Cuban actress Rosa Vasconcelos has opened up about a harrowing six-month ordeal where she teetered on the brink of death following a gastric reduction surgery in Cuba. She shared her story on Sandy Castrillo's YouTube channel as part of the "Historias de mi gente" program.
"Few people know that I underwent a stomach reduction procedure in Cuba. I was probably the fifth case and ended up in a critical condition, between life and death for six months," confessed Vasconcelos, who is renowned for her leading role in Juan Carlos Cremata's film "El premio flaco."
The actress recounted that while the surgery itself went smoothly, a complication arose after she returned home: "Everything was fine when I left the hospital, but I started vomiting, and one of the staples in my stomach came loose. A few days later, I developed peritonitis," she explained.
This complication required her to be rushed back to the hospital, where her condition became dire: "I was between life and death for six months, and no one thought I would make it."
Vasconcelos detailed the severity of her condition: "I had peritonitis, my organs were failing, I developed a widespread sepsis, had fluid in my lung, suffered an external hemorrhage, and my hemoglobin dropped to six. The doctors didn't expect me to survive, but they managed to save my life," she recounted candidly.
As part of her treatment, the medical team had to insert a prosthesis. Vasconcelos expressed deep gratitude towards all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff who played a role in her recovery: "Everyone knew me, even the janitors."
After overcoming the crisis, Vasconcelos lost 100 pounds, going from 280 to 180. However, she later regained some of the weight. "This surgery means that if you don't take care of yourself, you can gain weight again," she admitted. This realization led her to join a gym in Miami, where she has been training for three months and has shed an additional 20 pounds.
Residing in Miami, Vasconcelos is currently collaborating with Cuban actor and comedian Yubrán Luna to create comedy content for social media platforms.
Reflecting on the Cuba she left behind, Vasconcelos was frank: "I have fond memories of Cuba, which is not like the Cuba of today. It breaks my heart to see my country in its current devastated state."
Rosa Vasconcelos' Surgery and Recovery: Key Insights
What surgery did Rosa Vasconcelos undergo in Cuba?
Rosa Vasconcelos underwent a gastric reduction surgery in Cuba.
What complications did Vasconcelos face after her surgery?
She experienced vomiting which caused a staple in her stomach to come loose, leading to peritonitis and a series of life-threatening complications.
How did Rosa Vasconcelos manage her weight after the surgery?
After initially losing 100 pounds, she gained some weight back but has been actively training in a Miami gym, losing an additional 20 pounds.