Sonny Bill Williams undergoes life-saving open-heart surgery

Former rugby and rugby league champion Sonny Bill Williams has undergone life-saving open-heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. The condition, which was discovered during a routine check-up following neck surgery earlier this year, involved a heart that had enlarged to 7.5cm and was at risk of rupturing.

Williams underwent a Ross procedure at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, performed by surgeon Dr. Michael O’Keefe. The procedure involved replacing the patient’s diseased aortic valve with his own healthy pulmonary valve. Dr. O’Keefe noted that this specific operation can return a patient to a normal life expectancy curve, unlike mechanical or tissue valve replacements.

In a video detailing his recovery, Williams described the experience as terrifying and mentioned suffering from hallucinations following the operation. He expressed a desire to use his experience to raise awareness about the condition, noting that many people may carry such defects without knowing it.