Snooki Details Hysterectomy After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
Six months after revealing her cervical cancer diagnosis, reality television personality Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has shared an update on her health journey, detailing a major surgery she recently underwent. In an emotional video posted to Instagram on Saturday, the 38-year-old star explained that she had a hysterectomy to address the cancer.
The video montage began with footage of Polizzi arriving at the hospital and preparing for the procedure, accompanied by her voice-over narration. It then transitioned to her speaking directly to the camera after the surgery, candidly discussing her experience.
A Difficult Recovery and Emotional Toll
Polizzi admitted that she struggles with pain, noting, “I told you guys in general I’m not good with pain, and I’ve really been trying to be tough, but it’s not great.” She elaborated on the extent of the surgery, explaining that the procedure involved removing her uterus, cervix, and parts of her vagina, along with her fallopian tubes. “We kept my ovaries so I don’t go into pre-menopause, which is nice,” she added, highlighting a silver lining.
At one point, Polizzi became visibly emotional, cutting the camera briefly and telling viewers, “Sorry, it’s just been a lot,” but affirming her effort to “stay in good spirits.”
She recounted the moments leading up to the surgery, describing the preparation process which included being hooked up to machines and undergoing a nasal iodine treatment. She also had to use a special wipe for scrubbing her body, which left her feeling “nervous and anxious.”
“I was starting to get nervous and anxious, getting checked in and stuff, and then they wheel me in where they’re doing the procedure,” Polizzi recalled. “And I’m like, ‘Stay positive, it’s gonna be fine, don’t freak yourself out.’ My heart’s starting to race, I’m getting anxiety, and I’m getting the shakes. And then right when I go in, it’s just like, ‘Oh my god, like it hit me, like holy s—. I’m going under surgery. I’m losing my uterus and my cervix, fallopian tubes, half my vagina, like holy s—.’”
The star became tearful, admitting she “start[ed] hysterically bawling” due to fear. “I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” she expressed, feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. “I don’t wanna feel pain. It’s very scary.”
Despite her fear, Polizzi found comfort in the hospital staff. “But I got on the table and the nurses are great. They’re saying I’m gonna do fine. The doctors are great, so I lay down, and I’m like, ‘F—, it’s happening,’ and then they give me something in my IV to calm me down. And I’m like, What the f— couldn’t you give me this 20 minutes ago so I could calm down?” she said, injecting a moment of dark humor into the intense experience.
A Moment of Levity and Additional Treatment
In a lighter note, Polizzi shared a humorous anecdote about the anesthesia. She recalled being told that most people only hold their breath for about three seconds before passing out, and she was determined to set a new record, proudly stating she counted to ten. “I felt determined to ‘set the record’ for how long she could hold out before passing out from the anesthesia,” she explained.
Beyond the hysterectomy, Polizzi also underwent treatment for diastasis recti, a condition common after childbirth where abdominal muscles separate. “Obviously, I’ve had three kids, so when you have kids, sometimes your abs, they disconnect,” she explained.
Sharing Her Story for Others
Polizzi emphasized her motivation for sharing her health journey publicly. “It’s a scary thing and a lot of us women deal with it, and no one really talks about it. So I’m here to give that platform for all of us ladies,” she stated.
She acknowledged the messages from followers who are facing similar procedures. “And I read a lot of your comments that some of you are going to get surgery next week, you’re doing the same thing, so I’m here to show you what’s up and it’s scary, and it’s okay to be scared,” Polizzi continued. “But now it’s over. It’s over. I just have to deal with the pain. It’s just like any surgery. You have pain, you gotta manage it, manage it, get the pain meds, and in a couple of days, you’ll feel brand spanking new, no more periods. I don’t have to take birth control anymore. Hopefully I’ll be cancer free, and that’s it.”
She concluded her message by expressing gratitude to her supporters and urging women to prioritize their health. “get your Pap smears, okay?” she advised.
Polizzi first disclosed her Stage 1 cervical cancer diagnosis in February, at which time she indicated that a hysterectomy was likely.
