I have Lipoedema - a serious disorder affecting up to 11% of women worldwide which is barely recognized by medical practitioners.

So what is lipoedema? It’s a little-known disorder of the adipose, or fat, tissue of the body, where fat cells accumulate and grow abnormally. In Lipoedema, the hips, buttocks and limbs, are out of proportion with the rest of the body.

Women with Lipoedema often try multiple diets to control the size of their limbs by dieting without success. Many are accused of overeating, even when they consume very few calories. Lipoedema can be very distressing as the affected areas do not reduce in size, despite following the same healthy diet and exercise routines as family or friends.

Typically it gets worse over time, pain is always present, and sufferers bruise easily.

Complications include severe depression, anxiety, and pain.

For me, as well as the constant pain, it has also has several severe skeletal repercussions and now the weight of my arms is starting to cause neck problems, and the weight of the disease has caused serious cartilage damage to both my knees making stairs and exercise increasing difficult.

Current treatment of lipedema includes both conservative therapy and surgical intervention. Conservative treatments include compression bandaging and garments which are painful, ugly and hot.

The only current method of curing lipoedema fat is a specialized form of liposuction, either water-jet assisted or tumescent, which must be performed in a way as not to disturb the lymphatic system. However, such expensive surgery is not covered by insurance and will be a long process.

Ive been told to get better I need 5 surgeries all costs around £8000. From my inheritance I can pay for 2.5 of these surgeries which is why I am fundraising for money.

I need £3000 to complete paying for the third surgery and

£8000 for the fourth and

£8000 for the fifth.

I am starting to get increasingly unwell with this condition so it’s time to make the dramatic decision to try to get surgical treatment. I have an amazing surgeon and although inside I am terrified of so much surgery, so much pain, I really need this. I need this to preserve my mobility, and combat the increasing power of depression and negative self-image.