Emily Simpson, a prominent figure on The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), has consistently shared her personal experiences regarding her health and body image. From discussing her relationship with food in 2020 to responding to criticism about her weight in 2021, Emily has never shied away from being open about her journey.
Addressing Weight Gain and Initial Steps
Emily revealed that after filming wrapped for season 17 of RHOC, she learned she was pre-diabetic. She admitted to feeling "really depressed" after gaining weight, which she attributed to overeating, drinking, and a lack of sleep and exercise during filming. This led her to seek medical advice, where a doctor suggested she try Ozempic, a semaglutide drug used for weight management.
In December, Emily began using Ozempic as a "kickstart" to address her unhealthy habits. She explained that the drug helped her become more mindful of her consumption, leading to a weight loss of five to seven pounds within a month. She gave up on Ozempic because it made her feel lethargic.
Surgical Interventions
In January, Emily underwent liposuction on her arms and a breast reduction. She had previously undergone explant surgery in 2020. She emphasized the significant impact of these procedures on her overall appearance, noting that the thinner arms and smaller chest contributed to a more balanced look. “Just the surgery alone was just… I felt like it was just a huge difference in my overall look just to have the thinner arms and just the smaller chest,” she explained. She was particularly pleased with the liposuction results, highlighting the definition of her arm muscles.
The Importance of Diet and Exercise
Beyond medical interventions, Emily emphasized the importance of diet and exercise in achieving her health goals. She completely changed her diet and focused on consuming more protein. She also shared a video montage of her workouts, including squats, deadlifts, and leg kickbacks, to counter accusations of taking the "lazy" route to weight loss. Her RHOC castmate Tamra Judge, a fitness enthusiast, showed her support by commenting, “So proud of you.”
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Addressing Criticism and Promoting Body Positivity
Emily has faced criticism regarding her weight loss methods, with some accusing her of relying on quick fixes like Ozempic. In response, she has been candid about her choices while also emphasizing the hard work and dedication she has put into her health journey.
She also addressed the importance of self-acceptance and body positivity, stating, “I don’t want to be detrimental to myself. I don’t want to say negative things about myself. I have a daughter. There’s women out there. You know?” She added, “I just think it’s important that I embrace who I was at that time and now I’ve gotten healthier. I feel better about myself, but I still think I was hot.”
Acknowledging Past Struggles with Chronic Pain
Prior to her recent weight loss efforts, Emily dealt with chronic arthritis pain, which significantly impacted her quality of life. Two years ago, she began experiencing pain and stiffness in her left hip, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.
She initially believed the pain was a pulled muscle, but it gradually worsened to the point where she struggled to lie down or tie her shoes without assistance. The pain also affected her ability to exercise and play with her children, leading to depression and a 20-pound weight gain.
Hip Replacement Surgery and Recovery
After X-rays revealed that her left hip had no cartilage, Emily was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), a condition that can lead to chronic pain and osteoarthritis. Her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Chris Mellano, recommended hip replacement surgery as the best option to alleviate her pain and restore her active lifestyle.
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In October, Emily underwent hip replacement surgery. Although she was nervous, she was also excited about the prospect of living pain-free. Her recovery was supported by her family, and she was able to attend the RHOC season 14 reunion just three weeks after surgery (in a wheelchair).
The Impact of Hip Replacement on Overall Health
Emily's hip replacement surgery not only eliminated her hip pain but also improved her chronic knee pain. Dr. Mellano explained that the surgery corrected her musculoskeletal mechanics, leading to a significant improvement in her overall mobility and comfort.
The Link Between Weight Loss and Hip Health
Before undergoing hip replacement surgery, Emily made a conscious effort to lose weight to relieve pressure on her left hip and combat arthritis. She participated in a 12-week fitness/weight loss program that helped her adapt exercises and clean up her diet.
Addressing ARFID Diagnosis in Son
During the RHOC Season 19 premiere, Emily revealed that her ten-year-old son Luke was diagnosed with ARFID, or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Since then, she and husband Shane Simpson have been on a journey to figure out what’s best for their son. And hurtful comments have no place in the plan. “I have to say, I’ve had some people say negative things about the eating disorder, and they’ll make a correlation between me having surgery or me losing weight,” Emily exclusively told Us Weekly. She further clarified that Luke’s diagnosis “has nothing to do with me and losing weight or gaining weight.”
Emily admitted that she is still looking for answers. “We definitely know that he has ARFID. The ARFID has a lot of symptoms that overlap with autism,” she explained.
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Maintaining a Positive Outlook
Despite the challenges she has faced, Emily remains committed to maintaining a positive outlook and promoting self-acceptance. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal growth and not comparing oneself to others. As she stated, “My only competition is Me.”