Model Anok Yai has shared details of her struggle with a serious medical condition, revealing that she has been diagnosed with a congenital defect affecting her heart and lungs. On December 19, 2023, the 28-year-old model, recently honored as the 2025 Model of the Year by the Fashion Awards, opened up about her health challenges on social media.
In a heartfelt message, Anok Yai explained that for the past year, she had been facing a “silent battle.” She discovered that her congenital defect was “overworking” her heart and gradually damaging her lungs. “What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times struggling to breathe,” she stated, sharing her journey through several videos and photos taken during her hospital stay.
Yai emphasized her determination to manage her health while searching for the right medical support. However, she soon realized that there would never be a perfect moment to address her condition, as her health continued to decline. “I’ve always thought I could outwork or outrun anything, but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up,” she reflected.
Successful Surgery Offers Hope for Recovery
On the same day, Anok Yai announced that she had undergone a successful robotic lung surgery, thanking Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his team for their expertise and care. According to the American Lung Association, robotic thoracic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at removing diseased lung tissue and surrounding lymph nodes.
In her post, Yai expressed gratitude towards Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and the team at Beverly Hills Concierge Health for diagnosing her condition. She also acknowledged the support of the medical staff at NYU Langone, stating, “Thank you to all the doctors and amazing nurses for being the first thing I saw when I woke up.”
Anok’s message concluded on a hopeful note as she shared her intent to focus on healing. “For now I’m healing … but I’ll be back. See ya ❤️” she wrote, expressing optimism for her recovery.
As she navigates this challenging chapter, fans and followers are sending their best wishes for a swift recovery, hoping to see her back on her feet soon.
