SOURCE: bet.com
Supermodel Anok Yai just got really transparent about her health struggles. On Friday, Dec. 19, the 28-year-old Model of the Year shared a candid post on Instagram, revealing a serious medical diagnosis she says had been quietly affecting her for over a year.
“For the past year, I’ve been dealing with this silent battle,” Yai began, explaining that she discovered a congenital defect that was overworking her heart and slowly damaging her lungs. What started as something asymptomatic for most of her life gradually turned into chest pains, persistent coughing, coughing up blood, and occasional struggles to breathe.
Yai admitted she tried to push through it all while searching for the right doctor and the right time to get treatment, but she quickly realized there would never be a perfect moment. Her health had to come first.
The model recently underwent robotic lung surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions and robotic technology to operate on the lungs. Photos and videos accompanying her post show her resting in a hospital bed at New York University Langone Health in New York City, reading books and using an oxygen machine as she recovers. She also took a moment to thank her surgeons and medical staff for guiding her through this intense experience.
“I’ve always thought I could outwork or outrun anything,” Yai wrote. “But the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up.” Yai’s story proves nobody’s untouchable, and sometimes the smartest move is just putting yourself and your health first.
By sharing her story, Yai is not only raising awareness about serious health issues but also showing that strength and vulnerability can exist together. Fans and followers have been sending love and support, and it’s clear that her courage is inspiring people to check in with themselves and prioritize their own well-being.