Melissa Gilbert’s Bold Beauty Reversal: Why She Ditched Implants and Botox for Good—And What It Means for Your Own Wellness Journey

Melissa Gilbert’s journey from beloved child star of Little House on the Prairie to embracing a natural, unapologetic aging process is nothing short of inspiring—and it might just make you rethink your own approach to self-care. At 61, Gilbert opened up on the I Choose Me With Jennie Garth podcast about shedding the layers of cosmetic treatments and finding true comfort in the skin she’s in. But here’s the kicker—this wasn’t a snap decision; it took years, a good dose of self-reflection, and a supportive partner to help her strip away the artificial and reconnect with her authentic self. Are we too quick to slap on a filter or a filler when sometimes the bravest act is simply to age gracefully, wrinkles and all? Dive in, because Melissa’s story isn’t just about growing older; it’s about owning it with boldness and heart. LEARN MORE

Melissa Gilbert, child star who found fame in Little House on the Prairie, is comfortable in her own skin—but it took her a bit of time to get there. During a recent appearance on the I Choose Me With Jennie Garth podcast, the 61-year-old got candid with the host about aging naturally, her choice to forgo cosmetic procedures and remove her breast implants. While it’s been over a decade since the actress left the Hollywood hills behind, this change was a long time coming. Here, read all about Melissa’s natural approach to aging. 

Melissa Gilbert learned to find comfort in her own skin

Melissa Gilbert’s husband played an important role in her journey, but as the actress remembers it, it was in the years prior to marrying him that the wheels first started turning about this decision. Years ago, Melissa saw a photograph of herself during a time in which her filler, botox and cosmetic work were at an all-time high. “It startled me and I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s not who I am or who I wanted to be.’ I made a decision to back off all of that to see what was underneath it and to figure out who I was,” she shared on the podcast. “And then I met Tim a while after that and I started expressing this to him and he was all for it.”

Melissa Gilbert on her husband’s influence

In 2012, Gilbert met her husband, Timothy Busfield, in a bar, and for both halves of this duo, it was love at first sight. “It sounds cliché to say it, but it really was like getting hit with a thunderbolt,” Gilbert told People back in 2024.“It just seemed right and inevitable. The next morning when I woke up, my first thought was, ‘I’m going to marry him,’ and I then my next thought was, ‘You’re a crazy person.’” 

Busfield, who had left Los Angeles to head back to his home state of Michigan, welcomed his wife’s journey of self-discovery, and her move back to the Midwest was a change she was glad to adjust to. “It was so different and peaceful,” she said of moving back to Michigan with him. “It was a really great kind of honeymoon period, but it was also a really great time for me to land into my own skin.” After they had gotten married, Gilbert pondered over the idea of removing her breast implants, which led to other changes she made in her life to embrace the natural aging process—all of which Timothy happily supported. Since then, Melissa lives a healthy life, happy with her decisions to live and age naturally. 

The rise in breast ‘explanting’

With folks becoming more and more transparent about cosmetic surgery, many have also opened up about their decisions to undo the work they’ve done. The reason for explanting varies from person to person, and while some do it for the sake of appearance, others have opened up about their struggle with breast implant illness. Though breast implant illness has become a topic of discussion as of late, not much research is available at this point. According to The Cleveland Clinic, the causes can include “Autoimmune or inflammatory reaction to parts of the breast implant, such as silicone,” as well as bacteria growing on the surface of the implant or negative reactions to surgery.

Is breast implant removal covered by insurance?

If the reason for removing breast implants is deemed medically necessary, then there is a higher chance that the operation will be covered by insurance. For example, if the implant ruptures or they are causing severe pain, the removal may be covered by your insurance. 

How much does breast implant removal cost?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that the average cost of breast implant removal is around $4,000, but that doesn’t account for things like anesthesia and other expenses the facility might include.