Dr. Pimple Popper and husband just became empty nesters when terrifying stroke happened

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Dr. Sandra Lee, known as Dr. Pimple Popper, experienced a frightening stroke while working on a new TV show, shortly after her and her husband became empty nesters.

Dr. Ramirez, a 55-year-old dermatologist, specializes in treating challenging and rare skin conditions at her practice, Skin Physicians & Surgeons, located in Upland, California.

Dr. Lee shared that while filming an episode of Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out in November, she began to feel unwell and was eventually diagnosed with an ischemic stroke.

Oh my gosh, Dr. Sandra Lee is married to Dr. Jeffrey Rebish – he’s a dermatologist too, isn’t that amazing? They have two grown-up sons, and it’s just so heartbreaking because they’d just sent the youngest one off to college when she got sick. It feels like everything was going so well for them, and then… this. I’m just really worried about her and her family right now.

Oh my gosh, it was in November when it happened… she had a stroke! She actually said a part of her brain just… stopped working. It was terrifying! And the worst part? Her kids couldn’t even be there with her, they’re both at school all the way on the East Coast. But you know what? Even after all that, she’s still so positive! It’s amazing, she just keeps looking on the bright side.

Dr. Lee recently shared with People magazine that the timing of the event might have been beneficial, as it occurred during a period of personal growth and self-focus.

Looking back, maybe having the stroke when it did was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to prioritize my own health and finally address some personal things I’d been putting off.

The reality star shared how difficult the medical emergency and her recovery have been, revealing the emotional strain she’s experienced.

Dr. Lee shared that, for the first time, he’d really started to think about his own mortality and whether he’d be around for his children and future grandchildren.

They noticed I was moving and speaking a bit slower, but I don’t focus on it or try to worry them. I usually just tell them I’m fine.

The dermatologist, a well-known figure, says the stroke left her feeling physically weaker and aging faster. To help with her recovery, she’s started playing pickleball and golf, and has also begun learning to play classical guitar.

My husband, Dr. Rebish, and I had actually made a conscious decision to simplify our lives and move to a smaller place in Los Angeles a few months before the devastating wildfires of early 2025. Unfortunately, our new home was right in the path of the flames, which was a really challenging experience.

Dr. Lee shared with People that moving into a new home together has strengthened her relationship with her husband, bringing them closer and increasing their reliance on each other.

I’ve noticed a pattern with couples I see in my practice: some always come to appointments together, while others prefer to come individually. It makes me curious about what kind of couple we are, and how we’ll approach things together.

It’s fascinating to see how things shift when you start to wonder if you’ll actually click with someone and enjoy spending time together. It’s a really fun and exciting feeling, but I’m still trying to understand it all.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following this story closely. The trailer for the second season of her reality show revealed a really frightening moment – you can see someone in her office calling 911, and then an ambulance arriving, all while she was experiencing her stroke. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, and it was a very vulnerable moment captured on camera.

Staff members were told how serious things were, and Dr. Lee became visibly emotional while explaining it in an interview.

Dr. Lee shared with People magazine that he immediately noticed a change in his speech after his stroke. He described feeling embarrassed and stressed about speaking, as it highlighted the difference from how he used to sound. This was particularly difficult for him as a surgeon, since he was accustomed to projecting confidence and strength.

It started while I was filming. I suddenly felt really sweaty and unwell, like I couldn’t get comfortable. I was restless and began experiencing sharp, shooting pains in one leg. I also realized it was becoming difficult to walk, especially down stairs.

The next day, things just got weird. Like, seriously weird. I mean, she started feeling these things, these symptoms, and she knew something was really wrong, so she finally had to go to the doctor. I was so worried for her!

Dr. Lee described a frightening experience where his hand would slowly fall limp when he extended it. He also found it difficult to speak clearly, leading him to worry he was having a stroke.

Her father, a dermatologist himself, urged her to get to the emergency room right away. Tests showed she’d had a stroke caused by a blocked artery.

An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot stops blood flow to the brain, and it can be life-threatening, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Lee described the diagnosis as shocking. Even as a doctor, he couldn’t ignore his slurred speech and weakness, but initially reacted with disbelief, hoping it was all just a bad dream.

‘What essentially happened is I had a part of my brain that died.’ 

Dr. Lee explained what led to the stroke.

She explained that her blood pressure and cholesterol were high, and she was feeling very stressed due to the demands of her work with patients and the show.

Honestly, even though it’s been tough, I’m trying to see this as a good thing. It’s a real wake-up call, forcing me to prioritize my own health and well-being. It’s a reminder that I need to take better care of myself, and I’m grateful for that, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.

The TLC star talked honestly about the medical emergency’s long-term effect on her life.

She explained that she was worried because her left hand wasn’t fully under her control and her grip felt weak. She added that it’s frightening when she doesn’t feel like she’s performing at her peak.

Dr. Lee became well-known through her online videos, and this led to her starring in the TLC reality show, Dr. Pimple Popper, from 2018 to 2023.

She started posting videos on YouTube in 2010, but became more consistent in 2015 after seeing that videos of her skincare – specifically, extracting blemishes – were gaining a lot of attention on Instagram.

Her new series Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out is on Lifetime as the first season aired last year. 

Dr. Lee is married to fellow dermatologist Jeff Rebish as they share two sons together. 

Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out season 2 premieres on Monday, April 20 at 9pm on Lifetime.

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2026-04-15 19:50