Renowned Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has opened up about the ordeal that led to her recent critical surgery, urging everyone to pay close attention to their health.
In a conversation with Punch, the star revealed that while the procedure might not appear life-threatening to some, it was the most serious medical challenge she had ever encountered.
Omotola shared that her body finally gave way after enduring months of intense work-related stress. She recounted being rushed to the emergency room multiple times before doctors confirmed she required immediate surgery, a reality that left her deeply frightened.
She discovered a scar on her stomach, and medical professionals later explained that keyhole surgery was not an option because her gallbladder had become too enlarged.
The actress emphasized that she chose to speak about her experience publicly to motivate others to prioritize their health before it’s too late.
She said, “For some people, it might not seem like a life-threatening surgery, but for me, it was. I had never faced anything of that severity before and had been rushed to the emergency department multiple times. I had been working non-stop, editing my movies Mother’s Love and RR across two continents, barely sleeping two hours a day. My body was overworked. Eventually, I was rushed to the hospital after several visits and told I needed immediate surgery. It was shocking and terrifying. My husband wasn’t around, and my kids were scared.
After the surgery, I discovered a scar on my stomach. The surgeon explained that my gallbladder was too enlarged to be removed through keyhole surgery. It was a lot to process. I tell people now, if you ever feel sharp pains in your chest or back, get a CT scan or MRI immediately. Don’t wait like I did.”