 |
Faye Rodgers-HarrisBritish woman with lipoedema.
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Biografy of Fay Rogers-Harris
- Discovering Lipoedema
- Struggles and Insecurities
- A Journey of Transformation
- Unwavering Support
Biografy of Fay Rogers-Harris
Fay Rogers-Harris, a British woman with lipoedema, recently underwent a procedure to remove 12 liters of fat from her legs in order to bring her wide thighs, each measuring 90 cm in circumference, back to a normal size. Fay, a 40-year-old resident of West Midlands county, has been struggling with excess weight for the past 30 years. At her heaviest, she weighed 146 kg, but her legs remained her main concern. Fay used a gastric band to lose 63 kg. However, the achievement was overshadowed by sagging and unsightly skin, which is why she decided to undergo liposuction. A total of 2.2 kg of excess skin was removed, and currently Fay's weight does not exceed 85-86 kg.
Discovering Lipoedema
Fay admitted that there had been a significant turning point in her life after she finally learned that she was suffering from lipoedema. Lipoedema is a condition in which fatty swellings occur. Fat cells grow in the legs, which in turn expand to an abnormal size. Fay stated, "My legs were so large that they rubbed against each other, starting from the upper inner part of the thighs and ending at the knees. I was extremely uncomfortable, and inflammation often manifested as pinpoint bleeding." She felt like she was constantly gaining weight regardless of the efforts she made to fight it.
Struggles and Insecurities
Fay revealed that even in middle school, she felt extremely self-conscious, which led her to stop participating in sports. Due to her large legs, Fay constantly had to provide medical certificates to be exempted from physical education, where girls typically wore short skirts. Additionally, Fay realized that she couldn't find pants that made her feel even a little more confident. She said, "I was deeply depressed about my appearance, especially my arms and legs. However, I kept gaining more and more weight until I reached almost 146 kg." At one point, the circumference of the thickest part of her leg measured 90 cm, which was the same as her husband's waist size. Currently, Fay wears a size 48 clothing.
A Journey of Transformation
Lipoedema was detected when Fay consulted plastic surgeon Ann Dancy about removing 2.2 kg of fat and skin after significant weight loss. "Miss Dancy told me that my case was extremely challenging," recalls Fay, "but liposuction was an option to consider. I can't even describe how I felt at that moment." She had already given up hope that her legs would ever become a normal size. She knew that liposuction would be a painful process, but she also knew she had to do it. Throughout her transformation, Fay's husband Richard witnessed her body shrinking and her confidence growing. "I truly believe that without him, I wouldn't have been able to do it," she added.
Unwavering Support
Fay also credits her parents with being amazing throughout the process. They supported her emotionally, physically, and financially, despite their horror at the thought of the serious and radical procedures she had to undergo. "They always reassured me that they loved me regardless of my weight. Yet I think they understood how important it was for me to go through these changes," Fay said. "For the first time in many years, I am happy and content with how I look."
Miss Dancy, who works at Spar Park Hospital in Solihull, described lipoedema as a condition in which fatty tissue accumulates in the legs and sometimes the arms in specific patterns. "The disease can affect women of any size, ranging from patients with severe overweight to women with morbid obesity. Diet and exercise are not effective in removing the fat deposits," she explained. As soon as she saw Fay, Miss Dancy immediately recognized that she had lipoedema.
