Skip to content
The Mel Robbins PodcastThe Mel Robbins Podcast

How to Learn From Your Mistakes: Let Go of Regret & Move Forward (My Breast Implant Nightmare)

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — If you’ve ever failed, made a major mistake, or wish you could take something back, this episode will teach you how to let go of regret and move forward. Today, Mel is sharing her breast implant story and how everything went horribly wrong. Even though she can now laugh at some of the things that happened, she also faces the truth: how this one decision left her with regret and shame for years. This episode is a masterclass in turning your pain and past failures into straight-up rocket fuel. Mel gives life-changing insights that will turn your regret into wisdom that will help you get out of any situation where you feel stuck. It’s time to reclaim who you are meant to be and take back control of your life. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: http://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-219 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction 4:02 The deeply personal truth behind why Mel got breast implants 6:44 One critical mistake Mel made before getting breast implants 9:05 The first surprising sign that the breast implants were a mistake. 16:26 When a decision leaves you feeling ashamed – here’s how to handle it. 18:51 Facing regret alone? Here’s why you don’t have to. 22:17 This pivotal moment changed everything for Mel – it might for you too. 25:25 Considering breast implants? You need this research first. 28:17 Mel’s gut told her something was wrong...and it was. 33:10 Mel’s explant surgery story: here’s what REALLY happened. 42:19 Living with regret? Here’s how to turn your pain and past failures into fuel. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@UCk2U-Oqn7RXf-ydPqfSxG5g Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel Robbinshost
Oct 6, 202453mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Mel Robbins Turns Breast Implant Nightmare Into Powerful Lesson On Regret

  1. Mel Robbins shares a deeply personal story about getting breast implants, immediately regretting the decision, and then enduring years of physical and emotional fallout, including breast implant illness and a cancer-linked product recall. Through her journey to research, connect with others, and ultimately explant, she highlights how ignoring intuition, hiding in shame, and struggling alone compound regret. She contrasts that with what happens when you talk openly, seek help, and move into solution mode. The episode becomes both a public service announcement on breast implant risks and a broader roadmap for transforming any painful mistake into wisdom and forward progress.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Do your homework before making big, body- or life-altering decisions.

Mel rushed into implants based on insecurity and one surgeon’s opinion, skipping second opinions and research; she emphasizes slowing down, gathering information, and challenging professionals instead of outsourcing your judgment.

Regret grows in silence; talk about your mistake instead of hiding it.

Her shame over “doing this to herself” kept her quiet for three years, which delayed getting help; once she opened up and sought information, solutions and supportive people quickly appeared.

Your intuition usually knows a bad decision before your mind admits it.

She says she knew the implants were wrong from the moment she woke up from surgery, but overrode that inner knowing; the story illustrates how ignoring repeated internal “nope” signals leads to longer, deeper pain.

Most decisions are reversible; focus on making things better, not on self-blame.

Mel stresses that 99% of decisions can be changed or mitigated—through apology, corrective action, or a fresh choice—and that your job is not to endlessly punish yourself but to improve the situation from where you are.

Seek specialized, evidence-based help and peer communities for complex problems.

A chance encounter led her to a leading explant surgeon and a large Facebook group on breast implant illness, where she discovered research, common symptoms, and others’ experiences that validated her own and informed her choices.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

99% of decisions in life can be reversed.

— Mel Robbins

Regret is just a form of self-punishment.

— Mel Robbins

Nothing feels better than trusting your own intuition.

— Mel Robbins

We all make decisions that we regret, but it's not the regret that defines you, it's what you do after.

— Mel Robbins

It's almost like an explant surgery that you do for your soul and your mind.

— Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins’ personal breast implant story and immediate regretBreast implant illness, health risks, and recalled implantsThe role of shame, secrecy, and isolation in prolonging sufferingListening to and trusting your intuition after a bad decisionPractical process of researching options and seeking expert helpReframing regret: from self-punishment to learning and wisdomEmotional recovery, ongoing health monitoring, and self-forgiveness

High quality AI-generated summary created from speaker-labeled transcript.

Get more out of YouTube videos.

High quality summaries for YouTube videos. Accurate transcripts to search & find moments. Powered by ChatGPT & Claude AI.

Add to Chrome