News | Entertainment
4 Feb 2026 20:22
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Kathy Bates "didn't wanna go through" reconstructive surgery after a double mastectomy because she "enjoyed not having breasts"

    The 76-year-old actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 aged 64 and decided for a number of reasons that having a procedure to restore her bosom wouldn't have been right for her


    Appearing on the 'MeSsy' podcast, she told hosts Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler: "This is really weird, maybe - but I had really heavy breasts.

    "They were, like, 10 pounds when they removed them, and I kind of enjoy not having breasts."

    The 'American Horror Story' star's main reason for not wanted the surgery was because of her age and not being "in a relationship" at the time.

    She explained: "At the age I was, I thought, 'You know, I really don't wanna go through that'.

    "I just didn't wanna go through it. I wasn't in a relationship, I was older, and I didn't think that I would be in a relationship.

    "So I was kind of like, 'Why do I have to?' "

    Kathy - who was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer nine years before her breast cancer battle - pointed out that she can still change her figure when necessary for a role, such as in her 'Matlock' reboot where she sports a camisole-esque garment.

    She said: "They put little false-y cups in it, and they're so comfortable, and they give me a nice shape. And that's it."

    Back in 2018, Kathy opened up on her decision to avoid reconstructive surgery, insisting it would've involved her taking too much time away from her acting career, which she described as her "life force".

    She added to People at the time: "I'm having too much fun."

    However, she still wanted to use her experience and position to urge women to stay healthy and keep on top of things with regular check-ups.

    She advised: "Quit taking the damn selfies and worrying about what you look like. Instead, keep everything working and in good order."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     04 Feb: Kehlani urged the music community to "speak out against what's going on" after winning a Grammy Award on Sunday night (01.02.26)
     04 Feb: Alex Warren "used to email Justin Bieber" before finding success in the music business
     04 Feb: Gloria Estefan is convinced Bad Bunny will "kill it" during his Super Bowl Halftime Show
     04 Feb: John Lithgow finds J.K. Rowling's trans stance "ironic and inexplicable"
     04 Feb: Timothee Chalamet insists that his unconventional promotion tours aren't a gimmick
     04 Feb: Charli xcx doesn't want to have children
     04 Feb: Jason Segel was thrilled to work with his "idol" Michael J. Fox in Shrinking
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks centurion Codie Taylor believes the distraction of the coaching saga will be put to one side when Super Rugby gets underway next week More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kehlani urged the music community to "speak out against what's going on" after winning a Grammy Award on Sunday night (01.02.26) 20:01

    Entertainment:
    Alex Warren "used to email Justin Bieber" before finding success in the music business 19:31

    Skiing:
    Australian man Michael 'Micky' Hurst dies in Japan while skiing 19:27

    Entertainment:
    Gloria Estefan is convinced Bad Bunny will "kill it" during his Super Bowl Halftime Show 19:01

    Politics:
    National's not ruling out running candidates in Maori seats in this year's election 18:57

    Rugby:
    All Blacks centurion Codie Taylor believes the distraction of the coaching saga will be put to one side when Super Rugby gets underway next week 18:37

    Entertainment:
    John Lithgow finds J.K. Rowling's trans stance "ironic and inexplicable" 18:31

    International:
    Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went 18:17

    Business:
    A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Timothee Chalamet insists that his unconventional promotion tours aren't a gimmick 18:01


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd