Valerie Bertinelli opens up about deformed breasts after surgeries

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• From Self-Consciousness to Surgical Complications
• The Infection Crisis That Required Multiple Surgeries
• The Candid Memoir Details and Public Revelation
• Finding Humor and Acceptance in Her New Reality
• What Can Valerie Bertinelli’s Story Teach About Body Image and Medical Decisions?
  • Sources

Valerie Bertinelli, 65, just opened up about her deformed breasts after multiple surgeries. The actress shared candid details during a March 10 conversation with Drew Barrymore at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. Her new memoir “Getting Naked” describes the physical and emotional toll of four breast surgeries in 2024.

From Self-Consciousness to Surgical Complications

Valerie Bertinelli first obtained breast implants in the late 1980s because she felt insecure about her naturally small breasts. She wrote in her memoir that she initially liked the results but eventually grew to hate them. After years of significant weight fluctuations, her breasts sagged so severely that she described them as reaching down to her belly button. In 2024, she made the decision to have them removed and replaced with smaller implants.

However, this decision led to an unexpected medical crisis. The actress suffered a fall before undergoing the removal procedure, which complicated the surgery. Six weeks after the initial removal and replacement with smaller implants, Bertinelli began experiencing alarming symptoms including discoloration, swelling, and a high fever that reached 104 degrees.

The Infection Crisis That Required Multiple Surgeries

Bertinelli delayed seeking medical care, a decision she now deeply regrets. When she finally visited her doctor, the physician’s reaction told her everything she needed to know. “The look on my doctor’s face when he finally saw me made me think ‘Oh s—. I guess I should have come in earlier’,” she told People magazine. The doctor removed everything, including the implant and surrounding tissue, but complications continued. Within days, her breast became infected and began caving in on itself, creating what she described as a “crater.”

She has since undergone additional reconstructive surgeries to attempt to even out the two breasts. The physical and emotional toll of these four procedures in such a short timeframe was significant. During her conversation with Drew Barrymore at the 92nd Street Y in March 2026, Bertinelli revealed that she showed Barrymore her chest, and the actress responded bluntly, “Oh yeah, that’s bad.” Rather than getting discouraged, Bertinelli appreciated the honesty and humor she found in the situation.

The Candid Memoir Details and Public Revelation

Bertinelli writes extensively and graphically about the breast complications in her new memoir “Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect,” which HarperCollins published on March 10, 2026. According to multiple sources, she discusses the surgeries, the infections, and her journey toward body acceptance with remarkable openness. The memoir also addresses her worst year overall, which included four surgeries, significant weight loss from stress, hair loss, and emotional heartbreak.

Detail	Information
Release Date	March 10, 2026
Publisher	HarperCollins
Title	Getting Naked: The Quiet Work of Becoming Perfectly Imperfect
Price	$29.99 (hardcover)

During her live conversation at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Bertinelli didn’t shy away from using humor to cope. When asked whether the deformity would impact her dating prospects, she quipped, “My boobs suck, but I’m not dating, so it doesn’t matter.” Drew Barrymore responded with “Yet,” suggesting there’s still hope for her romantic future. Bertinelli laughed and noted that she’s focused on her cats and other priorities rather than dating.

“I mean, if you read the book, you’ll know that my boobs are deformed, and I talk very extensively and graphically about how deformed they are. I had four surgeries in 2024. But Drew is like, ‘How bad can it be?’ I’m like, ‘Really?'”

— Valerie Bertinelli, actress and author

Finding Humor and Acceptance in Her New Reality

Bertinelli emphasizes that she doesn’t care about the physical appearance of her breasts anymore because she’s single and her three cats are the only ones seeing her body. She joked that she’d need to date someone who can’t see clearly to make it work. The 65-year-old actress is now channeling her experience into her digital platform Valerie’s Place, where she’s starting a book club with her memoir as the first selection. She’s also focused on home cooking and spending time with her son Wolfgang Van Halen, whom she supports while he tours with his band.

Her willingness to discuss such a personal and vulnerable topic publicly is part of her larger message about self-acceptance and aging. Rather than hiding her body struggles, Bertinelli is using her platform to normalize conversations about cosmetic surgery complications and body image. She emphasizes finding joy and humor in difficult circumstances, a theme that runs throughout her new memoir.

What Can Valerie Bertinelli’s Story Teach About Body Image and Medical Decisions?

The 65-year-old entertainer’s journey reveals important lessons about body acceptance and the potential risks of cosmetic surgery. She initially got implants due to insecurity about her naturally small breasts, a decision she made in her younger years when societal beauty standards pressured her differently. Decades later, she decided to reverse that choice, only to face unexpected medical complications that required multiple surgeries to address. Her story underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for post-surgery symptoms and the unpredictable nature of body image struggles across a lifetime.

Bertinelli’s memoir and public discussions are helping to break the stigma around cosmetic surgery complications. By speaking openly about her deformed breasts and the emotional toll of her surgeries, she’s encouraging others to embrace their bodies as they are and to prioritize health over appearance. At 65, she’s found that focusing on what brings her joy—her cats, her son’s career, cooking, and her digital platform—matters far more than physical perfection. Her message resonates with readers and viewers seeking authenticity and permission to age naturally.

Sources

• People.com – Detailed interview featuring Bertinelli’s discussion of her breast surgeries and memoir release
• Fox News – Coverage of her candid conversation with Drew Barrymore at 92nd Street Y
• HarperCollins/Amazon – Information about “Getting Naked” memoir publication and details