Former The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh has shared an uplifting health update with her followers, praising the "incredible" results of her recent surgery for endometriosis and reassuring fans she is feeling "completely fine".
A Swift and Positive Recovery Journey
The 34-year-old mother-of-two underwent a laparoscopy procedure last month after suffering for years with symptoms from what she described as the "awful" condition. Providing an update via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Lucy detailed her remarkably swift recovery just two weeks post-operation.
"So, endo recovery wise, honestly it's been five days and I know everyone is different, but this is my experience," Lucy explained. She described the initial five days as a period of taking it easy, feeling "a bit fragile and tender" but not in significant pain.
Remarkably, by day twelve, Lucy reported she was back to working out, walking, and resuming more normal activities around the house. "For a week really I was more normal and now I just feel completely fine," she told her audience.
'Invisible' Scars and Restored Strength
Demonstrating her progress, Lucy showed off her toned abdomen where the surgical scars were already barely visible. She expressed amazement at the seamless work of her surgical team.
"The scars are near enough already invisible, my core strength feels like it's come back," she said. "I took it easy when I did a workout the other day but actually I felt fine, I felt no pain."
Pointing to the tiny mark near her hip, she added: "And this is what's insane, that is what is left, that is just incredible in literally two weeks that's been." The largest incision, near her belly button, had only a small remaining scab but, she noted, "there's zero scar."
While physically recovering well, Lucy cautiously noted that "it's too soon to tell if it's improved my symptoms" of endometriosis itself.
Overcoming Anxiety and Delayed Treatment
Lucy revealed she had previously put off the surgery, which aims to remove as much problematic endometrial tissue as possible, partly because she felt her symptoms were not "as bad as other people's". She also admitted to significant anxiety about the procedure and recovery process.
"One of the anxieties I had about the surgery was not knowing how that day looked and going into it completely blind, I found that really intimidating," she confessed to her followers.
Her symptoms, which included fatigue, bloating, constipation, and back pain, didn't match the severe period pain and fertility issues often highlighted. However, the constant bloating led to unwelcome speculation on social media.
"I get a lot on social media, people messaging me saying 'why are you hiding your pregnancy? Tell us already, I've seen the bump,'" Lucy explained. "I'm like 'babes it's not a bump, it's just endo bloat, endo belly'."
Ultimately, she reached a turning point: "I've had enough. It felt like time to do something for me." Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle with good diet and exercise, which provided some relief, Lucy concluded she "can't physically live like that every single moment of every day."
Lucy received her endometriosis diagnosis in early 2024, noting her symptoms had "really affected her" since the birth of her three-year-old daughter, Lilah. She shares two children with her fiancé, Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, 41.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb, on areas like the ovaries, bladder, or cervix. This tissue thickens and bleeds each menstrual cycle but has no way to leave the body, leading to often debilitating pain, heavy periods, fatigue, and increased risks of infertility and bowel or bladder problems.
Lucy Mecklenburgh's candid update provides a hopeful insight into surgical treatment and recovery, raising awareness for a condition that affects an estimated 1.5 million women in the UK.
