Plastic surgery, when done correctly, can be seen as a modern “fountain of youth,” allowing people to regain or maintain youthful looks. However, when misused or handled by inexperienced surgeons, it can lead to disastrous, life-altering results. The seven individuals highlighted here are examples of how an obsession with cosmetic surgery can take a devastating turn, leaving them disfigured or forever changed.

1. Hang Mioku: A Tragic Case of Self-Surgery

Hang Mioku, once a beautiful South Korean model, became fixated on achieving flawless skin. Her addiction to cosmetic procedures escalated quickly. By the time doctors refused to perform any further surgeries, Mioku took matters into her own hands. She purchased silicone off the black market and injected it into her face herself. When the silicone ran out, she resorted to injecting cooking oil. The damage was immediate and irreversible, with her face swelling grotesquely. Though doctors later removed some of the silicone and oil, Mioku’s face remained disfigured, a painful reminder of her addiction.

2. Amanda Lepore: A Life of Cosmetic Transformation

Born male, Amanda Lepore has had more procedures than most people can imagine. Lepore’s transformation included multiple nose jobs, lip injections, forehead lifts, Botox treatments, and even the extreme measure of having her bottom ribs removed to create a smaller waist. Her inspirations are Hollywood icons like Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, and the fictional character Jessica Rabbit. While her body is her “life’s work,” Lepore’s obsession has left her almost unrecognizable from her original self.

3. Jocelyn Wildenstein: The ‘Catwoman’

Jocelyn Wildenstein spent millions of dollars on cosmetic procedures to win the love of her husband, Alec Wildenstein. She underwent numerous surgeries, including brow lifts, facelifts, cheek implants, and canthopexy—a procedure that alters the eyes to make them look more cat-like, as her husband was a lover of big cats. Despite her efforts, her marriage ended in divorce. The obsession, however, continued. Even after her massive divorce settlement, Wildenstein is known for her exaggerated, feline-like appearance.

4. Pete Burns: Addiction to Surgery

As the lead singer of the British band Dead or Alive, Pete Burns became just as famous for his surgeries as his music. After suffering a broken nose, he became hooked on cosmetic surgery, which led to repeated procedures and even infections that required corrective surgeries. Burns spent most of his life savings on altering his face, and though he admitted that his face might “fall off” one day, his addiction never wavered until his death.

5. Jackie Stallone: Regrets at 91

The mother of action star Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Stallone admitted to regretting her numerous cosmetic procedures, which included everything from brow lifts to cheek implants. At 91, she joked that she looked like a “chipmunk with a mouthful of nuts,” acknowledging the extent of her obsession.

6. Fulvia Pellegrino: The Quest for Perfection

Fulvia Pellegrino’s journey began at 15, feeling trapped in her body. Over decades and after spending over $87,000, Fulvia underwent a series of procedures, including liposuction, breast implants, and more than 150 cheekbone and lip fillers. Yet, despite all her efforts, she remains unhappy with her appearance.

7. Sahar Tabar: The Instagram ‘Zombie’

Sahar Tabar rose to fame for her extreme resemblance to a “zombie Angelina Jolie” after undergoing more than 50 cosmetic surgeries. Her eerie, skeletal look led to speculation about her mental health. Later, she revealed that her surgeries and even her story were exaggerated for fame, making her tale one of deceit and media manipulation.

These stories show that while cosmetic surgery can improve one’s appearance, the consequences of obsession or poor decision-making can result in lifelong disfigurement and regret.