A woman has revealed her lifelong battle with a rare condition that costs £40,000 to “fix” – but says she’s taken care of it naturally.
Sarah Whitlow has always been self-conscious about the size of her legs, saying that they looked like they “belonged on a different person’s body”.
The 39-year-old used to be called “thunder thighs” at school, and as she got older, they only continued to grow.
Sarah, at her heaviest, weighed 22st 12lbs and knew something needed to change, but didn’t realise a rare condition was the underlying cause.
Now, after being diagnosed with lipedema and being told she would need to fork out £40,000 to “cure” her lifelong nightmare, she’s sharing her story to raise awareness.
“My ankles were non-existent; people often thought I never had any,” the sales and marketing executive from Kentucky, US, told Need To Know.
“I felt little knots under my skin constantly, which were excruciatingly painful.
“My legs felt too heavy to move, and I struggled to get out of bed most days.
“I remember once, my friend asked me: ‘Why do you have so much fat around your knees?’ and her words were like a slap in the face.
“After that, I vowed never to wear shorts again.
“People used to always stare at my legs, and the boys in school would call me ‘thunder thighs’.
“My arms were also an issue from an early age.
“They were so heavy that I was always too embarrassed to wear sleeveless tops.
“My mum even had to make a custom prom dress so I could cover up my arms.
“It hurt so much, and I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me.”
Sarah battled through and eventually went on to get married, along with having four children [not named for privacy reasons].
At this stage, though, she began comfort eating, indulging in takeaways, such as McDonald’s, every single day.
In 2017, on New Year’s Eve, Sarah recalls looking in the mirror and not recognising the person staring back at her.
She took action, joined a gym and within one year, lost over 7st.
Despite sporting a new toned physique, though, her legs were larger than they were before.
Sarah’s friend then showed her an article about lipedema, which causes an uneven distribution of fat in the body to store in the legs, arms and bottom.
She said: “Instantly, I knew that was the problem.
“I cut out carbs, and after a month, my legs felt smoother – but my calves were still huge.”
In 2020, she was officially diagnosed with the condition and told the only cure was liposuction surgery, followed by a thigh lift, costing £40,000.
Sarah, who had just gone through a divorce, didn’t have the cash to spare and so decided to take matters into her own hands, going on a low-carb diet instead.
The mum said: “I felt heartbroken that the only option I had of a cure would cost me everything.
“It wasn’t an option for me.
“I cut out all white carbs, went on a stairmaster and started lifting weights.
“After four years, my legs were smaller and smoother than ever before.
“I got rid of all the fat pads and knots under my skin.
“Now, I get compliments from strangers who can’t stop staring at my legs because of how toned they are.”
Sarah, who has to closely monitor what she eats, says that the lipedema is still an underlying issue.
She knows surgery is the only way to “tackle” her condition, but she is determined to win the fight naturally.
She added: “It’s taken a lot of strength to get to where I am today.
“And I know I still have a long way to go.
“But I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.
“Something which held me back in life is no longer a problem – and I won’t let it become one again.
“Don’t give up, there is a way to fight this without going under the knife and draining your savings.”
DIET BREAKDOWN:
BEFORE:
BREAKFAST: Two cheese bagels with three cups of cream cheese.
LUNCH: Large pizza and a big bowl of pasta.
DINNER: Pizza, breadsticks and pasta.
SNACK: Candy, cakes and bakery items.
AFTER:
BREAKFAST: Eggs, bacon and chicken sausages.
LUNCH: Prawns, chicken and eggs.
DINNER: Steak, eggs and cottage cheese.
SNACK: Fruit, eggs or vegetables.
