Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive singer thought she was ‘going to die’ from dangerous surgery

“There were times when I had to sleep in a chair because I just couldn’t sleep lying down,” said Gaynor, who was given painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine over the years.

Just under two decades after this surgery, the star had decided she couldn’t cope with the pain and opted to find a different doctor.

He told her she would need something much more “extensive” to sort out the problems for good – which is where the frightening procedure comes in.

Also speaking to People Magazine, Dr. Melamed said he had to perform “one of the most difficult” operations, which involved making the massive changes to her spine.

The procedure, he explained, is “complex” and demands a precise surgeon.