — and they said you could train seven days a week and still not get rid of lipoedema like that.”
She described how her figure felt increasingly unbalanced:
“I have a small waist, but it’s like my legs don’t belong to my body. As I get older, it’s getting worse — and I can see it in my arms now too.”
According to the NHS, lipoedema is a chronic condition that affects mainly women and is not the same as obesity. It can severely impact physical and emotional wellbeing.
Josie said her breaking point came while filming Taste Of The West Country.
“I was with Paul Ainsworth in the kitchen and had to keep propping myself up because my legs were so heavy,” she recalled.
“I’d get home after filming and my legs would swell up, become sore, and I’d bruise like a peach.”
She opted for surgery as a last resort, undergoing liposuction followed by VASER ultrasound treatment to break down fat cells.
“I’ve only done my calves so far,” she said.
“It’s split into sections — but it’s a lot of money. I paid over £7,000 just for my calves, and not many people can afford that.”
A video later showed Josie emotionally celebrating seeing her ankles for the first time.
“I know they look rank because I just came out of surgery, but I’ve got two ankles,” she laughed.
She confirmed she plans further procedures on other parts of her body.
Despite the ordeal, Josie remains determined — recently sharing an intense workout video and admitting she is “constantly fighting her genetics”.
Last year, she revealed she had already lost five stone naturally without fat jabs or surgery, following the Do The Unthinkable fitness and nutrition plan.
“I didn’t get a gastric bypass,” she wrote.
“I got off my big a**e, moved more, ate less and educated myself.”
