Former NASCAR star Danica Patrick says she has no regrets after having her breast implants removed, calling the experience transformative and empowering.
“I feel really good. I started feeling better within hours after surgery,” Patrick, 40, told Fox News.
Patrick has been candid on social media about her decision to undergo explant surgery, sharing her struggle with breast implant illness to help others facing similar challenges feel less isolated.
“I felt like I needed to share my story, too. And the fact that I have a good platform to do that and reach a big audience was more a positive than a negative,” she explained.
Facing Vulnerability Online
Opening up about her health journey online was not without hesitation. Patrick admitted she was initially concerned about revealing personal struggles such as hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, and dizziness—symptoms she experienced over several years.
“I was like, ‘Oh man, if I share this, I’m gonna have to tell people all the things I’ve been [hoping] they didn’t notice about me,’” she said.
Despite her fears, Patrick was met with overwhelming support. “I’ve gotten so much feedback after I spoke out, and I get it in the most random places—like Starbucks at the airport, the bathroom of a restaurant, or a sponsor appearance. That just goes to show you how this story resonates with so many people,” she added.
The Road to Explant Surgery
Patrick’s symptoms began in 2018 and gradually intensified. It wasn’t until April 2022 that she finally underwent surgery to remove her implants.
“It was really losing my cycle for a couple of months that got me to go to the doctor and have my hormones checked. My thyroid was low, my hormones were off. It felt like nothing was working,” she said.
Although breast augmentation and explant surgery are both major procedures, Patrick approached the surgery with eagerness, likening her anticipation to that of welcoming a newborn.
“I would tell the [hospital scheduler], ‘If I can get it tomorrow, I’ll come in tomorrow. Just let me know,’” she recalled. “It’s like if you were going to have a baby… you’re so ready because you just can’t wait. That’s how I felt.”
Embracing Life After Racing and Implants
Now single and implant-free, Patrick is embracing new chapters in her life. Reflecting on turning 40, she noted, “To sort of step into my next decade alone, was like, wow, OK. That kid-ship might be sailing.”
Patrick also revealed she does not miss the pressures of professional racing. “I do not miss the pressure. I don’t miss the schedule, the expectation levels, the judgment. I didn’t think about the risks, but there’s no risk anymore,” she said.
A New Passion: Wine
The retired racer has found joy in a different arena—wine. Patrick recently launched her own wine brand, Somnium, and enjoys the meticulous attention required in winemaking.
“After taking trips to wine country and experiencing that level of detail, the attention to every aspect of the process of growing the grapes and the fermenting, it just felt natural to me,” she said.
For Patrick, the journey of healing, self-discovery, and pursuing new passions illustrates that life after racing can be just as fulfilling—if not more—than the track itself.
