Sandra Lee revealed that she underwent a hysterectomy after her gynecologist noticed a change in her cells after the battle with breast cancer nearly seven years ago.
The 55-year-old Food Network star had to be operated on Los Angeles on Tuesday with her fiancé Ben Youssef next to her, Page six reported. The same day she told about the operation Instagramadmitting that she had postponed it for years.
‘Soooooo this is happening! A few years ago I had to have a very intensive operation. It was a continuation of my breast cancer surgery, but I postponed it many times and then COVID struck, ”she explained.
Sandra Lee, 55, revealed on Instagram that she underwent a hysterectomy, saying a gynecologist had noticed “noticed a change in some of my cells.”
The Food Network star had to undergo surgery in Los Angeles on Tuesday with her fiancé Ben Youssef, she reported.
“Fast forward to now, during a routine meeting with my gynecologist, she noticed a change in some of my cells. I went for a second and third opinion and they all confirmed the same.
The change in the cells covering the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, can lead to an unusual result of cervical screening.
“These changes are not cancer,” he said Cancer Research UK. “Cells often return to normal on their own. But in some women, if left untreated, these changes can develop into cancer in the future.
Lee said she immediately thought of talking to a friend who had told her years ago that she might consider a complete hysterectomy.
“But after all the problems I had with my breast cancer surgery, the last thing I wanted to do was do another big operation – so I didn’t do it!” She said.
“For the past few years, I have watched and admired the grace of other women who went public with their own healthy decision, while I sat aside with reverence and a little fear. Brave women, like my friend’s mother, who unfortunately lost her battle with breast cancer after it spread to her ovaries.
Lee, pictured with his former, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.
Cuomo was with her when she underwent a double mastectomy in 2015 and began reconstructive surgery a year later.
Sources told Six that reading about Amy Schumer’s and Angelina Jolie’s medical problems gave Lee the strength to move on with the operation.
Sumer, 40, had a hysterectomy and appendectomy last year to treat endometriosis, a painful condition of the uterus.
Meanwhile, 46-year-old Jolie underwent a double mastectomy in 2013 after passing a positive test for the BRCA1 gene, which dramatically increased her risk of cancer. Two years later, her ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed.
Jolie’s mother, Marceline Bertrand, died in 2007 at the age of 56 after nearly eight years of battling ovarian and breast cancer.
“I admit, I’m a little embarrassed that I haven’t had the courage to finish this last stage so far,” Lee wrote in his candid post. “So, as you read this post, I’m having a hysterectomy. An operation that such brave women before me had to do.
Lee, pictured in January, admitted to postponing a hysterectomy for years “and then COVID hit”
Sources said reading about Amy Schumer (left) and Angelina Jolie (right), who have similar procedures, has given Lee the strength to move on with the operation.
“I admit, I’m a little embarrassed that I haven’t had the courage to finish this last stage so far,” Lee wrote in his candid post.
“It will be a complete procedure and then there will be no more halo of anxiety hanging over my head. My sweet Ben is with me and I’m going to take some time off to stay home.
Lee said she was grateful for everyone’s support, saying “her friends and family were amazing.”
“I am full of emotions. I am scared, but I am also happy to be able to do this – strength and courage! “She said:” We must always remember that we have strength and courage. ”
“We hope that this will encourage everyone who needs to have an appropriate procedure to take advantage of the opportunity now to live as happy and healthy as possible,” she concluded. “We all need to live our best lives every day and in every way.
“With this I send you all the love of the world, your good wishes and prayers are valued more than you know.”
Lee moved to Malibu after she and Cuomo separated in September 2019, and she met Yousef almost two years later in March 2021.
Yousef proposed to Lee in August during their whirlwind trip to France
Lee’s ex, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, was with her when she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy in 2015.
She praised him for his incredible support during her battle with cancer and subsequent reconstructive surgery.
Lee developed an infection from his double mastectomy and was rushed to hospital in August 215.
“I did my best to avoid this (when I tell you I did everything, I mean everything – modern, eastern and holistic), but the infection is an incredible monster,” she wrote in Facebook message to fans at the time.
“I’m far from where I was and far from where I should be, but at this point I realize that right now I just have to finish this unexpected phase of the difficult journey.”
Lee praised Yousef in a gushing post about Valentine’s Day last month
She shared a carousel of their shared photos, including photos of them kissing
“So this happened!” Ben happened! Love has happened! Happiness has happened! ‘ she wrote. “I was sure it would never happen again.” I was shocked when it happened.
Lee began his reconstructive surgery in 2016 and took four years to complete due to complications.
“It’s a really intense thing to do with this operation,” she said people in June 2016. “After turning off the lights go out. You say, “Oh God, please, dear Lord, take care of me while I’m here.”
WHAT IS A HYSTERECTOMY?
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus.
There are three types:
- PARTIAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes two-thirds of the uterus.
- TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes the uterus and cervix.
- RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY: Removes the uterus, cervix and ovaries.
The operation is most often performed on women between the ages of 40 and 49.
More than 20 million American women have had a hysterectomy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As women approach menopause, their chances of developing one of several serious uterine diseases increase. Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy as a treatment for:
- fibroids
- endometriosis
- cancer of the uterus (endometrium).
- chronic uterine pain or bleeding
- contracted uterus
In some cases, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy as a preventative measure if the woman has significant warnings or early signs of developing one or more of these conditions.
When necessary, surgeons can also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes if they have also been damaged or are at serious risk of damage.
Removal of the reproductive organs sends a woman’s body to menopause, no matter how old she is.
This comes with unpleasant side effects such as hot flashes and many women have to start hormone therapy by taking estrogen to balance their own hormones.
Lee – who was called “First Girlfriend” while with Cuomo – remained quiet for most of his first two terms as governor, but she emerged as an advocate for cancer screening after her own diagnosis.
“Early diagnosis just gives you the opportunity to be the most aggressive you can be,” she told People in 2018. “This is the best treatment.”
Lee also revealed his diagnosis of cancer in the 2018 HBO documentary RX: Early Detection, A Journey for Cancer with Sandra Lee.
She moved to Malibu after she and Cuomo separated in September 2019. They dated for 14 years and lived together, but never got engaged in a decade and a half as a couple.
Lee and Youssef are believed to have met at a charity event in Santa Monica in March 2021, making his first move.
He is the father of five-year-old twins with his soon-to-be ex-wife, California-based broker April Stevenson.
Although the couple is still legally married, they separated in 2019 and filed for divorce in January 2020.
Yousef proposed to Lee in August during their whirlwind trip to France, which coincided with the sexual harassment scandal surrounding Cuomo.
“Ben really wanted to distract Sandra from all the news, so he took her to Paris,” an unnamed source close to Yousef told the New York Post.
“He knows how hard it was for her and he wants to make sure she feels loved and supported.”
The source added: “Ben is incredibly protected by Sandra. They are kindred spirits and infinitely in love.
Cuomo, 64, resigned in August after investigators working for New York Attorney General Leticia James compiled a report alleging he had sexually harassed 11 women.
The disgraced governor has denied the allegations, and some speculate he may challenge James in the upcoming election.
He released an advertisement on Monday depicting him as a victim of a “political attack” by James, who later made a failed bid for governor.
Lee, meanwhile, could not be happier than Yousef, whom she praised in a glittering Valentine’s Day post last month. She shared a carousel of their shared photos, including photos of them kissing.
“So this happened!” Ben happened! Love has happened! Happiness has happened! ‘ she wrote. “I was sure it would never happen again.” I was shocked when it happened. I swore I would never fall again, trust myself again, love again, or open up again.
“On our one-year anniversary, I will share the story of how we met, but until then, my wish for you is that no matter where you are, how old you are or what has happened, you can welcome the hope of your life again. ‘