The Artist Formerly Known as Jesus Jugs might be a better nickname for Alexis Bellino these days. The Real Housewives of Orange County alum recently went under the knife again and got smaller implants after a health scare with her last set left her with unusual symptoms. Now, she’s encouraging others to think long and hard before undergoing cosmetic procedures.
Alexis Bellino “had to do something” about her “bizarre” symptoms
Alexis shared with PEOPLE that she recently had emergency breast implant surgery after experiencing “bizarre” symptoms and escalating discomfort.
Alexis, 48, said that she first got breast implants at 19, despite her mom’s objections. She even took out a loan to pay for them. Since then, she’s had four different sets.
“I was the first girl at the University of Missouri to ever get implants. It was the biggest deal ever,” she said. “Everyone was in shock that I did that. And since then I’ve had three more.” She got her last set in 2008.
But things started going downhill a few years ago when she developed capsular contracture—a painful condition where scar tissue hardens around implants. She had corrective surgery in 2022, but it didn’t hold for long.
“Unfortunately, about six months after that surgery, the contracture started to come back again,” she explained. Apparently, once that happens, it often continues to happen.
What started as occasional discomfort turned into something more serious. She began feeling a shooting pain in her breast. Then, new symptoms appeared.
“I was feeling numbness and tingling in my arms,” she shared. “I wasn’t even lying on it. It was just constantly falling asleep.”
Eventually, she noticed her left breast swelling and rising in photos. That’s when she turned to a Beverly Hills specialist. During surgery on April 15, doctors discovered one of her implants had ruptured, leaking silicone into her body.
“I’m so thankful because honest to goodness, if I hadn’t gone in, I would still be experiencing the numbness, all these aches,” she said.
Surgeons removed the implant and replaced it with a smaller one, using surgical mesh for added support.
“I went smaller. So ‘Jesus Jugs’ is going down,” Alexis quipped. “I’m sure Tamra [Judge] can come up with another nickname.” Tamra bestowed the moniker upon Alexis and called her “delusional” during a RHOC Season 7 blow-up.
Now recovering at home, she’s warning her daughters and others close to her not to follow in her footsteps.
“I’m sorry. Yes, it’s a double standard … but no. It’s not an option,” she said. “If I was 19 again, I would tell myself not to do it.”
Looking back, Alexis hopes her experience makes others weigh the pros and cons. “I want everyone to think twice before cosmetic surgery at this point,” she added. “Wisdom is key.”
What’s next for Alexis after her RHOC departure? She’s preparing to walk down the aisle with John Janssen this summer!
The Real Housewives of Orange County streams on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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