Shes talked at length to the press about having a leaky heart valve and being diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
Shes also been adamant aboutdestigmatizing menopauseon her podcast, aptly calledI Choose Me.
Garth felt embarrassment and shame at being seen as old.
Garrett Lobaugh/Amanda Bailey
Heres her story, as told to SELFs associate health conditions director, Julia Sullivan.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
I remember him telling me so carefully and gingerly, I can see some arthritis coming.
Garrett Lobaugh
That was very upsetting, as I felt like my quality of life was diminishing.
I didnt want to be someone who couldnt do the things she loved with her family.
Plus, my husband is nine years younger than me and very fit.
Garrett Lobaugh
I didnt want to be married to a younger man and start to break down.
The whole trip was eye-openingI knew I needed to care for whatever was happening.
I found the best doctor I could to help me figure out what to do next.
He asked, What are you doing here?
We dont have many people coming in here your age.
I wanted to take care of it right then.
Eventually, the doctor called me to offer an appointment within the next few days.
I immediately said yes.
In fact, I actually walked out of the facility myself using a walker.
I tried to keep off my feet during recovery, but thats next to impossible for someone like me.
Within three days of the surgery, I ditched the walker and replaced it with a vacuum.
I was back to being active within two months.
In the few years following that surgery, I felt like Bionic Womanthere was nothing I couldnt do.
I was back to golfing,hiking, and skiingall the things I loved.
You got a fake hip.
But in 2024, when I was 52, that right hip also started to click.
I felt excruciating pain with every stepId be unable to get down on the ground or get back up.
The second surgerywhich I had done this past Marchwent well, but it took a lot longer to heal.
I came out sorer and was more laid up than the first time.
(Turns out, therecovery periodfor my initial hip replacement was an anomaly.
There was no vacuuming on the third day.
The whole experience was, and still is, so discouraging.
I havent had this second hip that long, and I really have to baby it.
I had gotten to this really great place and felt so strong in my workouts.
I had to honor my body, listen to it, and take things slower.
That really kept my fires burning throughout all of thisto keep going and pushing for the better.
Everythings going to be okay.
Dont hit it so hard all the time.
These two operations have helped me learn to appreciate my body and physical abilities so much more.
I wanted to make my surgeries look easy, particularly to my husband.
Hes always thinking of how he can make me happy and make the day go better.
Ive been so grateful for the generosity of his spirit throughout all of this.
Its a part of who you are moving forward.
This is something that doesnt just affect 80-year-olds.
Truthfully, I was nervous to open up about my hip replacements.
People put off taking care of themselves at all costs until they just cant put it off anymore.
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