Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Breast Implant Removal and Health Complications
Valerie Bertinelli, the 65-year-old former Food Network star, is reflecting on her decision to undergo breast augmentation in her late twenties and the subsequent removal of the implants decades later. In a revealing interview with People magazine, timed with the upcoming release of her memoir Getting Naked, Bertinelli shared intimate details about her physical and emotional journey.
The Initial Procedure and Subsequent Regret
Bertinelli underwent breast augmentation in the late 1980s, a procedure she initially enjoyed but later came to regret. "I liked it for a little while and then started to hate it," she confessed to the publication. Over the years, fluctuations in her weight led to significant changes in her body, with Bertinelli noting, "At a certain point, I had gained and lost so much weight that my boobs were just... I felt like they were down to my belly button. I was like, 'I just want my small boobs back.'" This sentiment ultimately drove her decision to have the implants removed in 2024.
Serious Health Complications and Additional Surgeries
The removal process, however, was far from straightforward. Bertinelli developed a severe infection following the surgery, necessitating further medical intervention. She recalled the alarming moment when her doctor examined her, stating, "The look on my doctor's face when he finally saw me made me think, oh s**t, I guess I should have come in earlier." The infection caused her breast tissue to deteriorate dramatically, with Bertinelli describing it as "a crater" that began to cave in on itself.
To address these issues, her doctor removed not only the implant but also the surrounding tissues. Bertinelli now faces at least one more surgery to even out her breasts, an ongoing ordeal she discusses with a mix of humor and resilience. "I have to have one more surgery to even them out," she noted, adding lightheartedly, "Me and these guys are the only ones looking at my boobs anyways, but I don’t care because I can’t see without my glasses on... I’ll have to date somebody who can’t see."
Personal Life and Public Reflections
Bertinelli's personal life has also seen changes, including a brief romance with writer Mike Goodnough in early 2024 that ended by November. In December 2024, she posted a mirror selfie on Instagram wearing a black bra and underwear, captioning it, "At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year." She expressed a sense of acceptance, writing, "But right now every lump bump wrinkle and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan ready to color my roots late on a Monday night."
Upcoming Memoir and Healing Journey
Her memoir, Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect, is set for release on March 10. Bertinelli announced the book in early October, describing it as "a collection of intimate and vulnerable essays, exploring aging, love, friendship, secrets, and acceptance." She emphasized the therapeutic nature of writing it, saying, "I didn’t even realize how much I needed to write this book until I started. It helped heal something in me that I’m not sure I would’ve been able to do without writing it."
In anticipation of the release, Bertinelli shared her hopes for readers, stating, "My hope and deep wish is that it will inspire you to resist the negative thoughts in your own head, put yourself first, and let go of any judgement you may feel about yourself or what others may try their damnedest to make you feel." She acknowledged the vulnerability involved, noting in November, "It may feel like a scary experience letting it all hang out, physically and emotionally, for everyone to see (and judge) But for me, that’s the point."
Through her candid revelations, Bertinelli aims to foster a dialogue about body image, health challenges, and self-acceptance, using humor and honesty to navigate her experiences.
