Posted by Samuel on Sat 15th Nov, 2025 - tori.ng
The veteran actor said she was rushed to the emergency department several times before doctors confirmed she needed immediate surgery, which made her terrified.
Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has shared the ordeal that led to her recent life-threatening surgery, urging the public to take their health more seriously.
The thespian, in an interview with Punch, said the surgery may not seem life-threatening to some people, but it was the most serious medical challenge she had ever faced.
Omotola explained that her body finally broke down after months of extreme work stress.
The veteran actor said she was rushed to the emergency department several times before doctors confirmed she needed immediate surgery, which made her terrified.
Omotola said she discovered a scar on her stomach, and doctors later told her the operation could not be done through keyhole surgery because her gallbladder was too enlarged.
The actress said she decided to share her story publicly to encourage others to prioritise their health.
She said, “For some people, it might not seem like a life-threatening surgery, but for me, it was. I had never faced anything of that severity before and had been rushed to the emergency department multiple times.
"I had been working non-stop, editing my movies Mother’s Love and RR across two continents, barely sleeping two hours a day. My body was overworked. Eventually, I was rushed to the hospital after several visits and told I needed immediate surgery. It was shocking and terrifying. My husband wasn’t around, and my kids were scared.
After the surgery, I discovered a scar on my stomach. The surgeon explained that my gallbladder was too enlarged to be removed through keyhole surgery. It was a lot to process. I tell people now, if you ever feel sharp pains in your chest or back, get a CT scan or MRI immediately. Don’t wait like I did.”