By Ellie Fawcett

A woman who bullies called "thunder thighs" is wearing shorts for the first time this year - after embracing her rare condition. 

Stockport woman Rebecca Hickson, 34, was diagnosed with lipoedema - an abnormal build up of fat in the legs - after struggling all her life with ''larger painful legs''.

As a teenager her thighs grew bigger and "bumpy" and her knee shape changed, and school bullies started teasing her.

In her twenties she went to unhealthy and extreme lengths to lose the weight - by exercising twice a day and restricting her calorie intake to just 800 calories a day - but still saw no results. 

Rebecca was so embarrassed by her legs that she kept them covered at all times - even wearing leggings on the beach in summer. 

Her legs and lower body had become painful and she was unable to stand for long periods of time. 

After multiple visits to her GP - who told her that she needed to lose weight - Rebecca was finally diagnosed with lipoedema after seeking private medical care in February 2024. 

(Image via SWNS)

Lipoedema is the abnormal accumulation of fat and other tissues under the skin - which can only be removed by surgery and can't be lost naturally.

Despite being diagnosed with the debilitating condition, Rebecca feels "validated" after fighting for years for answers. 

Rebecca, who works for a media agency, said: "I've always had bigger legs, for as long as I can remember I've been self-conscious of the shape of them. 

"I've had people shout "whale" at me in the street.

"I would never get my legs out, even in summer I would rather be hot and uncomfortable than show my skin. 

"I was so miserable, and I was working from home so not really leaving the house and I fell into a really dark place.  

"Finally getting a diagnosis feels like being listened to for the first time."

(Image via SWNS)

Rebecca first became self-conscious of her body while on a school trip to France when she was 14-years-old. 

While wearing a swimming costume, a cruel classmate told her to cover her legs. 

Rebecca explained: "I was really sporty as a child; I played netball and was on my rowing team. 

"But while I was on a school trip, a lad said my legs were disgusting and told me to put them away. 

"From that moment on, I never wore shorts again."

Rebecca was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid at 16 and put her weight gain down to her condition. 

She developed restrictive eating habits, such as skipping meals and weighing out all her food, in a desperate attempt to lose weight, but she remained the same size.

(Image via SWNS)

The weight gain and textured skin then spread from her legs to the rest of her body. 

Her obsession with her diet and weight spiralled out of control and she fell into a depression. 

Rebecca said: "I was never formally diagnosed with an eating disorder, but I had huge issues with food. 

"I weighed out everything I ate, was very strict with counting calories, and I'd skip meals. 

"I spent 20 years on a diet, and I was miserable. 

"I was exhausted all the time, and standing for too long hurt my legs so I didn't like going out. 

"I looked at my friends who were getting engaged and having babies, and I couldn't even bear to look at myself in the mirror. 

"I just felt so lonely and couldn't see a way out." 

(Image via SWNS)

After repeatedly being told by her GP to lose weight, she eventually sought help from a private doctor and was diagnosed with lipoedema, as well as lymphoedema and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. 

Lipoedema fat can only be removed surgically, and Rebecca has been told she will need up to 11 non-cosmetic lipo surgeries to remove fibrosis from the body.  

Rebecca now feels "free" despite being diagnosed with the conditions and plans on proudly showing off her legs this summer. 

Rebecca said: "It's been hard to come to terms with having a long-term illness, but knowing it's not my fault and knowing that I was right all along has made it easier to accept my body.

"It's a condition that I have to live with, and I can choose to continue to feel embarrassed, or love the body I have." 

Rebecca hopes to raise awareness of Lipoedema, by speaking about her experience on her TikTok - @the_chronic_connection 

Rebecca added: "In the first month alone I've had over 80 ladies reach out to me. 

"Lipoedema can affect anyone at any size, so if you think your legs or arms are disproportionally bigger or you can't lose weight, please research Lipoedema."

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