'Jennie Garth, 52, of 'Beverly Hills, 90210' fame, shares her secret hip replacements and confesses to feeling bad about herself.'
Garth confessed to Dave Abrams, who is nine years younger, that she didn't want to appear old.
Jennie Garth is revealing the truth about having surgery, but it's not what you might assume.
The actress revealed to Self Magazine that she has kept a secret for a long time, but she is no longer hiding things after undergoing two surgeries in the last four years.
The actress who starred in "Beverly Hills, 90210" at the age of 52 has undergone two hip replacements.
"This is something that doesn’t just affect 80-year-olds.
"Garth has experienced hip pain for a long time, which always made a clicking sound when he lifted his legs. Despite his history of horseback riding and dancing, he believed the wear and tear were the cause. However, as the years passed, the pain worsened, making it difficult for him to go on walks with his dogs. He thought it might be arthritis."
Garth's nightmare would soon be confirmed by a doctor: osteoarthritis in her knees, thumbs, and hips.
WATCH: JENNIE GARTH DISCUSSES HER OSTEOARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS
"At the time of my diagnosis, I was only in my mid-40s. Although I felt old and bewildered, I decided to remain active and persevere. However, by the time I turned 48, I began to struggle to keep up with my family during our usual activities."
Garth recollected the intense pain she felt during a family ski trip, which forced her to remain in the lodge.
"My quality of life was diminishing as I felt like I couldn't do the things I loved with my family. I didn't want to be someone who couldn't keep up with her husband, who is nine years younger and very fit. I didn't want to be married to a younger man and start to break down. The trip was eye-opening, and I knew I needed to take care of whatever was happening."
Garth soon found a doctor and recalled him asking, "What are you doing here? You're so young! We don't have many people coming in here your age."
During her visit, Garth discovered that her hip joint wasn't properly seated in its socket and that a hip replacement could enhance her condition.
"Despite his suggestion that I didn't have to get the procedure done immediately, I didn't need time to consider it. I had a lot of life ahead of me and didn't want to slow down, so I asked my doctor for the earliest available appointment. I wanted to take care of it right away."
Unfortunately, Garth's elective surgery was not a priority during the pandemic in 2020. Despite this, she eventually saw her doctor and was discharged with a walker on the same day.
Garth admitted that she didn't give her body enough time to heal after the operation and rushed to replace her walker with a vacuum cleaner three days post-op.
Garth informed the outlet that she resumed her active lifestyle within two months.
"After undergoing surgery, I felt like a superhuman, capable of doing anything without limitations. I would often forget about my hip replacement, with only a small scar on my body to remind me. I resumed my favorite activities, such as golfing, hiking, and skiing, without any hindrance. It was as if a miracle had happened, but I had to constantly remind myself, especially when I was skiing, "Slow down, sister. You have a fake hip.""
"In the few years following that surgery, I felt like Bionic Woman. There was nothing I couldn’t do. I forgot all the time that I had a hip replacement." — Jennie Garth
This year, the "I Choose Me" podcast host's opposite hip began making a "clicking" noise, and things finally caught up with her.
"The second hip surgery in March 2024 left me feeling more sore and laid up than the first time. The experience was discouraging, and I have to be careful not to overdo it as I'm still recovering," she said.
"I aimed to demonstrate that fitness and health were achievable even after turning 50. I had reached a fantastic state of wellness and felt incredibly powerful during my workouts. Additionally, I discovered that physical activity had a positive impact on my mood and helped maintain flexibility in my joints. The prolonged absence of exercise following my second surgery took a significant toll on my mental health."
Despite being in the gym a month later, she was still limping and in pain, Garth stated.
"I was filled with self-doubt and worry about my recovery, questioning if my increased pain was due to the four-year gap between my first and second hip replacement. I had to prioritize self-care, pay attention to my body, and approach my recovery at a slower pace."
Garth revealed to Self Magazine that she felt a sense of responsibility to inspire others while also setting an example for her three daughters, who are the same age she was when she starred on "90210."
The actress, who portrayed Kelly Taylor in the widely-watched '90s drama, stated that her personal growth was severely hindered while on the show. She spent her formative teenage years on set, working tirelessly and lacking a clear sense of self.
"I believed my value was determined by my appearance and others' approval, and I constantly sought to please everyone and maintain a good appearance. As a young girl, I placed a great deal of pressure on myself, but I now realize I could have been more forgiving towards myself."
Garth stated that losing some of her castmates, including Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty, motivated her to remain active.
"I felt so bad about myself and my recovery, wondering if the extra pain was because I was four years older than I was when I got my first hip replaced. I had to honor my body, listen to it and take things slower." — Jennie Garth
In the past six months, Garth has experienced significant development.
By engaging in these two activities, I have gained a greater appreciation for my body and physical capabilities. As a nurturing individual who enjoys caring for others, it has helped me shift my focus and prioritize self-care, allowing others to assist me when needed.
She wanted to make her surgeries appear effortless, especially to her husband, without appearing old or struggling. However, she couldn't conceal it from him because she was already concealing it from the entire world.
I am grateful for his generous spirit, which helped me realize that my physical state does not define my spirit. Despite any physical challenges, I still have a youthful spirit.
"If you are approaching or past 50 and in a similar health position, I would advise you that life changes in the most beautiful ways at this age, even though there may be scary and disappointing changes such as aging, do not be afraid of it."
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