Brittany Cartwright is on the mend after undergoing a secret surgical procedure, leaving fans curious. The reality TV personality gave everyone a peek into her recovery this past Sunday, October 5, sharing a personal photo on Instagram. It showed her stomach wrapped in snug compression bandages, with two medical drains visible, each holding a bit of red fluid.
"When they said ‘remove what no longer serves you,’ I took it literally 💅," the 36-year-old star playfully captioned the image. This cryptic message got everyone talking, wondering just what she had done. Her representatives were reportedly contacted by an entertainment publication for more information.
In the comments section, the star of The Valley offered a slightly clearer, though still vague, explanation. "Seriously now, you know I’m always honest, so… I did something," Cartwright wrote to her followers. She explained it was "something I’ve wanted to do for years and finally took the step for myself." She sounded incredibly happy with her choice, adding, "Couldn’t be happier. Still recovering, but feeling stronger (and lighter) every day. I’m looking forward to sharing more with you soon!"
The Instagram photo, a selfie taken in a fancy bathroom, also seemed to show a compression bra. This detail, along with the visible drains, quickly led fans to guess what kind of surgery she might have had.
One fan speculated, "I think she had a tummy tuck, but it looks like she also had her implants removed." This refers to a previous breast augmentation Cartwright underwent, which was famously featured during the fourth season of Vanderpump Rules. Her former husband and The Valley co-star, Jax Taylor, footed the bill for that procedure. It’s worth noting that Cartwright filed for divorce from Taylor, 46, in August 2024.
Amidst the comments on Cartwright’s honest post, support poured in from friends. Kristen Doute, 42, another The Valley cast member, cheered her on, writing, "My beautiful girl! Letting go of that dead weight and going for the upgrade!! @drpay @drjlayke." Doute even tagged two Beverly Hills, California, plastic surgeons, perhaps offering a clue about the doctors involved.
Cartwright later gave more details about her recovery journey through Instagram Stories on Sunday evening. She shared a heartwarming photo of a small vase holding a single rose, a gift from her 4-year-old son, Cruz. "Cruzy picked me a flower from the garden to put by my bed while I recover," she wrote. "He comes throughout the day to lovingly come give me hugs and kisses." Cruz is the son she shares with Taylor. She also reposted her recovery picture on another Instagram story, adding three emojis with heart-eyes, showing her positive spirit.
Interestingly, Cartwright had mentioned being open to breast surgery on her "When Reality Bites" podcast back on March 21. "I get comments and things about my breasts all the time and it’s so annoying because I had breast surgery, gosh, probably like 10 years ago now," she revealed on the podcast. She continued, "Anyway, it’ll be time to get them redone soon." She explained how having her son and her weight "fluctuat[ing] a lot" meant her breasts "get very big or they shrink." This often led to accusations from people thinking she’d had more breast surgery.
During the same podcast episode, she confirmed her future plans. "It’s definitely something I’m considering for the future. I would definitely go for something smaller," she stated. This past confession now adds a layer of understanding to the recent, mysterious "something" she decided to do for herself.