British actress Danniella Westbrook appeared almost unrecognisable as she was photographed leaving hospital this week following another extensive facial reconstructive surgery.
The 52-year-old former EastEnders star emerged from a medical facility in Dubai with her face visibly swollen and wrapped in compression bandages, marking the latest stage in a long and medically complex recovery journey.
Westbrook underwent the procedure at Gargash Hospital in Dubai.
The surgery included a full face, neck and brow lift, as well as further lip and nose reconstruction.
Images taken before the operation show her in a hospital gown inside her room, preparing for what has been described as a lengthy and demanding procedure.
After surgery, she was seen wearing a pink dress while being assisted in a wheelchair as she left the hospital.
Her face appeared tightly supported by medical garments, a common part of recovery following extensive facial lifting procedures.
Full healing from such operations can take many months, with swelling and bruising often present during the early stages.
The surgery was performed by long-term surgeon Parviz Sadigh, who has previously treated Westbrook.
She publicly expressed appreciation for Dr. Sadigh in a recent social media post, writing that she had “a massive amount of love and respect” for his work.
In that same post, she indicated that February would mark another important step in her medical plans.
This latest procedure follows a challenging period for the actress.
In December, Westbrook was rushed to hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Those complications were reportedly linked to long-term structural damage caused by a collapsed septum.
As a result, she was forced to withdraw from filming a new movie project, Tales From The Trap, which had been intended as her return to screen work.
The role would have marked her first significant acting appearance in several years.
However, ongoing respiratory issues made it impossible for her to continue with production.
Westbrook first found fame in the early 1990s when she was cast as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders.
She joined the BBC soap as a teenager and quickly became a well-known figure in British television.
Her career during that period was marked by both popularity and intense public scrutiny.
In later years, she openly discussed her struggle with cocaine addiction, which began during the height of her fame.
At the peak of her dependency, she has said she was using large quantities of the drug daily.
Medical professionals later confirmed that prolonged use had caused severe damage to her nasal structure.
The collapse of her septum in the early 2000s led to significant facial complications.
Since then, Westbrook has undergone multiple reconstructive procedures aimed at restoring both appearance and functionality.
In 2023, she traveled to Turkey for several facial interventions, including thread lifts, fat grafting, and jawline reshaping.
At the time, she admitted she was unhappy with certain results and continued searching for a long-term solution.
She previously revealed that she had spent years attempting to find a surgeon willing to operate due to the severity of her septal collapse.
In some interviews, she explained that surgeons had declined to perform procedures because of the fragile condition of her nasal structure.
Last summer, she underwent a major nasal reconstruction using cartilage taken from her rib.
That operation was described as complex and medically necessary to rebuild the framework of her nose.
After months of healing, she shared images of the reconstructed nose and appeared optimistic about the outcome.
Her most recent surgery appears to be part of a broader effort to stabilize and refine previous work.
Facial lifts combined with reconstructive adjustments can help support underlying structures weakened over time.
Experts note that such procedures are often staged over several years when addressing severe structural damage.
Westbrook has spoken candidly about wanting to rebuild her face not only for health reasons but also to regain confidence in returning to acting.
She has repeatedly stated that her goal is to move forward professionally and personally.
In past interviews, she emphasized that reconstruction was about reclaiming her life rather than cosmetic enhancement.
The public response to her latest appearance has been mixed, with some expressing concern over her visible swelling.
However, medical professionals emphasize that post-operative swelling is a normal and temporary phase of recovery.
Compression garments are typically worn to reduce fluid retention and support tissue repositioning.
Healing timelines vary, but it can take up to nine months before final results fully settle.
Throughout her journey, Westbrook has remained open about her past struggles.
She has often described her battle with addiction as one of the most difficult chapters of her life.
In recent years, she has stated that she is sober and focused on maintaining stability.
Her story has become one of long-term recovery, resilience, and medical rebuilding.
While her appearance has changed significantly over the decades, she continues to face public life with transparency.
Her time on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016 marked her last major television appearance.
Before that, she competed on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Dancing On Ice, maintaining a presence in British entertainment despite ongoing health challenges.
The cancellation of her recent film comeback was a disappointment, according to sources close to the production.
Yet those familiar with her situation suggest that her health remains the priority.
As she continues recovering from this latest surgery, the focus now shifts to long-term healing.
Reconstructive procedures of this scale require patience, medical supervision, and gradual adjustment.
For Westbrook, the process appears to be ongoing rather than immediate.
Her journey illustrates the lasting physical consequences that addiction can leave behind.
At the same time, it reflects a sustained effort to rebuild and restore.
Whether or not she returns to acting soon, her medical path remains one of determination.
And as recovery continues, the visible swelling seen this week represents only one moment in a much longer story of healing.
