Dermatologist Sandra Lee Reports Suffering Stroke During Filming
Dermatologist Sandra Lee, known for the Lifetime television series "Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out," reported experiencing an ischemic stroke in November during the filming of the show's second season. Production was paused for two months following the incident. The new season is scheduled to begin airing on April 20. Lee discussed the event and her recovery in an interview with People magazine.
The Medical Event and Diagnosis
According to Lee, the initial symptoms occurred while filming. She reported sweating and feeling unlike herself, which she initially thought might be a hot flash. She later described feeling restless and experiencing shooting pains in one leg.
"I questioned whether I was having a stroke."
Additional symptoms included weakness in one hand, causing it to collapse when held out, and difficulty with speech articulation and enunciation. A subsequent MRI confirmed she had suffered an ischemic stroke. Lee described the event by stating, "What essentially happened is I had a part of my brain that died."
Recovery and Aftermath
Following the stroke, Lee underwent physical and occupational therapy over subsequent months and reported improvement. She also stated she experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the incident.
In her interview, Lee cited several factors related to her health at the time. She stated, "My blood pressure and my cholesterol were not under control, and I have a lot of stress in my life, dealing with my patients and the show."
Public Statements and Impact on Production
Lee encouraged others to monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress levels. She also characterized her perspective on the event, saying:
"I want to think about [the stroke] as a blessing in disguise. Because it reminds you to take better care of yourself."
The stroke led to a two-month pause in production for the second season of "Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out." The season is scheduled to premiere on Lifetime on April 20.