Russian bodybuilder Vitaliy Ugolnikov, more popularly known as “Good Vito,” revealed on Instagram how he finally underwent surgery to fix a decade-long breathing issue. After extensive struggles and reliance on decongestant nasal sprays, he decided to end his misery with a long-term solution.

As per Generation Iron, he talks about how his dependency on nasal sprays over the last decade did not fix the problem- chronic nasal obstruction. Moreover, prolonged use of these sprays can sometimes lead to rebound congestion and a vicious cycle of dependency. His extreme size caused further health issues, impacting his ability to breathe well.

“I used around 900 nasal sprays over the last 10 years, approximately 15 liters of oxymetazoline and other vasoconstrictor sprays. The dependence on these sprays followed me for 10 years,” he shared on an Instagram post.

The bodybuilder, having had enough of this, decided it was time to go under the knife to end his dependence on nasal sprays.

“The time has come to have surgery to get rid of this once and for all. I really hope this helps me breathe better and feel better. Thank you, doctors.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time in his career that he has had to deal with health issues.

How Good Vito balanced a successful career and long-standing health concerns

Good Vito’s impressive muscles and massive structure quickly earned him fame in the bodybuilding world during his early years. His bodybuilding journey began while he was attending the Saint Petersburg naval academy.

Soon after winning the Saint Petersburg Bodybuilding Championship in 2021, he fast-tracked his way to the top ten position in the 2025 Mr Olympia.

In 2024, he successfully underwent umbilical hernia surgery to address a common issue that many strength athletes face due to prolonged heavy lifting.

Furthermore, he faced yet another setback a few weeks before he was set to compete at the Europa Pro. This occurred when he seriously injured his knee while jumping off the stage during a guest posing in Brazil. It was later revealed that he might have torn a ligament in his knee.

Although he took some time to recover, he soon resumed competing in the Men’s Open class.

Finally, after recovering from multiple medical procedures, Good Vito is ready to face the bodybuilding world. What do you think about his decision to finally undergo surgery after a decade of breathing issues?

Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi