It was the kind of case most OB-GYNs considered too dangerous: A 17-week pregnancy, a 27-pound fibroid and a patient told repeatedly that saving her life likely meant sacrificing both her uterus and her unborn child.
But when Brionna Johnson reached Chicago surgeon Dr. Pierre Johnson, he saw another option. At Loretto Hospital, he removed the massive fibroid while preserving both pregnancy and fertility — a rare feat that has drawn national attention.
Known online as the “Fibroid Slayer,” Johnson has built a growing following by tackling complex cases, educating women about fibroid care and speaking candidly about racial disparities in reproductive medicine. A South Side Chicago native, he says his mission was shaped early by witnessing inequities in his own community.
Word In Black spoke with Johnson about his origins, groundbreaking surgical techniques and what Black women need to know when seeking gynecological care. His comments have been edited for length and clarity.
WIB: When did you know you wanted to become a doctor?
Dr. Pierre Johnson: “I was about five or six years old. I’m just a very purpose-driven person. When I was a senior in high school, my term paper for my career goal was literally titled ‘My Life as an OB-GYN.’
“As a [South Side] kid, I saw just disparities, racism, just poor health care, and experienced it. Through my mother, through my family, and just watched it. As a kid, I knew that one of my goals was to provide care for women all over the world–but starting with Chicago.”
WIB: How did you become involved in Brionna Johnson’s case?
Johnson: “She actually — through marriage — is related to a distant cousin of mine. When my relative reached out to me and told me about it, it just didn’t sound right. Women with cases like hers typically have an issue getting pregnant. So, when I heard it, I said ‘I don’t care how big it is, I can do it.’”
WIB: What gave you that confidence?
Johnson: “I’d already done 20-pound fibroids preserving the uterus. I’ve perfected a skill, a technique that no one taught me, that I taught myself.”
WIB: How do you explain fibroids to patients?
Johnson: “Look at a uterus as a house. You’ve got the inside [rooms], the drywall, and the roof. Fibroids could be inside … they’re a huge problem. They could be in the drywall … somewhat of a problem … Or they could be on the roof.
“If a tree branch falls off a tree and hits your roof, you probably won’t know it happened. For this particular patient, these enormous fibroids were on the roof … The baby is inside, not knowing everything that’s on the roof. So, getting the fibroid off of the roof should not impact what’s happening on the inside.”
WIB: How unusual was this surgery, even for you?
Johnson: “Before her, it was 20 pounds. A woman from the East Coast. Think about 20 pounds — that’s just walking around with an extra 20-pound weight on your body. … But for this patient, 27 pounds with this large mass, think about a carry-on suitcase … and put that in your body.”
WIB: How did social media expand your work?
Johnson: “When I finished residency in 2013 … my mindset was: I’m not turning down any case. The hardest cases — I’m taking everything, no matter what it is. I will figure it out.”
WIB: What changed as your audience grew?
Johnson: “I started teaching people: if you have a problem, adjust your insurance so it can give you the opportunity to move around and choose your care. Don’t let your geographical limitations hinder you. … As I started preaching this on social media, the cases got way more complex.”
WIB: What should women ask before trusting a surgeon with fibroid care?
Johnson: “What is your experience with dealing with these types of cases? What is your philosophy about removing all fibroids? … What is your percentage rate of success converting myomectomies to hysterectomies?”
WIB: Why is that last question so important?
Johnson: “Meaning, if the doctor goes into surgery planning to take out fibroids and restore the uterus, how many times has he or she ended up aborting that plan and having to take the whole uterus out? That’s an excellent question that people don’t ask.”
WIB: How should patients research a provider?
Johnson: “ChatGPT and Google are really not research if you’re looking at a provider. This person literally has your life in their hands for as long as you’re on that table under anesthesia.”
WIB: What does meaningful research look like?
Johnson: “Do research on them as a person, not just as a physician. Don’t just look at their Google reviews. Don’t just look at a website.”
WIB: What is your final advice to women navigating fibroid care?
Johnson: “Understand you have options. Get a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth opinion. Somebody is going to talk to you and you’ll feel it — ‘Ah, this is my person.’ Don’t limit yourself.”
This story originally appeared here.