EastEnders Star Rita Simons Announces Major Surgery Amid Scoliosis Health Battle
Beloved soap actress Rita Simons, famous for her role as Roxy Mitchell in the long-running BBC series EastEnders, has publicly revealed she is preparing for significant surgery to address chronic pain caused by scoliosis. The star took to Instagram to share intimate details of her health struggle and upcoming breast reduction procedure.
Instagram Revelation and Surgical Decision
In a heartfelt social media post featuring multiple images and videos, Simons explained her decision to undergo surgery in three weeks. The first image showed the actress smiling brightly, while the second displayed an x-ray revealing the severe curvature of her spine. A third humorous clip captured her struggling to button a shirt, illustrating daily challenges.
'A little life update,' Simons began in her caption. 'As you know, I've not stopped moaning about giving up vaping. It still sucks. Apart from the fact it's a rancid habit that needed to go, there was another reason... surgery in 3 weeks.'
Connection Between Scoliosis and Surgical Choice
The actress detailed how her particular spinal condition makes traditional spinal surgery impossible. 'Because of my particular scoliosis and the state of the rest of my back, I'm not a candidate for spinal surgery,' she explained. 'My spine can't be "fixed", so my focus is on doing everything I can to reduce pain and slow the progression of the curves.'
Simons emphasized that her breast reduction represents a practical solution to alleviate discomfort. 'It's finally time to say goodbye to my massively annoying boobs. The pain they cause my back just isn't necessary anymore. This chapter seems to be about getting rid of everything that doesn't serve me... so let's do the boobs too.'
Broader Health Journey and Lifestyle Changes
The surgery announcement comes as part of a comprehensive health transformation Simons has been documenting. She has previously discussed:
- Quitting vaping and smoking
- Eliminating alcohol and sugar from her diet
- Undergoing a hysterectomy (womb removal)
- Regular physiotherapy and posture management
'They'll never be cured — so we work with what we've got,' Simons stated regarding her scoliosis. 'I can't lie... pain relief aside, I'm also looking forward to not having the rib hump at the back and the two mountains at the front. Let's lose those mountains.'
Creating Community and Raising Awareness
Simons has become an outspoken advocate for scoliosis awareness, particularly focusing on adult cases. 'I'm sharing this because adult scoliosis isn't talked about enough,' she wrote. 'This is just one of the many curveballs women with scoliosis can experience.'
Her openness has fostered an online community she affectionately calls 'scolisisters,' with whom she shares dressing tips and mutual support. 'Wow! Who knew there were so many of us #scolisisters out there!' she exclaimed in a previous post about clothing challenges.
Previous Revelations About Spinal Condition
Earlier this year, Simons first publicly discussed her scoliosis diagnosis through an Instagram video. 'Some of you know I have scoliosis. Some of you are about to Google it. So... here it is,' she began. 'My back does its own thing. Big time. Back pain aside (the pain is real, but I deal with it)... the real drama is getting dressed.'
The actress humorously noted that clothing often makes her look 'like a rolled-up carpet' due to her spinal curvature. She concluded with characteristic wit: 'If my back were straight I'd be unbearably perfect. This is character building.'
Simons promises to keep followers updated about her surgical journey and recovery process, continuing her mission to normalize conversations about adult scoliosis and chronic pain management.
