A style icon and Spain’s most famous socialite, Isabel Preysler, has recently lifted the veil on one of the most talked-about topics of her life. In her memoirs, she candidly revealed for the first time her numerous nose surgeries. Now her surgeon, Javier de Benito, has decided to share his professional perspective on this long-running saga, revealing details that cast the celebrity’s flawless image in a new light.
The specialist explained that the human body is not an endless resource for experimentation. Each surgical procedure leaves its mark. Tissues are damaged, scars and fibrosis form, and with every new operation, the process becomes much more complicated, reducing the chances of a successful outcome. According to him, after three or four procedures, it’s impossible to give any guarantees, as the body simply can’t keep healing forever. It doesn’t recognize the names of famous surgeons—it just reacts to trauma.
De Benito clarified that he met Preysler after she had already undergone several rhinoplasty procedures. Assessing her situation, he strongly advised her to stop turning to surgeons and even referred her to his mentor in the United States for a consultation. However, Isabel decided to go through with another correction abroad, which led to an unpleasant incident. One of the small implants supporting the shape of her nose shifted and began to protrude under the skin. It was De Benito who had to fix this error, performing surgery to remove and reposition the implant.
The doctor attributes his patient’s persistence to her personality. He describes Preysler as an incredible perfectionist, always troubled by even the slightest imperfections in her appearance. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that in pursuit of the ideal, it is crucial to know when to stop, as the risk of serious complications increases exponentially with each procedure. His words confirm what many had only suspected: behind the glossy façade, there was a story of struggle, vulnerability, and a desperate drive for perfection.
Isabel herself, in her book “My True Story,” calls this journey a real nightmare. It all started back in the 1970s in Manila with an operation meant to fix a deviated septum and improve her breathing. However, according to her, the surgeon made a fatal mistake by deciding to also ‘clean up the cartilage.’ This intervention set off a chain reaction of misfortunes. Preysler recalls a desperate moment when her nose literally ‘fell apart,’ and doctors, unsure how to help, refused to treat her.
In total, she has undergone nine operations, which have drained her both physically and emotionally. The last incident happened quite recently, in 2023, when one of her grandchildren accidentally hit her while playing. Preysler admits she is so tired of doctors and hospitals that she almost doesn’t care anymore. But she has no regrets, because being able to hug and play with her grandchildren means more to her than anything—even if it sometimes comes at a price.
