Sandra Lee Undergoes Hysterectomy as ‘Final Stage’ of Breast Cancer Recovery: ‘All Sorts of Emotions’ (2024)

• Sandra Lee, 55, revealed that she underwent hysterectomy surgery.
• She admitted to putting off the operation as a final step to her breast cancer recovery, but her doctor recently found a “change in some of my cells,” which prompted her to schedule the procedure.
• Lee wrote that she’s glad “there won’t be any more halo of worry hanging over my head.”

After having major complications with mastectomy recovery in 2015, the last thing Sandra Lee wanted was to go under the knife again. But the Food Network star’s doctor recently made an unsettling discovery and recommended a full hysterectomy. In a March 1 Instagram post, Lee shared the news with the world hours before heading into surgery.

“During a routine appointment 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 55-year-old wrote. She added that she was supposed to have “quite an intense surgery” following her mastectomy “several years ago,” but she “repeatedly put it off,” and then the pandemic hit.

The chef was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and underwent a double mastectomy that same year. Unfortunately, her recovery from that operation wasn’t easy—she ended up back in the hospital with an infection and fluid build-up, which was treated with antibiotics and eventually, another surgery. Those complications threw off her goals to undergo a series of reconstruction operations, which she finally began in 2020.

Now, the star has found herself back on the operating table. She knew she couldn’t put it off much longer. “Over the last few years I have watched and admired the grace of other women who went public with their own health decision while I sat on the sidelines in awe and with a bit of fear,” she wrote on Instagram. “I admit, I am a little embarrassed that I hadn’t had the courage to get this final stage done until now.”

Lee continued: “So while you’re reading this post I am undergoing hysterectomy surgery. A surgery that so many brave women before me have had to do. It’ll be an everything-out procedure and after that, there won’t be any more halo of worry hanging over my head.”

This final step in recovery admittedly has Lee filled with “all sorts of emotions,” she wrote. And understandably so. “I am scared but also happy to be getting this done- strength and courage!” she added. “Hopefully this will encourage anyone who needs to get a concerning procedure done to take the opportunity now so you can live as happy and healthy as possible. We must all live our best lives every day and in every way.”

According to a statement obtained by People, Lee’s surgery “was a success and she's resting comfortably.”

It is not uncommon for breast cancer survivors to develop ovarian cancer, especially if they are carriers of the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene (which we don’t know that Lee is). Studies have found that hysterectomies or oophorectomies (the removal of one or both ovaries) can lower these risks.

Now that Lee’s on the other side of the procedure, we’re wishing her a speedy recovery!