Logan Reid
In 2019, Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery to repair a blocked intestine. The TV personality and game show host revealed that the pain was so intense that he thought he was dying. Sajak's surgery was successful, and he reassured fans that he was recovering at home. The host took a brief hiatus from his long-running game show, with his co-host Vanna White stepping in to fill his shoes. But is Pat Sajak back in the hospital again?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalization | Emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine |
| Date of hospitalization | November 2019 |
| Surgery outcome | Successful |
| Current health status | Recovered |
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What You'll Learn
Pat Sajak's emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine
Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine in November 2019. The 73-year-old game show host had been experiencing "excruciating" pain while on a morning walk with his daughter and hours later, he was in the fetal position, doubled over in pain, and preparing to enter surgery.
Sajak told "Good Morning America" that the surgery was “completely successful." Doctors found no underlying cause of the intestinal blockage, so he didn't have to make any lifestyle changes. While he was recovering, his longtime co-host Vanna White filled in for him. Sajak joked that he was a bit worried she might nab his spot as the main host, but he seems settled in his spot at "Wheel of Fortune."
Sajak shared that the pain was so strong he thought he would die. He said that none of the drugs were working until his doctors gave him something that took the pain away. He recalled hearing his wife and daughter talking in the background and feeling sad that they would "have to deal with the aftermath."
In an interview a month after the surgery, Sajak said that he had been back in the studio and felt "ridiculously good." He joked that he had been spinning the wheel and nothing had popped, so he thought he was okay.
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Sajak says the surgery felt like death
Pat Sajak, the beloved host of Wheel of Fortune, recently opened up about a health crisis that led to emergency surgery. In an interview with Good Morning America, the 73-year-old shared that he had experienced excruciating stomach pain, which turned out to be caused by a blocked intestine. The surgery was successful, and Sajak assured fans that he was recovering well and feeling "ridiculously good."
However, Sajak also revealed that the experience of the surgery itself was terrifying. He described feeling "horrific" pain before the procedure, which none of the drugs seemed to alleviate. Finally, the doctors administered another medication, and Sajak's perception shifted dramatically. He felt as though he was surrounded by "beautiful pastels and lovely faces," and he could hear his wife and daughter's voices as if from a great distance. It was at this point that Sajak recalls thinking, "I think this must be death. This must be what death is like."
Despite his fears, Sajak made a full recovery and returned to work soon after. He joked about his co-host Vanna White's stint as a stand-in host during his absence, expressing mock concern that she might try to steal his job. Sajak's health scare served as a reminder of his mortality, but he faced it with his characteristic wit and positivity.
Sajak's experience underscores the importance of prompt medical attention and effective pain management. His description of feeling detached from his body and perceiving surreal imagery during the surgery is intriguing and highlights the unique ways individuals can respond to pain and medication. While Sajak's surgery was undoubtedly a challenging experience, his successful recovery and return to his beloved game show are a testament to his resilience and the effectiveness of modern medicine.
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Vanna White filled in as host during his recovery
Pat Sajak is an American game show host, television personality, and creative consultant. He is best known for hosting the television game show Wheel of Fortune from 1981 to 2024. Sajak underwent emergency surgery in 2019 to address a blocked intestine, which caused him immense pain. He described his experience, stating:
> "I was in the fetal position, lying on the bed. They try to give you various drugs for the pain. And none of it – none – was working."
During his recovery, Sajak's longtime co-host Vanna White stepped up to fill his shoes as host. White, who joined the show as a co-host in 1982, expressed her nervousness about taking on the new role. She shared that hosting the show had never crossed her mind, but she was glad to take one for the team due to her familiarity with the show.
Sajak had high praise for White's flexibility, calling her a "trooper" and acknowledging that she could have declined the hosting role. He joked that he was a little worried she might nab his spot as the main host, revealing that she enjoyed the experience.
Sajak's surgery was successful, and he returned to the studio after his recovery. He reflected on his experience, stating that he felt "ridiculously good" and was relieved that nothing had "popped."
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Sajak returned to the studio and was spinning the wheel again
Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery in November 2019 to repair a blocked intestine. The surgery was successful, but the game show host revealed that the pain beforehand had been so strong that he thought he would die.
Sajak's recovery was swift, and he soon returned to the studio to resume his hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune. Speaking to Good Morning America, he said: "I've been back in the studio actually, doing shows. Even spinning the wheel and, you know, nothing has popped. So I think it's OK."
During his recovery, Sajak's co-host Vanna White stepped in to fill his shoes. White told Us Magazine that she was "nervous" and "excited" about the opportunity to host the show. Despite her nerves, Sajak joked that he was a "little nervous" she might nab his spot as the main host, adding that he was glad to be back.
Sajak's health scare was a frightening experience for the TV personality, who has hosted Wheel of Fortune since 1981. During the worst of the pain, he recalled thinking: "This must be what death is like."
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Sajak is back at work and has no plans to leave
Pat Sajak is back at work and has no plans to leave. The Wheel of Fortune host underwent emergency surgery in November 2019 to repair a blocked intestine, which caused him "excruciating" pain. He described the experience as feeling like "death", as he heard his wife and daughter talking from what sounded like [...] a mile off.
Sajak's surgery was successful, and he was soon on the road to recovery. By December 2019, he was back in the studio, and feeling "ridiculously good". He told Good Morning America:
> "I've been back in the studio actually, doing shows. Even spinning the wheel and, you know, nothing has popped. So I think it's OK."
During his recovery, Sajak's co-host Vanna White stepped in as host. Despite his jokes that she might ""nab his spot as main host", Sajak is settled in his position at Wheel of Fortune. He has no plans to leave, assuring viewers:
> "I still have my wits about me. They didn't remove that, so I'll be selling vowels for a long time."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pat Sajak underwent emergency surgery in November 2019.
Pat Sajak went to the hospital due to a blocked intestine that caused him severe stomach pain.
Yes, Pat Sajak returned to work after his surgery. He was back in the studio and feeling ridiculously good by December 2019.
Vanna White filled in as host during Pat Sajak's absence.
