Dr. Pimple Popper Sandra Lee Calls Frightening Stroke a ‘Blessing in Disguise’ 

Usually, Dr. Sandra Lee is the one counseling patients who are dealing with tough medical situations. But last fall, the Southern California dermatologist found the roles reversed when she experienced a stroke that forced her to take a two-month break from filming her Lifetime reality series. 

‘Dr. Pimple Popper’ star had stroke while filming her reality show

“It happened while I was filming the show,”  Lee recently told People. “I had what I thought was a hot flash. I got super sweaty and didn’t feel like myself.”

Lee continued filming, then headed to her parents’ home, which is not far from her office. Her troubling symptoms continued, including a “restless” feeling and “shooting pains” in one leg. She was also having trouble walking down stairs. The next morning, she began to accept that something was seriously amiss. 

“I noticed that I had a tough time articulating and just enunciating,” she said. “I thought, ‘Am I having a stroke?’”

Lee’s father, who is also a doctor, urged her to go to the emergency room, where her fears were confirmed. 

Dr. Sandra Lee a part of her brain ‘died’ 

“It was just a shock,” she said. “As a physician I couldn’t deny that I had slurred speech, that I was having weakness on one side, but I was like, ‘Well, this is a dream, right?’” 

“Essentiallly … a part of my brain that died,” she explained.

After he stroke, Lee took a break from filming Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out. She underwent physical therapy, with a special focus on regaining control of her hands – an essential skill in her profession. 

In hindsight, Lee realizes she should have prioritized her own health. 

“My blood pressure and my cholesterol were not under control, and I have a lot of stress in my life, dealing with my patients and the show,” she said. “I want to think about it as a blessing in disguise. Because it reminds you to take better care of yourself.” 

Her advice for her fans? If they experience any symptoms that could be a stroke, get checked out. Warning signs include vision changes, a loss of balance, face drooping, difficulty talking, and arm weakness, according to the American Stroke Association. 

“In Asian cultures in particular they don’t tell people they’ve had a stroke because it can be seen as a sign of weakness,” she said. “I want to get the word out that if you have symptoms like I had, make sure you see your doctor. Take care of yourself.”

Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out Season 2 premieres April 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.  

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