Danniella Westbrook 'Terrified' of Future Surgeries After Painful Facial Reconstruction
Former EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook is reportedly living in fear as she prepares for three additional surgical procedures, following a recent painful facial reconstruction that has left her struggling to breathe and sleep. Despite publicly showcasing her new look with optimism, sources reveal the 52-year-old actress is experiencing significant distress behind closed doors.
Painful Recovery and Sleep Struggles
Westbrook returned from Dubai last month after undergoing a comprehensive face, neck, and brow lift performed by surgeon Dr. Parviz Sadigh. While she posted sun-drenched images appearing happy with the results, a source close to the star disclosed that her recovery has been far from smooth.
"She's struggling to breathe and sleep after the surgery," the source revealed. "She's been breaking down in tears and has been eating through a straw. Each day there is a little improvement, but obviously it has been painful. She's tired of all the operations."
The actress was recently photographed in a wheelchair following her latest procedure, appearing swollen and bruised with a facial compression garment wrapped around her head.
Anxiety Over Future Procedures
Despite captioning a recent social media post with "Three more nose operations to go. So we're over half way there now... Facelift has really changed me and given me my confidence back," Westbrook is reportedly crippled by anxiety about upcoming surgeries and their associated risks.
"She's not like Katie Price, who thrives on having surgery and gets really excited – Danniella dreads it," the source explained. "She is terrified of every op, but she needs to get back to work."
Westbrook has previously admitted her changing attitude toward cosmetic procedures, stating in 2022: "When I was younger I used to love plastic surgery. I had my boobs done six times and thought I was invincible. But now every time I go under anaesthetic I'm praying, 'Please let me wake up.' When you get older you see the risks for what they are."
Reconstructive Journey Following Addiction
The actress has spent more than a decade attempting to repair damage to her face caused by cocaine addiction, which she estimates cost her £250,000 and famously led to the collapse of her nasal septum. Last summer, she underwent surgery using cartilage from her rib to rebuild her nose.
Four years ago, Westbrook was rushed to A&E after being unable to breathe due to fluid buildup during a cold, prompting her to declare: "I need this surgery to survive. It's not for vanity – this is about my health."
A separate source emphasized the reconstructive nature of her recent procedures: "Danniella is over the moon with the results of her latest surgery. It was far more reconstructive than cosmetic, as the surgeons first had to rebuild the foundations to create facial symmetry before the nasal reconstruction could work."
Career Implications and Online Abuse
Westbrook was forced to withdraw from a new movie, Tales From The Trap – which also features Love Island's Liv Hawkins – after being hospitalized with breathing difficulties last December. The source explained her motivation for continuing with surgeries despite her fears: "She won't be happy unless she looks beautiful again and while she's terrified of more surgery, she needs to look right. She wants to start rebuilding her face and building a career with it."
Adding to her challenges, Westbrook has faced brutal trolling about her appearance online. Last year, she addressed the abuse: "No trolling or jokes directed at me will ever make me give up. I may have abused my body, taken drugs and made bad choices... but I am happy and for that I count my blessings."
Optimism Amidst Apprehension
Despite her nervousness about future operations, sources indicate Westbrook is feeling more optimistic than she has in years about her surgical journey. "She's got faith that, this time, she'll get the face she wants," the source said. "The other ones haven't quite worked out the way she wanted, but she's got faith in this guy in Dubai who's a top facial surgeon. She's just hoping that this is it."
Westbrook first rose to fame playing Sam Mitchell on EastEnders at age 14, when she initially became hooked on drugs. Now, she views further surgery as essential for rebuilding both her appearance and her career, even as she grapples with significant anxiety about the procedures ahead.
