A woman who hid away for 21 years with 'elephant legs' is now unrecognisable after spending £10k on surgery.
Yasmina Kemppainen, 36, began to experience pain in her legs when she was just 12 years old and they began to swell soon after.
As a teenager, people would tell her that she was "too skinny" but she found herself unable to look past what she called her "fat legs."
Suspecting something was wrong, Yasmina finally visited a doctor in 2018 and was diagnosed with lipoedema, a rare condition which causes an abnormal build up of fat.
The communications manager, from Espoo, Finland, closed herself away from the age of 12 until her diagnosis 21 years later.
She said: "I was 12 years old when I started to notice pain in my legs.
"Sometimes, they would swell, and I knew they looked different.
"It was depressing to notice. People said I was 'too skinny' but I just saw my fat legs."
Yasmina hated attending social events or the beach and told how the condition slowly took over her life.
Other adults would also refer to her legs as elephant legs or tell her to lose weight because she was too big.
"Others told me to lose weight because I was too big. I didn't like to go to social events because I didn't want to show my legs.
"I didn't go to the beach. I couldn't go dancing without tiring easily. I couldn't even manage at work anymore.
In February and April of 2019, Yasmina decided to pay £10,320 for liposuction surgery in Berlin, Germany, in which the fat was removed.
Alongside this, she also switched to a keto diet consisting of high-fat, low-carb content.
"I was finally diagnosed with lipoedema in February 2018 and my doctor talked me through the various options," Yasmina said.
"I flew to Med Plast Clinic in Berlin, Germany, and underwent two liposuction surgeries that really changed my life."
Prior to the surgery, Yasmina weighed 10st 7lb and wore a size XL on her lower half. Now, she weighs 8st 6lb and is able to wear a size XS.
Since the surgery, her confidence has grown leaps and bounds and she feels like she's taken control of her life again.
Now full of energy and confidence, she began posting her story online in a bid to help and inspire other women who might be in a similar situation.
"I feel strong now," Yasmina said.
"I feel confident. Lipoedema doesn't control my life anymore. I want to raise awareness about lipoedema for all of the other ladies who are suffering. I hope my story gives them hope.
"Surgery changed my life but adopting a keto diet has helped a lot too.
"I've been surrounded by supportive friends and my husband throughout all of this. My husband always tells me how strong I am.
"I never would have met him without the surgery. We met at a party and I never would have gone to a party before.
"Don't give up. Life can surprise you in a very positive way."
