Michelle Elman, a life coach and frequent expert on ITV's This Morning, has bravely shared a significant health update following a major brain operation. The 32-year-old disclosed that a tube implanted in her brain had broken, a discovery made during surgery to address a newly found cyst.
A 'High-Risk' Surgical Decision
Elman, who lives with the chronic condition hydrocephalus, underwent the procedure after scans revealed the new cyst. Hydrocephalus causes a dangerous build-up of fluid in the brain. In a series of candid Instagram posts from her hospital bed, she explained that surgeons found the broken tube, which was not the primary focus of the operation.
"They discovered the tube in my brain was broken – and that wasn't even the part they were fixing," she wrote. The star also revealed she faced a choice between a higher-risk and a lower-risk surgical approach. She opted for the riskier option, stating, "I took the higher risk and it paid off."
Living with a 'Complex' Medical History
Reflecting on her diagnosis, Elman expressed amazement at her own resilience. "Now I'm just sat here wondering how I wrote a whole book with my brain filling with water for years?" she questioned, referencing her life as a published author and TV regular. She humorously added that the revelation "might explain some of my other questionable life choices."
Expressing slight frustration with medical terminology, she declared, "If one more person keeps telling me I'm a 'complex case', 'extremely unique' or 'unheard of', my brain might actually explode! I'm only accepting the terms 'medical miracle' from now on."
Planning for Recovery and Future
Elman had first announced the need for surgery in November 2024, explaining that a cyst had returned and a metallic magnet in her brain, which helps regulate fluid flow, needed replacing. At the time, she said the procedure was "not urgent but needed," and she planned to schedule it to cause minimal disruption to her life and work.
The recent surgery, which took place in January 2026, appears to have been successful. Her update provides a raw and powerful insight into living with a serious, long-term health condition while maintaining a public career. Michelle Elman continues to be a regular contributor to This Morning, which airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
