Danniella Westbrook reveals painful scars after latest operation in 18-month facial reconstruction journey

Danniella Westbrook has been pictured displaying the painful aftermath of her latest facial reconstruction procedure as she continues an extensive programme of surgery expected to last another 18 months.

The former EastEnders actress, 52, stepped out in London this week with visible bruising, stitches and scarring beneath her nose following another stage of treatment intended to restore the structure of her face.

Danniella is understood to have recently undergone an upper vascular flap procedure and lip augmentation as surgeons work to repair damage caused by years of serious health and addiction problems.

Despite the noticeable post-operative wounds, the television personality appeared determined to continue with her everyday routine as she visited a celebrity hair salon in Mayfair.

She wore a pink T-shirt, patterned cardigan and beige trousers for the outing and was photographed leaving hairstylist Matthew David’s salon with rollers still in her hair.

Danniella carried a shopping bag as she made her way outside, marking one of her first public appearances since the latest operation.

The actress has been remarkably open about the complex treatment she faces as doctors attempt to rebuild her facial structure.

She previously revealed that osteoporosis has severely weakened the bones on one side of her face.

According to Danniella, an area of her cheek now has virtually no natural bone remaining, meaning surgeons may eventually need to insert a specially created metal cheekbone.

“I think since I got older, the osteoporosis has set in on my bones,” she explained during a recent appearance on Vanessa Feltz’s Channel 5 programme.

“So on this side of my face, I don’t have any bone at all.”

Danniella said filler is currently being used to support the weakened area, but doctors have warned that a more permanent reconstruction will be required.

“They’ve got to rebuild all my bones,” she said.

“At the moment it’s filler, but they’ve really got to do a metal bone.”

The planned cheek implant would reportedly be attached to a stronger area further inside her face where the remaining bone is not deteriorating.

Danniella acknowledged that the prospect of undergoing such a significant procedure was frightening.

She estimated that she had already reached approximately her sixth operation in the current reconstruction process.

“I’ve been through umpteen surgeries,” she said.

“I think I’m coming up to surgery number six at the moment. It’s quite scary.”

The latest procedure was intended to address the position of her upper lip, which Danniella said had been pulled upwards and in the wrong direction.

She described the operation as resembling a cleft-lip reversal, although the exact medical terminology and surgical plan are matters for her specialist team.

Danniella explained that surgeons intended to use tissue from inside her cheek to rebuild the affected area while attempting to minimise visible external scarring.

“The next one they’re doing is like a hare-lip reversal because my lip’s so far up now where it’s pulling up that way,” she told Vanessa.

She said the procedure involved cutting a flap of tissue from inside her cheek, repositioning it and using it to support the lip.

The actress added that she wanted as much of the surgical work as possible to be performed internally to reduce scarring on the outside of her face.

However, her first appearance following the latest operation showed that some temporary wounds and stitches remained visible beneath her nose.

The images captured the difficult reality of reconstructive surgery, which can involve considerable swelling, bruising and discomfort before any final results become clear.

Danniella has said she expects to return to surgery every two and a half to three months.

“About another six to go, I think, after this one,” she said when asked how many procedures remained.

“It’s another 18 months of surgery after surgery after surgery.”

Earlier this year, the actress travelled to Dubai for a reported £45,000 series of procedures, including a full face and neck lift.

She had previously undergone further nasal reconstruction in which cartilage was taken from her rib to help repair her nose.

Those operations followed years of medical complications connected to the collapse of her septum.

Danniella has spoken candidly about how prolonged cocaine use seriously damaged her health and appearance.

She has estimated that she spent approximately £250,000 on the drug during the height of her addiction.

The former soap star has never attempted to hide the role her past choices played in her present medical difficulties.

However, she has also emphasised that the operations she is undergoing are not simply conventional cosmetic treatments.

They are intended to correct structural damage, rebuild weakened areas and improve the alignment of her face.

Danniella recently underwent a facelift partly because the two sides of her face had become significantly uneven.

“I’ve just recently had to have a facelift to realign both sides of my face because they were so wonky,” she explained.

The actress said that adjusting the alignment was necessary before surgeons could continue working on her nose and surrounding facial features.

While discussing the lengthy process, Danniella made a heartbreaking admission about the effect the damage has had on her confidence.

“I hate looking in the mirror,” she said.

“I hate it. I hate looking.”

The emotional comments revealed the psychological toll of living with highly visible health problems while facing constant public scrutiny.

Danniella has frequently been subjected to cruel online remarks about her appearance, even while undergoing painful treatment intended to repair serious damage.

She previously revealed that some social-media users had told her to die or take her own life.

To protect her mental wellbeing, she sometimes avoids reading comments and does not always personally operate her social-media accounts.

Yet Danniella has also acknowledged the many supporters who have sent compassionate and encouraging messages.

Her latest public appearance showed that she remains determined to continue with the treatment despite the discomfort and length of the journey ahead.

The actress hopes that completing the reconstruction will eventually allow her to resume her acting career.

Before one major operation, she told followers that she was preparing for a long day of surgery to rebuild her face.

“Then I can get back to work,” she added.

Danniella became a household name when she joined EastEnders at the age of 16 as Sam Mitchell.

The younger sister of Phil and Grant Mitchell quickly became a prominent character in Albert Square.

Danniella played Sam during several separate periods over eight non-consecutive years.

Her time on the programme was repeatedly interrupted as she struggled with addiction and problems in her personal life.

Actress Kim Medcalf later assumed the role during Danniella’s absences and has continued portraying Sam in more recent appearances.

Danniella last returned to EastEnders in 2016 before stepping away while concentrating on her mental health.

She has since spoken about her wish to act again once her reconstruction is complete and she feels more like herself.

The star has said she would consider returning to the BBC soap when she looks the way she believes she is “supposed to”.

Her comments demonstrate how closely her hopes for professional renewal have become connected to her physical recovery.

Danniella has also reflected on the dangers young performers can face after finding fame suddenly.

She previously described entering a nightclub culture in which cocaine appeared fashionable and widely available.

“I was always in clubs and everyone was doing coke and it was glamorous — except obviously, it wasn’t at all,” she said.

“I was just very young, very stupid and very easily led.”

She believes television companies should provide stronger guidance for young actors entering the entertainment industry.

Danniella has argued that inexperienced performers should be warned about drugs, predatory individuals and the speed with which fame can disappear.

Her own story has become a stark example of the long-term consequences addiction can carry.

The effects did not end when the drug use stopped.

Years later, she continues to undergo complicated operations to repair damage that has affected her nose, lips, cheeks and underlying bone structure.

Each stage requires careful planning, significant expense and months of healing before the next can begin.

The photographs taken outside the Mayfair salon showed the immediate physical cost of the latest operation.

But they also captured Danniella refusing to remain hidden while she recovers.

She visited the salon, dressed brightly and continued moving forward despite the stitches beneath her nose.

The final outcome of her reconstruction remains many months away.

She still faces the possible insertion of a metal cheekbone, further work on her nose and lip, and several additional procedures.

There may be more swelling, scarring and difficult days before surgeons complete their work.

Yet Danniella has approached the process with unusual openness, allowing the public to see that reconstruction is rarely an instant transformation.

It is a prolonged medical journey involving fear, pain and uncertainty.

For the former EastEnders star, it is also about regaining the confidence she lost and creating an opportunity to return to the career she began as a teenager.

Her latest scars may appear raw, but they mark another completed stage in that journey.

After decades defined by addiction, tabloid scrutiny and medical setbacks, Danniella remains focused on rebuilding her life and face — one difficult operation at a time.