Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is recovering after undergoing a hysterectomy as part of her treatment for stage 1 cervical cancer.
The Jersey Shore: Family Vacation star documented the hours before her July 31 surgery and the physically and emotionally difficult period that followed.
Although Polizzi expressed relief that the procedure was complete, she admitted that the pain had made the beginning of her recovery challenging.
“I’ve really been trying to be tough, but it’s not great,” she said from her hospital bed.
Polizzi Documented Her Trip to the Hospital
Polizzi’s video began with her receiving hugs from her husband, Jionni LaValle, and their three children before her parents drove her to the hospital early in the morning. She initially tried to keep the mood light while changing into a hospital gown and cap, joking that she looked like “an alien serving this look.”
“I’m literally terrified at this point,” she said over footage of herself being wheeled toward surgery. Polizzi later explained that her heart began racing and she started shaking as the reality of the procedure set in. She said she cried “hysterically” before medical staff reassured her and gave her medication to ease her anxiety.
After the operation, Polizzi shared footage from her hospital bed and posted a shorter update announcing that the hysterectomy was complete. Her first meal included curly fries covered in ketchup. When a follower encouraged her to take recovery slowly, Polizzi replied that she hoped the process would become easier because she was “struggling.”
She Kept Her Ovaries During the Surgery
Polizzi said her surgeon removed her uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes, as well as portions of vaginal tissue to help ensure that all affected areas were addressed. “He obviously ended up taking out the uterus, my cervix and then some parts of my vagina just to make sure we get everything,” she said. “The fallopian tubes, all of it.”
Her ovaries were preserved, which Polizzi said was intended to prevent her from immediately entering menopause because of the surgery. The operation required what she described as a “C-section cut.” During the same procedure, her surgeon also repaired diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles that can occur following pregnancy.
Polizzi said her abdominal muscles had remained significantly separated after the births of her three children, adding another source of pain to an already extensive recovery.
Recovery Has Been Physically and Emotionally Difficult
“Sorry, it’s just been a lot,” Polizzi said. She explained that walking for the first time after surgery was extremely painful, although a second attempt was somewhat easier. She was also using a heating pad and medication to manage the discomfort.
“The first couple of days is hell, and then it’s gonna get better,” she said. “So I’m trying to stay in good spirits.” Polizzi thanked the doctors and nurses who cared for her and said she was sharing the experience because many women undergo similar procedures without feeling comfortable discussing them publicly.
“I’m being very vulnerable here, but I feel like in this journey I’ve been very vulnerable in general,” she said. “It’s a scary thing, and a lot of us women deal with it, and no one really talks about it.” Her longtime Jersey Shore costar Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola offered support in the comments, telling Polizzi that she was strong and reminding her that she was now on the road to recovery.
She Has Not Yet Announced Her Final Cancer Status
Polizzi expressed hope that the procedure had successfully removed the cancer but did not announce final pathology results or confirm that she had officially been declared cancer-free. “Hopefully I’ll be cancer-free, and that’s it,” she said.
She had previously said doctors expected that she would not require chemotherapy or radiation after the hysterectomy because the cancer was detected early and testing found no evidence that it had spread.
Polizzi also acknowledged several practical changes following the operation, including no longer having periods or needing birth control. Although she and LaValle consider their family complete, Polizzi previously said that knowing she could no longer become pregnant still “messes with you a little bit.”
Her Diagnosis Followed Years of Abnormal Screening Results
Polizzi revealed in February that a cone biopsy had confirmed stage 1 cervical adenocarcinoma. A subsequent PET scan found no evidence that the cancer had spread elsewhere in her body. The diagnosis followed approximately three or four years of abnormal Pap smear results.
Polizzi admitted that she had postponed recommended appointments because she was frightened of the discomfort and possible results. “Instead of putting it off because I didn’t want to go, because I was hurt and scared, I just went and did it,” she said when announcing her diagnosis. “And it was there. Cancer is in there.”
Polizzi has since used her experience to encourage other women not to delay cervical cancer screenings or follow-up appointments. “It’s scary, and it’s okay to be scared,” she said after surgery. “But now it’s over. It’s over. I just have to deal with the pain.” She ended her recovery video with one more request to her followers: “Get your Pap smears, okay?”