Grey’s Anatomy actress Leven Rambin is recovering after what was supposed to be a routine endometriosis surgery turned into a life-threatening medical emergency. The actress, who played Sloan Riley, the estranged daughter of Eric Dane’s Dr. Mark Sloan (McSteamy), revealed on TikTok that doctors accidentally nicked her aorta during a laparoscopic procedure, leaving her in critical condition and requiring immediate emergency surgery.
“I went in for routine endo laparoscopy,” Rambin shared. “I had a Netflix job I needed to be at in two weeks and my doctor said I would be fine.”
Instead, she woke up surrounded by surgeons informing her they had just saved her life.
“I woke up after surgery to many doctors and surgeons telling me they saved my life after the doctor accidentally nicked my aorta,” she wrote. The actress underwent emergency repair surgery and required a blood transfusion before being stabilized.
Rambin also revealed that doctors diagnosed her with Stage 1 endometriosis and uterine polyps during the procedure. Due to the lengthy recovery, she has been forced to leave the upcoming Netflix project she had been preparing for.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, the actress remains grateful.
“I’m here. I’m alive. But, sheesh… rough,” she said in one of several videos documenting her recovery.
Addressing speculation online, Rambin explained that her surgeon was an experienced specialist and described the complication as “a one-in-a-million freak accident.”
“The first thing I said to her through my anesthesia was, ‘Is this your fault?’ She said, ‘Yes, it’s my fault.’ I asked, ‘Aren’t you a specialist?’ She replied, ‘I’m human.’”
The actress admitted she’s still processing how close she came to losing her life but said she doesn’t regret having the operation, as it finally provided answers about the chronic pain she had been experiencing and could improve her fertility.
Rambin later confirmed she had been discharged from the ICU and moved into a regular hospital room, where she continues to recover with the support of her husband and mother.
Known for her work on Grey’s Anatomy, All My Children, The Hunger Games and True Detective, Rambin has received an outpouring of support from fans following her candid updates, with many praising her honesty about both endometriosis and the unexpected risks that can accompany even routine surgical procedures.