Tulisa Opens Up About Bell's Palsy Attack and Personal Health Battles
Singer Tulisa has delivered a remarkably candid health update to her followers, revealing she recently suffered a Bell's palsy attack accompanied by minor short-term paralysis. The 37-year-old musician shared these personal details alongside other significant health challenges she has been facing in recent months.
A Series of Health Challenges and Personal Struggles
In her Instagram post on Friday, Tulisa explained she had cancelled a scheduled egg retrieval procedure due to ongoing health issues and what she described as a 'crazy life experience.' The singer detailed multiple simultaneous challenges she has been navigating, including nicotine withdrawal after quitting smoking two months ago, which she characterized as 'hellish.'
Tulisa also revealed she recently underwent successful surgery to remove three cysts from her face. She credited Dr. Darrylc Coombes with identifying these cysts years ago as the underlying cause of her facial swelling and Bell's palsy episodes. 'Now cyst/swell free,' she wrote, expressing gratitude to her medical team while noting that other doctors had previously dismissed her concerns, suggesting she had simply received too much facial filler.
Devastating News Triggers Bell's Palsy Episode
The singer shared particularly distressing news about learning that her close friend Shelly had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer requiring immediate chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Tulisa explained that this devastating revelation came on the same day as her cyst removal surgery.
'The news after post surgery effects/drugs led me to be sick & pressure from throwing up caused a Bell's palsy attack,' Tulisa wrote. She managed to obtain steroids within 24 hours despite initially leaving them in Manchester, noting that the resulting minor paralysis would likely last approximately one week.
Historical Health Context and Medical Journey
Tulisa was first diagnosed with Bell's palsy in 2020, a neurological disorder causing paralysis or weakness on one side of the face when the facial nerve becomes damaged or dysfunctional. She described entering a 'vicious cycle' where she used facial fillers to even out her appearance, only to experience increased inflammation and swelling.
Speaking recently on Olivia Attwood's podcast 'So Wrong It's Right,' Tulisa explained that her facial problems were particularly severe around the time N-Dubz reformed in 2022 after an 11-year hiatus. A breakthrough came when a doctor performed an ultrasound on her face, discovering 'three chronically infected cysts' in her cheek.
'I've no idea what they were caused by, they weren't filler, they were just self-occurring,' Tulisa shared. 'But I came out of the operation and instantly my face was less swollen.'
Broader Health Implications and Current Approach
The singer believes these painful cysts may have contributed to other medical conditions she has battled for years, including sarcoidosis and immune disorders. 'This explains all the symptoms that I was getting and could have been causing Bell's palsy,' she noted, suggesting that multiple cysts growing over years could have triggered the neurological episodes.
After years of experimentation, Tulisa has made significant changes to her approach to cosmetic procedures. 'Right now, I only have filler in my lips,' she stated. 'There's no filler anywhere else in my face.'
Finding Perspective and Sharing Authenticity
Despite the challenges, Tulisa emphasized positive developments in her update. She highlighted being cigarette-free, having 'double the amount of eggs' preserved, and experiencing business success. The singer also noted improvements in her emotional regulation and nervous system responses through inner work over the past six months.
'Less sob story, more reminder we're all human, going through challenges, even when it looks shiny from the outside,' Tulisa reflected. She encouraged followers to maintain perspective during difficult times, writing: 'Life isn't constant happiness, it's a series of ups & downs that define being ALIVE.'
The singer concluded her update from bed where she was recovering, expressing gratitude for her improved health baseline and resilience despite recent difficulties.
