Former soap actress Danniella Westbrook has spent years attempting to reconstruct her face following a troubled past that included drug addiction.
Photos recently revealed the 52-year-old looking dramatically different after undergoing further reconstructive procedures in Dubai.
Danniella first rose to fame playing Sam Mitchell on BBC One’s EastEnders. Over the years, she has been open about the numerous operations she’s had — some medically necessary, others cosmetic — often updating fans about her transformation journey.
Here’s a look at the many procedures she has undergone.
Nose Reconstruction
After struggling with cocaine addiction in the 1990s, Danniella’s nasal septum collapsed, leading to major reconstructive surgery. She has previously spoken about trying drugs at 14 following childhood abuse.
In her 2006 autobiography, she detailed how doctors rebuilt her damaged septum and columella.
Multiple Breast Augmentations
Danniella has undergone at least seven breast enlargement surgeries, eventually reaching a 34DD size.
While appearing on Celebrity Botched Up Bodies, she shared that she initially went from a 34B to a 34D — but chose to go even larger despite medical advice. She once admitted she wanted implants so big they resembled “huge footballs,” even though her surgeon warned her frame was too petite.
Dental Reconstruction and Screws
In 2015, Danniella nearly lost her life after complications from surgery. She developed severe osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, which significantly affected her facial structure.
Her cheekbones deteriorated, leaving her with screws in place of teeth. She later explained that doctors needed to insert a plate into her face but lacked strong enough bone to secure it.
While in the Celebrity Big Brother house, she was taken to hospital multiple times due to excruciating dental pain. The bone had not healed around the screws, forcing emergency treatment. She also battled septicaemia and spent seven weeks in hospital. Eventually, all her teeth were removed and replaced with dentures.
Liposuction on Her Knees
Among her more unusual procedures was liposuction on her knees — something she later admitted was unnecessary.
She has also acknowledged that several other cosmetic treatments — including breast surgeries, Botox, an eye lift, and a face lift — were not essential.
Rib Implant in Her Cheek
In 2022, Danniella revealed plans to have part of a rib inserted into her cheek to aid facial reconstruction.
She has spoken candidly about the trolling she endures online, saying cruel comments about her appearance deeply affected her confidence. However, she said the procedure was not purely cosmetic and could also help with breathing and sinus problems.
Multiple Facial Reconstructions
In 2023, she traveled to Turkey for her fifth facial reconstruction. She described undergoing a thread lift involving over 1,200 threads inserted into her face.
A separate nose procedure using 200 threads failed to straighten it as intended. She also had fat removed from her back, sides, and stomach and transferred into her face to improve symmetry — though she later described the outcome as a “living nightmare.”
In 2025, she underwent yet another facial surgery. Despite complications from an infection, she later shared that doctors cleared her to move forward with the next stage of recovery.
Most Recent Operation
Her latest procedure included a full face, neck, and brow lift, along with further lip and nose reconstruction. The surgery took place at Gargash Hospital in Dubai and was performed by her long-time surgeon, Dr. Parviz Sadigh.
She was photographed before the operation in a hospital gown and later leaving in a wheelchair, wearing a facial compression garment.
Recovery from a full face, neck, and chin lift can take up to nine months.
Danniella continues to document her medical and cosmetic journey, remaining candid about both the physical and emotional challenges she has faced along the way.
