Dr Zoe Williams Announces Successful Recovery From Major Spinal Surgery
This Morning's resident doctor Zoe Williams has confirmed she is now "home and comfortable" following a significant spinal operation. The 45-year-old television personality underwent the major surgery earlier this month after enduring years of chronic back pain, with medical professionals now confirming the procedure has been successful.
Social Media Updates Document Recovery Journey
Taking to Instagram to share her progress, Dr Williams posted a photograph of herself relaxing on a sofa with the caption: "I'm home and comfortable after my back surgery this afternoon. Will share lots more in the coming days." In additional posts, she demonstrated remarkable progress by sharing videos of herself walking just one hour after the surgical procedure.
As she rose from her seat in one video, a distinct creaking sound could be heard, prompting the doctor to humorously remark: "That was just the knees clicking. They do that." Another post showed the bandage covering the surgical site at the base of her spine, accompanied by the important medical advice: "Dressed. No bending, twisting, lifting for six weeks."
Surgeon Confirms Successful Procedure
In further social media content, Zoe's surgeon Mr. Akmal provided professional confirmation that the operation "went really well." He elaborated on the medical specifics, explaining: "The nerves were being literally … normally your nerve canal should be really circular but yours was kind of flat – so the nerves were being really compressed."
Understanding Spinal Stenosis: The Condition Behind the Surgery
Dr Williams had previously revealed she would be undergoing the surgery as a "last resort" after living with persistent pain caused by spinal stenosis. She provided detailed medical explanation to her followers: "My diagnosis is of severe spinal stenosis and the surgery is called a lumber decompression. The surgeon will be removing overgrown ligaments and bone which are a result of degenerative changes to my spine."
She further clarified: "These structures, as well as a slightly bulging disc are encroaching on my spinal canal meaning that the nerves inside my spinal column are being compressed. It's different to sciatica, which in many cases resolves over time. I've come to learn that my condition will not resolve as it is due to degenerative change, and will likely get worse with time."
The doctor emphasized that surgery represented her final option after exhaustive exploration of alternatives: "Surgery really is a last resort for me having tried just about everything else over the past two and a half years."
Educational Approach to Medical Transparency
Dr Zoe has actively encouraged her social media followers to follow her surgical journey through regular updates, where she has committed to detailing both her "preparation and recovery" processes. She explained her motivation for such transparency: "It hasn’t been an easy journey or an easy decision, but I know that so many people out their face the same dilemmas and that’s why I’m hoping that my sharing will give some insight, and improve your ability to make informed decisions regarding your own back problems."
She added an important medical disclaimer: "I must caveat out that every person is different. Every spinal problem is different and every type of surgery is different so please do not extrapolate my scenario directly to yours and take everything with a pinch of salt." Dr Williams also acknowledged her privileged position: "I’m so lucky and privileged to be able to do this privately and make all the choices that come with that! Let’s keep chatting along the way."
Previous Health Challenges
This recent surgery follows another significant health scare Dr Williams experienced in 2024, when she was rushed to hospital with an abnormal heart rhythm that prompted her to write an emergency will from her hospital bed. Reflecting on that period, she shared: "I got signed off by my cardiologist today… I'm OK. But I wasn't certain that I would be for a while! It's been a year of health blips. The most worrying being my heart. But I'm OK."
She added with poignant reflection: "Writing an emergency will from your hospital bed, just in case, is not the one though. But I'm OK. It's interesting how we can be thankful for these experiences. They can make us see clearly. What matters. What doesn't. And just how easy it is to take our health for granted."
This Morning continues to air weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX from 10am, featuring regular health segments with medical experts including Dr Zoe Williams when she returns to broadcasting duties following her recovery period.
