How to Learn From Your Mistakes: Let Go of Regret & Move Forward

Mel Robbins candidly shares her story of undergoing breast augmentation, her immediate regret following the procedure, and the lessons learned from a decision rooted in insecurity and haste.

Mel's motivation for getting breast implants stemmed from insecurity about her body's appearance after childbearing and breastfeeding.

At 47 years old and after three children whom she breastfed, Mel disliked the appearance of her breasts and felt significantly self-conscious. She vividly described her breasts as resembling "dirty gym socks hanging off my chest," with nipples pointing downwards and outwards, which greatly affected her self-image. This insecurity was particularly impactful during intimate moments with her husband, causing her to feel the need to cover up even when he walked into the bathroom. Mel noted that the physical change in her body was disrupting her ability to be present during sexual intimacy, view her breasts as "skin sacks," and contributed to her decision to get implants.

Mel's decision-making process was hasty and lacked thorough research, leading her to choose implants that were larger than she had intended.

Mel admits she rushed into the decision to get breast implants without doing proper research, calling herself a "complete idiot" about the situation. Despite hating her breasts' deflated appearance, she initially wanted small implants just to restore perkiness to what she described as "gym socks." However, Mel woke up from surgery with a sinking realization that she had made a grave mistake, feeling as though she now had basketballs on her chest instead of the desired baseball-sized implants.

Upon expressing her desire for a 36B cup size to the surgeon, she was dismayed that the final result was a much larger 38 double D. The surgeon had tried various combinations of implants, ultimately settling on a size Mel felt was far too large. Her husband mentioned the surgeon's effort to balance them due to significant size differences, but Mel still sees the result as a "train wreck" and not what she requested.

Reliance on a singular recommendation and a lack of diversity in consultation

Mel's process in selecting a surgeon was based solely on a friend's recommendation. Without interviewing other surgeons or talking extensively with people who had breast implants, Mel made a choice without adequate information about the potential outcomes. This lack ...

Mel’s story highlights the serious physical and mental health issues she faced as a result of her breast implants.

Physical Symptoms Linked to Breast Implants

Mel experienced a range of physical symptoms that were directly linked to her breast implants. She started feeling numbness in her right arm, tingling on her pinky fingers and elbow, and under her armpit. Her Raynaud’s syndrome worsened, which led to circulatory problems such as her hands turning bright white when exposed to cold.

Mel felt something was off, at first attributing it to potential premenopause or stress at work, but she eventually realized her body was reacting to the implants. An acquaintance of Mel’s described experiencing similar symptoms, including brain fog and numbness in her hands. Surgery revealed scar tissue had formed around Mel's implants, which contributed to physical discomfort and circulatory issues.

Mel noticed that her lung capacity was constrained and also experienced fog in her head. Within a week of having the implants removed, her symptoms, such as the tingling, disappeared and she felt significantly better physically.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

The decision to get breast implants and the subsequent health problems led to a heavy psychological and emotional burden for Mel. She was overwhelmed with shame and regret over her decision, feeling like a "fricking idiot" for getting the implants and worrying about the consequences of removing them, including potential scarring and altered appearance.

The discomfort from the implants made Me ...

Mel's life-changing decision to remove her breast implants started with an encounter that propelled her into action and led to the crucial selection of a surgeon adept at explant procedures.

Mel's Chance Encounter and Decision to Act

A conversation with a fellow speaker was the catalyst for Mel to begin her journey toward removing her breast implants. The speaker shared her plans to visit a leading surgeon specializing in breast implant illness and explant surgery. This discussion prompted Mel to delve into the subject deeper. After being provided a link to a Facebook group dedicated to breast implant illness, Mel engaged in extensive research. This led to the realization of the numerous negative health impacts linked to breast implants and introduced her to the possibility of surgery to have them removed.

The Urgency Amplified by a Health Scare

During her quest for information, Mel learned alarming news. The specific model of her implants had been recalled due to its association with a rare form of cancer. With the startling revelation that 84% of people with this specific type of rare cancer possessed the same implants she did, and faced with the fact that her implants were no longer on the market due to these health concerns, Mel understood the gravity of the situation. There was a class action lawsuit in relation to her implants further underscoring the urgency. Although she now undergoes regular breast screenings every six months, the prior uncertainty and the fear about the cancer connection remain a part of her life.

Finding the Right Surgeon Against All Odds

The journey to find a qualified surgeon was met with challenges, but Mel's unwavering advocate role for her health needs led her to Dr. Fang. Dr. Fang's empathetic understand ...