American Pickers’ Frank Fritz reveals major back surgery that left him with 185 stitches & two RODS in his spine
AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz revealed details of his major back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
, 57, hasn’t appeared on since March 2020, as he has been recovering from grueling back surgery.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the collector revealed his ongoing health struggles.
Frank said: “I had a couple of rods put in there. It was from lifting stuff all the time. If you watch the show, you can see who the guy is that’s lifting all the time, it’s always me. It had been hurting for a long, long time. I’m talking months and months and months.
“Finally I had it looked at and they said it was about ready to split in half, the bones going up in the middle of my spine.
“They put a couple of big rods up the middle of my spine. I had to get 185 stitches and two rods in my back. I had the back injury but I can lift, I’m okay.”
Frank said his back is "perfect” today.
The reality star then discussed his battle with Crohn’s Disease, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
He explained: "I’ve had Crohn’s for 36 years. America has been talking about Crohn’s since 1933, but we have not been able to figure out what brings on the inflammation of the digestive system.
“There’s no cure, it’s like a dragon. Every day is a crap shoot. One day I could have a double chimichanga with hot sauce pouring out of it and have no problem. Another day I could have a piece of toast with some scrambled eggs and have a flare-up.
“I haven’t had any flare-ups recently. I’ve been really good and quit drinking.”
Frank has been living a more healthy lifestyle since his time off the show, as he .
In photos obtained by The Sun, Frank compared to his heavier figure on the show.
Frank told The Sun: “The weight loss is me watching what I’m eating so I can keep my disease under control the best I can. I’m just eating healthy.
“After a while I started watching what I’m doing and I’m doing a little bit more walking. I keep pretty busy around here too, taking care of the grass and getting rid of the weeds.”
Frank continued that he is sober today, adding: “Not drinking helps with weight loss because when you drink you eat. I’m not dieting.
“I was drinking a little bit too, but that didn’t work out either. I haven’t had a drink in almost nine, ten months.
“It would have been a year but I had one slip up, it was maybe for four hours, but it was enough.”
Frank, , admitted that during his time off the show, he “hasn’t been out picking much lately.”
He continued: “I’ve been working on a couple motorcycles and stuff, but that’s about it. I was in Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota in August last year.
"I’ve been going to Sturgis for 40 years now. I was there for the 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th anniversaries and every year in between that. I just got inducted two years ago to the Sturgis Hall of Fame.”
Frank wants, as he told The Sun: “I would like to come back to the show. I was doing it for 11 years. I’m 100 percent recovered now and I’m ready to roll and go back on the show.”
But Frank revealed the network , as he continued: “They talk out of both sides of their mouth. It would be like me telling you I want to go back on the show and then tomorrow going, ‘I never said that, I never said anything about that.’
“The show runner called me on my birthday on October 11 of last year and he said ‘I’ll call you back tomorrow,’ but I haven’t heard from those people at all. They don’t contact me.”
The collector added: “I don’t know if they can do it cheaper without having me on there or what the situation is.
"I want to go back on the show, but it depends on the network. It ain’t gonna affect me one bit, but I would like to be back for my fans.”
reported American Pickers has “no plans” to bring back Frank, who has starred on the hit show since 2010.
Producers feel the show is doing fine without Frank, as they had to continue filming while he dealt with health problems, according to the outlet.
Costar Mike Wolfe last week.
He captioned a photo of the cast on Instagram: "I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.
“The support that you all have given us has been a constant reminder of what the show’s message has always been; thru these places, people, and things we all have a common thread. We’re here to not only take care of the past, but also each other.”
Mike concluded: “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”
As The Sun exclusively reported, Frank has also been .
Frank said: “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”
While Frank refused to reveal the exact cause of the falling out, he claimed there was tension over their .
He explained: "The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.
"That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.
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Frank then said it would be “hard” to “put the show on after not talking to somebody for two years.”
He even admitted: “I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me. I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me.”
