Josie Gibson, a television personality, has addressed speculation that she used weight loss injections, attributing her reported 2.5 stone (approximately 35 pounds) weight loss to her demanding schedule as a working mother and a surgical procedure to address lipoedema. Gibson stated that the significant changes in her appearance are not due to "fat jabs" but rather the result of managing a busy life.
Gibson recently underwent liposuction and an arm lift, a brachioplasty, costing £7,000, to treat lipoedema, a condition that causes abnormal fat buildup. She described the surgery as "the best thing she ever did" after years of struggling with her body image.
"The amount of people that have gone: ‘Fat jabs, fat jabs, fat jabs!’ I’m like: ‘How about single mum running around the country, trying to hold down a career and sort a house build, while trying to do everything else as well, including the cleaning – how about that?’" Gibson stated in an interview.
She expressed skepticism about weight loss injections, noting concerns about potential side effects like hair loss and digestive issues. Gibson has openly discussed her journey with lipoedema since March, revealing she had 45% of her arm removed. She shared that the condition made her feel "gross whenever I was in like a vest top" and that she wanted to feel more confident during summer.
Lipoedema is a chronic condition characterized by the buildup of adipose tissue, typically affecting the legs, buttocks, hips, and arms. It is more common in women and differs from obesity. Gibson stated that it was a "heartbreaking" realization to learn she couldn't out-train the condition, but it helped her understand her body.
Beyond surgery, Gibson has focused on wellness, incorporating a treadmill for exercise, collagen supplements, electrolytes, and lymphatic drainage treatments. She also mentioned using NAD+ and glutathione injectables for anti-aging and healing, along with renting a hyperbaric chamber to aid recovery. Gibson has also explored alternative wellness tools, including building a copper pyramid triangle.
The brachioplasty procedure, commonly known as an arm lift, aims to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arm. According to medical information, it typically lasts one to two hours under general anesthesia and usually results in a scar along the inner arm. Recovery involves restricting heavy lifting for several weeks.
Gibson previously shared that despite consistent workouts, she struggled to reduce "lumps and excess weight" due to lipoedema. She described the condition as "constantly fighting your genetics."