Quick Read
- Danniella Westbrook, 52, unveiled her post-surgery face on February 10, 2026, in Dubai.
- She underwent a full face, neck, and brow lift, plus lip and nose reconstruction at Gargash Hospital.
- The surgery addresses damage from a collapsed septum in 2002, a consequence of past cocaine addiction.
- Westbrook was hospitalized in December 2025 with breathing issues, delaying a movie comeback.
- She has consistently funded her own surgeries despite her public struggles and plans another operation in February 2026.
DUBAI (Azat TV) – Veteran actress Danniella Westbrook, widely recognized for her role as Sam Mitchell on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, has once again captured public attention, unveiling her post-surgery appearance on February 10, 2026, in Dubai. The 52-year-old emerged from Gargash Hospital heavily bandaged and swollen after undergoing extensive facial reconstructive surgery, marking the latest chapter in her decades-long battle to repair severe facial damage stemming from past addiction.
Westbrook’s latest procedures, which included a full face, neck, and brow lift, alongside lip and nose reconstruction, represent a comprehensive effort to restore her appearance. Images published by several UK outlets, including the Daily Mail, Daily Star, and The Mirror, showed Westbrook being wheeled out of the hospital in a bright pink dress, her head wrapped in a large beige bandage, signaling the intensity of the operations.
Danniella Westbrook’s Latest Reconstructive Surgery
The recent surgery in Dubai was performed by Dr. Parviz Sadigh, a surgeon with whom Westbrook has a long-standing relationship, having undertaken several previous operations in her complex case. Westbrook herself expressed immense gratitude and anticipation in an Instagram post in January 2026, stating, “A massive amount of love and respect to my Amazing surgeon @parvizsadigh for all his hard work. Everyday I grow and glow xxxx thank you and roll on Feb for the next operation.” This message underscored her determination and the ongoing nature of her medical journey.
The procedures were far from minor, aiming to address significant structural damage. Photographs taken before the surgery depicted Westbrook in a hospital gown, appearing nervous yet resolute. Her post-operative appearance, swollen and bruised, rendered her almost unrecognizable as she left the hospital. These images quickly circulated across social media and news platforms, eliciting a mixture of concern and support from her extensive fanbase and the wider public.
Decades-Long Struggle and Medical Setbacks
Westbrook’s facial challenges are rooted in her well-documented battle with cocaine addiction, which led to the collapse of her septum in 2002. At the peak of her addiction, she reportedly consumed up to five grams of cocaine daily, spending an estimated £250,000 on the substance, as detailed by the Daily Mail. This severe drug use, compounded by osteoporosis, caused progressive deterioration of her facial structure over many years. Her journey has been marked by a series of reconstructive surgeries, some successful, others less so, with Westbrook admitting in 2023 that she disliked the results of a previous operation and had waited seven years to find a surgeon willing to take on her complex case.
The path to this latest surgery was not without its difficulties. Just weeks prior, in December 2025, Westbrook was rushed to the hospital due to breathing complications directly stemming from her collapsed septum. This medical emergency forced her to withdraw from filming the movie Tales From The Trap, where she was slated for a comeback role as a ‘gangster granny’ selling AK47s. A source close to Westbrook conveyed the disappointment to the Daily Mail, noting the significant opportunity this role presented for her acting career relaunch, which ultimately had to be recast.
A Public Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Danniella Westbrook first rose to prominence at 16 as Sam Mitchell in EastEnders. Her career, however, has been punctuated by personal struggles and public scrutiny. After being written out of the soap in 1996 due to her addiction, she made several returns, though her character was eventually recast. She last appeared on television in 2016, finishing third on Celebrity Big Brother, following stints on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2003, Dancing On Ice in 2010, and Hollyoaks in 2013. Each appearance often signaled a potential fresh start, a chance to redefine herself beyond the tabloid headlines detailing her struggles.
Throughout her reconstructive journey, Westbrook has steadfastly financed her own surgeries, reportedly declining offers for free procedures from various clinics. She had initially hoped for some work to be covered by the NHS but ultimately paid out of pocket, a testament to her personal investment in her recovery. Her resilient public persona, epitomized by her Instagram message, reflects a deep-seated hope for renewal and a commitment to her personal healing process.
As she continues her recovery from this extensive surgery, Westbrook has indicated that her medical journey is ongoing, with another operation anticipated later in February 2026. Her story remains a powerful and public reminder of the profound long-term consequences of addiction, yet it also highlights an unwavering human capacity for resilience and transformation in the face of overwhelming adversity.