Rita Simons, the beloved EastEnders star who portrayed Roxy Mitchell, has opened up about her upcoming breast reduction surgery, revealing it’s part of her journey to manage the debilitating pain caused by scoliosis. The 49-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram, offering her fans a candid look into her health struggles and how this decision will help improve her quality of life.
🦴 Fighting Scoliosis with Strength
Rita has been battling scoliosis, a condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine, leading to severe pain and mobility issues. As her condition progressed, she realized that a breast reduction would be an essential step to alleviate some of the pressure on her back. She wrote on Instagram: “It’s finally time to say goodbye to my massively annoying boobs. The pain they cause my back just isn’t necessary anymore.”
Rita revealed that her scoliosis had prevented her from being a candidate for spinal surgery, so she has focused on pain management and reducing the impact of the condition in other ways. She added: “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.”
💔 Saying Goodbye to What Doesn’t Serve Her
Rita’s health journey has also involved significant lifestyle changes. She shared that she’s eliminated several habits, such as vaping and alcohol, to prioritize her well-being. “It’s a chapter about getting rid of everything that doesn’t serve me… the womb, the alcohol, the sugar, the fags/vape… so let’s do the boobs too.”
In a powerful moment of honesty, she explained that the surgery would not only provide relief from the pain but would also address the “rib hump” caused by her condition and the discomfort of having “two mountains” on the front of her body. “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.”
💪 Raising Awareness for Scoliosis
Rita emphasized that adult scoliosis is often not talked about enough, especially the struggles it presents for women. “This is just one of the many curveballs women with scoliosis can experience,” she shared. By being open about her health battles, Rita hopes to raise awareness and help others who may be going through similar challenges.
🌸 Support from Fans
Rita’s fans flooded the comments section with messages of support, relating to her experiences with spinal issues. One fan wrote: “Good luck!! Your curvy spine will be so happy after.” Others wished her a speedy recovery, with many expressing gratitude for her openness in sharing her story. “Best of luck Rita, good on you for sharing your story and raising awareness. Wishing you a speedy recovery!”
