In a 2022 interview with The Independent, she reiterated her belief that well-informed patients should have the freedom to undergo any cosmetic procedures they desire. This sentiment was echoed in her 2021 Instagram post promoting her documentary EXplant, which chronicles her own journey with breast augmentation surgery.
Recently, in a conversation with PinkNews, Michelle reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that individuals understand “what they’re putting in their body and why they’re doing what they’re doing.”
Michelle Visage is no stranger to discussing her experiences with cosmetic surgery. Notably, she underwent surgery to remove her breast implants in 2019 due to health complications.
Beyond the health risks, the 56-year-old reflects on her surgery as a pivotal moment for self-discovery and understanding her desires regarding her body. “When I first got my breast implants, I was 21 years old, and I 100 percent got them for all the wrong reasons,” she shares. “I told myself for years it was all about me. I’m not doing it for anybody else, I’m doing it for me.”
However, she acknowledges that her motivations were influenced by societal pressures and the desire for approval. “It’s true that it was my body, but I was doing it for approval, you know, in a sexual light. I wanted to be appealing to boys, to girls, to whoever. I just wanted people to look at me and think that I was sexy, and I never felt sexy without [large] breasts.”
Years of societal invalidation and mockery led Visage to undergo breast augmentation surgery, which she describes as more about “physical” than “emotional” reasons. “I had one boyfriend who would play the bongos on my chest and thought it was funny, and you have to laugh along with it, but you’re invalidated,” she reflects. “I [eventually] realized it’s not just physical, but it’s mental, it’s emotional. I realized it had way less to do with what I look like and all to do with how I felt about myself.”
‘I want people to do what validates them’
Regret or dissatisfaction with plastic surgery is unfortunately common. A recent 2024 study published in the National Library of Medicine (NIH) found that **9.1 percent** of patients report dissatisfaction or regret following breast augmentation.
To delve deeper into society’s complex relationship with plastic surgery, Michelle has partnered with Hayu to host Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind. This reality TV show features nine celebrities and influencers who have undergone plastic surgery, meeting with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow and psychotherapist Dr. Spirit. Together, they explore the motivations behind their decisions and whether their surgeries were truly what they desired or a result of societal pressure.
Michelle is drawn to the series for its unique approach to discussing plastic surgery. “It was a big draw for me, because, again, I’m not anti-plastic surgery. I want people to do what validates them, but body dysmorphia and body dysphoria; these are very big things,” she explains. “It’s called Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, but it’s not botched. Botched is surgery gone wrong; this is not that.”
She emphasizes that the surgeries featured in the show look great on everyone involved, but the focus is on understanding the reasons behind their decisions. “Every single one of them was transformed by this experience. They’re all still very close; they’re bonded for life because of what they’ve gone through,” she says proudly.
Michelle reflects on her own journey, noting that her breast reduction surgery involved significant therapy. “I was known for these giant boobs, and if you watch my documentary, my daughter Lola says, ‘Well, there goes your career.’ And it’s absolutely one of those things where you’re thinking, ‘Will people still want to watch me on TV?’”
‘These people that are judging you have never walked a step, let alone a mile, in your shoes’
The pressures surrounding body image are particularly pronounced for LGBTQ+ individuals. A 2021 NIH study revealed that queer men are significantly more likely to experience body dissatisfaction and pursue cosmetic surgery as a result.
Michelle points to dating apps as a prime example of societal pressures, where profiles often specify preferred body types. “You see bios on dating apps saying no ass, don’t bother, no girth, don’t swipe. All these things you automatically are told you’re not good enough,” she notes. “It’s everywhere. It’s people telling you you’re not worthy.”
She passionately advocates for self-acceptance, stating, “My dream for society, especially for queer people, is that they know they’re beautiful without going under the knife. If you want to, fine, that’s on you, but you don’t have to. That’s the message I would like people to hear.”
While Michelle emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, she clarifies that her comments do not extend to the experiences of trans individuals. “I can’t speak for trans people, I just want to put that on the record,” she asserts. “There’s so many more layers to that than me just saying don’t get implants.”
Ultimately, Michelle aims to empower individuals to make informed choices, whether they choose to undergo surgery or embrace their natural bodies. “I’ve learned to love my flat chest, I’ve learned and I’ve grown as a person, as a judge,” she shares. “Does that mean that I won’t get a facelift someday? No. If I want it, I’m going to get it. I just think people need to know why they’re doing what they’re doing.”
Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind is available to watch on Peacock in the US and on Hayu in the UK & Ireland.
