Valerie Bertinelli Reflects on Healing from Breast Implant Infection
Valerie Bertinelli recently shared that she feels fortunate to have recovered from a severe infection related to her breast implants. In her new memoir, Getting Naked, the 65-year-old actress opens up about her feelings of dissatisfaction with her natural breast size, which led her to get implants in the 1980s. What started as a desire for a subtle enhancement turned out to be a much more significant transformation than she had anticipated.
After getting the implants, Bertinelli was so self-conscious that she avoided showing them off publicly. “I was embarrassed,” she admitted. “In fact, I tried to hide them.”
Health Complications Lead to Major Decisions
By the time she filmed the final episode of “Hot in Cleveland” in 2015, Bertinelli had begun experiencing severe pain and discomfort due to the implants, which prompted her to consider surgery. However, she put off speaking to her doctor, until a mishap occurred that changed everything.
While playfully stealing her son’s phone, she tripped on the stairs and landed hard, hearing a pop in her chest. “I knew exactly what happened,” she recalled. This incident led her to seek surgical intervention six weeks later, where she opted to replace her old implant with a smaller one. Initially, the results felt promising, but complications soon arose.
Unexpected Infection and Recovery
Within a week after her surgery, things took a turn for the worse. She noticed swelling and discoloration, coupled with a fever that spiked to 104 degrees. “I felt really sick,” she said. After a visit to the doctor, she realized that she was in serious trouble; the situation was urgent enough to send her for IV antibiotics and more surgery to address the infection.
Although missing her son’s performance at a Jon Bon Jovi tribute was disappointing, her family urged her to prioritize her health and recovery. “The looks they gave me said it all: ‘What part of nearly dying from an infection don’t you understand?’” she noted, reflecting on the gravity of what had happened.
A Journey of Reflection
After a lengthy recovery process that involved daily doctor visits for wound care, Bertinelli later had a third surgery for a replacement implant. Now, she describes her situation as somewhat uneven: “One side is on top of the muscle, and the other side is sad and misshapen.”
There was even a thought of undergoing a fourth surgery to fix the discrepancies, but after so many procedures, she has decided to wait for now. With a sense of humor about her experiences, she quipped, “One day I’ll be on Medicare and have perky new breasts for my high school prom.”
Ultimately, her introspective moments in her backyard led her to a metaphor about beauty—one that’s not about perfection but about individuality. “Just like the flowers and trees, we’re all beautiful in our own way,” she mused, highlighting a refreshing perspective on life and body image.
The memoir, Getting Naked, was released on March 10th.
