Suzanne Somers is no stranger to miracles. At 75 years old, her looks seem to defy age. And after battling breast cancer years ago, the actress underwent treatment to regenerate her own breast.
According to Fox News, Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation, and she was missing most of one of her breasts for 11 years. But in 2012, the Three's Company star found a doctor at the University of Tokyo who was leading a clinical trial on regeneration using stem cells. The doctor used the alternative new treatment to regenerate Suzanne's breast tissue.
Amazingly, it worked.
The cancer survivor pointed out her regenerated breast at the Carousel of Hope fundraising ball.
"Do you know what's interesting about this?" she told Us Weekly, gesturing toward her chest. "This is a regrown breast. This is really mine. I went 11 years without a breast on this side."
Suzanne's controversial alternative treatment has drawn some criticism and skepticism from medical professionals.
In 2000, Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a longtime advocate of alternative health methods, she refused chemotherapy. Instead, she opted for a lumpectomy and radiation.
Afterward, 65% of one of her breasts was gone.
"I had a DD on one side, and on the other side I could barely fill a B cup," Suzanne said.
Around 2012, Suzanne underwent a controversial treatment to regenerate her breast tissue using her own stem cells. The procedure is known as cell-assisted lipotransfer.
Suzanne explained how it works to Us Weekly in a new interview.
"They took fat from my stomach," she said, "spun out the stem cells, discarded the weak ones, took the strong ones, injected them into this breast with, like, a turkey baster, and for a year I felt, like, electrical zippers growing the blood vessels."
Since then, Suzanne's breast has grown back to its normal size.
"I have two breasts gain that are mine," Suzanne raved. "No implants, no foreign objects in my body."
She says she was so excited about the results, she couldn't help but show off constantly.
"The first two weeks after I had it done, I was showing everybody. I'd whip it out — 'cause I was so used to not having it," she admitted.
"And then after two weeks, my husband said to me, 'You gotta stop showing people your breast!'"
Suzanne has faced criticism for her alternative health decisions in the past, including her approach to treating her cancer. She claims that the diagnosis changed her life for the better and that the lifestyle change is working well for her.
"I have a new standard of care,” she said. “I didn’t want chemical poison, I changed my diet, I eat real food, organic food only — if you can pick it, pluck it, milk it or shoot it."
And she says she's not worried about the cancer returning.
"I eat buttercream, sour cream, cream cheese, all organic, no hormones," she continued. "I sleep eight hours a night and I don’t take any drugs. I am in optimal life. I don’t even worry about cancer. It’s never coming back."
However, there's been plenty of controversy about Suzanne's approach to health, and her breast regeneration treatment is no exception.
Dr. Rod Rohrich, a professor and plastic surgeon, explained to the New York Post that surgeons in the United States generally steer clear of the unproven breast regeneration procedure.
Dr. Rohrich added that the procedure is like a breast augmentation, but riskier. Suzanne, on the other hand, is mighty pleased with her results.
