Yasmin Brunet has opened up about her battle with lipedema, a chronic condition impacting her quality of life severely. The 36-year-old model and influencer recently shared her experiences, detailing how misdiagnoses and the challenges of participating in the reality show Big Brother Brasil 24 (BBB) exacerbated her health struggles.
Initially unaware of her condition, Yasmin reported, “Meu lipedema afeta principalmente do joelho para baixo, mas também um pouco na coxa. Eu estava superinflamada. No BBB, engordei muito. Já entrei um pouco acima do peso porque estava inflamada, e lá engordei mais ainda. Nunca estive tão inflamada na minha vida. Sentia muita dor e sempre pedia remédio para a produção. Até então, eu não sabia que tinha lipedema. Achava que era problema de circulação,” as she addressed her symptoms to O Globo.
During her time on the show, Yasmin experienced significant weight gain, leading to severe inflammation. “Quando o lipedema está muito inflamado, como acontecia comigo no BBB, você não consegue ficar em pé, andar, nem se movimentar direito. Sente peso, dor, desconforto e perde mobilidade. Não consegue correr, ficar muito tempo em pé ou sentado porque tudo dói. É um desconforto constante,” she explained, showcasing the debilitating effects the condition had on her everyday life.
Before receiving the correct diagnosis, Yasmin visited numerous specialists who misidentified her condition as lymphatic edema. She remarked, “Já tinha ido a angiologistas e especialistas vasculares. Sempre me diagnosticavam com edema linfático. Quem sofre disso toma diuréticos e faz massagens para reter menos líquido, mas eu nunca melhorava. Não fazia massagem porque, quando tocavam minha perna, eu gritava de dor. A sensação de estar inflamada com lipedema é como tocar em uma ferida aberta. Não suportava o toque.” This series of incorrect assessments led to frustrating treatment approaches, none of which provided her any relief.
After being properly diagnosed, Yasmin began to receive appropriate treatment, involving lifestyle changes and medical care aimed at managing her lipedema. Through re-education and specific exercises, she successfully lost 14 kilograms, gaining back much of her mobility and quality of life. This transformative period emphasized the need for greater awareness of lipedema, which is often misinterpreted as mere obesity or circulation issues.
Aside from her health improvements, the period following her participation on organic reality television showcased Yasmin’s entrepreneurial spirit. She launched her own perfume, “Afrodite,” which she worked on for two years. The fragrance project represented not only her passion for scents but also marked her evolution from reality television personality to businesswoman.
Reflecting on her past year, Yasmin stated, "A experiência de viver no BBB foi intensa e quase ninguém pode entender sem ter vivido." This indicates the complex emotional and psychological challenges she faced, particularly as she transitioned back to normalcy after the show.
Her commitment to self-care and health advocacy seems to inspire many. By sharing her struggles, Yasmin aims to educate others about lipedema and the significance of seeking proper medical advice. With her newfound fame and influence, she continues to interact with her audience on social media, where she shares details about her daily routine, treatments, and personal growth.
Yasmin Brunet’s determination and resilience reflect not just her transformation but also highlight the broader issue of health literacy surrounding obscure conditions like lipedema. The attention she brings to her condition could make a significant difference for women experiencing similar struggles, empowering them to pursue appropriate care and advocacy.