Snooki reveals why she needs an open hysterectomy after cervical cancer diagnosis
After sharing her cancer diagnosis publicly, Nicole says support from women on TikTok helped her feel less alone
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has opened up about her upcoming hysterectomy, admitting she is nervous about the pain and recovery process following her cervical cancer diagnosis.
The Jersey Shore star, 38, revealed in February that she had been diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer and is now preparing for surgery to remove her uterus.
Ahead of the procedure, Snooki turned to TikTok to ask fans for advice on how to make her recovery as comfortable as possible.
She shared some of the items she purchased, including an abdominal band, constipation medication and a weighted heat pad.
“You guys know I don't like pain, and I want to be cozy and comfy,” she said. “I needed recommendations on how to recover the best way after my hysterectomy.”
Snooki admitted she was anxious about discomfort after surgery and asked other women who had undergone similar procedures for their advice.
“If I'm missing anything, mamas, anybody who has gotten a hysterectomy with the big cut, please help,” she said. “I don't want to feel pain. If you know me, I'm a baby.”
The reality star later explained why she will undergo an open abdominal hysterectomy instead of a minimally invasive procedure. According to Snooki, her surgeon recommended the larger incision to ensure all cancerous tissue is removed.
“If he does it laparoscopically, there's a nine percent chance that he doesn't get all the cancer,” she explained. “So he's got to do the C-section cut to get everything out.”
Snooki has also credited social media with helping her process her diagnosis. She said watching other women share their cancer journeys on TikTok made her feel less alone and gave her hope during a difficult time.
“When I got the diagnosis, I was like, ‘Oh my God. I’m dying. I can’t believe this is happening,’” she previously said.
The experience inspired her to share her own treatment journey online, hoping to support others facing similar situations.
Snooki also opened up about telling her three children — Lorenzo, 13, Giovanna, 11, and Angelo, 6 — about her diagnosis. She said her kids were worried at first but ultimately understood that she needed surgery to stay healthy.
“My kids are funny and my kids are amazing,” she said. “They realised that mommy has to be healthy and needs to get through these surgeries and everything is gonna be OK.”