When Serena Williams posted a video from a hospital bed in October 2024, the internet basically stopped. We're used to seeing her dominate center court or walk the red carpet looking untouchable. Seeing her with a bandage on her neck and a surgical drain sticking out was a massive reality check. It turns out, even the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) isn't immune to "weird" health scares that pop up out of nowhere.
The conversation around Serena Williams before and after surgery isn't just about one procedure, though. It’s actually a window into a decades-long battle with her own biology. People often forget that behind the 23 Grand Slam titles is a woman who has spent much of her life navigating life-threatening medical hurdles.
The "Grapefruit" in the Room: The 2024 Neck Surgery
Honestly, the details of her most recent surgery are kinda wild. Back in May 2024, Serena noticed a lump on her neck. She didn't ignore it—she's too smart for that after everything she’s been through—and went straight for an MRI.
The diagnosis? A branchial cleft cyst.
Now, if you’ve never heard of that, you aren't alone. Serena hadn't either. It’s a congenital condition, meaning she was born with it, but these things sometimes don’t show up until adulthood. Initially, the doctors told her she didn't have to get it removed. So, she waited. But the thing just wouldn't stop growing. By the time she went under the knife, it was the size of a small grapefruit.
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Doctors were worried about it leaking or getting infected. Surgery wasn't really a "choice" anymore; it was a necessity. In her social media updates, she was super transparent about the "before" and "after" of the experience. Before the surgery, there was the anxiety of the unknown and three different tests plus a biopsy to make sure it wasn't cancerous. After the surgery, there was the raw, exhausted reality of recovery—missing the Glamour Women of the Year awards and Rafael Nadal’s retirement because she simply couldn't be there.
A History of Fighting for Her Life
To understand why this neck surgery felt like such a big deal, you have to look at her track record. This wasn't her first time in a hospital gown. Not by a long shot.
- The 2011 Pulmonary Embolism: This was the first major scare. She had blood clots in her lungs that almost killed her.
- The 2017 Birth Complications: This is the one most people remember because it was so terrifying. After an emergency C-section with her daughter Olympia, Serena started feeling short of breath. She knew it was another embolism. She actually had to fight her own medical team to get the CT scan she knew she needed.
- The Ruptured Incision: Because of the coughing fits from the lung clots, her C-section stitches literally popped open. She ended up back in surgery for a hematoma in her abdomen.
When you look at Serena Williams before and after surgery through this lens, you realize she’s a survivor as much as she is an athlete. She’s had to advocate for her own life in rooms where people weren't listening to her.
The 2025 Evolution: Weight and Biology
By early 2025, the "after surgery" phase of her life took another turn. Serena has always been open about the pressure she feels regarding her body. After having her second child, Adira, in 2023, she hit a wall. She was hitting 30,000 steps a day. She was training like a pro. But her weight wouldn't budge.
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In August 2025, she dropped some news that sparked a whole new conversation. She started using Zepbound, a GLP-1 medication, through a partnership with the healthcare company Ro.
She lost 31 pounds, but more importantly, she talked about it as healthcare, not a shortcut. For Serena, the "before" was a struggle against a body that wouldn't respond to traditional training anymore. The "after" was a realization that sometimes biology needs a different kind of help. It’s a pretty bold move for an athlete whose brand is built on "willpower" to admit that willpower wasn't enough this time.
What We Can Learn from Her Journey
Serena’s health timeline is a bit of a mess, but in a very human way. It’s not a straight line of "get sick, get surgery, get better." It’s a constant cycle of monitoring and adjusting.
If you’re looking at her story and wondering what it means for your own health, there are some pretty clear takeaways. First, don't ignore lumps. Even if a doctor says it's "optional" to remove something, keep a close eye on it. If it grows—like Serena’s grapefruit-sized cyst—it’s time to go back.
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Second, trust your gut. Serena’s 2017 experience is the gold standard for self-advocacy. If she hadn't insisted on that CT scan, she might not be here.
Lastly, realize that "recovery" looks different for everyone. Sometimes it's a bandage on your neck at an American Girl doll store with your kid; sometimes it's admitting you need medication to help your body function the way you want it to.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Your Own Health Scares:
- Keep a Symptom Journal: Serena noticed her neck lump in May but didn't have surgery until October. Tracking changes over months helps you provide better data to your doctors.
- The Second Opinion Rule: If a "benign" issue is affecting your quality of life or growing rapidly, don't feel bad about asking for more tests or a second surgical opinion.
- Normalize the Help: Whether it's surgery for a congenital cyst or using modern medicine for weight management, ditch the shame. Even the world's most elite athlete uses these tools.
- Post-Op Patience: Surgery takes a toll. Even if "all is OK," give yourself permission to miss big events. Your body doesn't care about your calendar.
Serena is currently focused on her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, and being a mom to her two girls. She seems healthy, but if her history has taught us anything, it’s that she’ll keep being honest about the ups and downs. That transparency might be her biggest win yet.