A leading plastic surgeon has praised Katie Price for speaking out about body dysmorphia, saying her emotional confession could help thousands of people recognise that cosmetic surgery is not the answer to deeper psychological distress.
The former glamour model made one of her most personal admissions yet during an appearance on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show podcast. A clip of the interview, recorded as part of the promotion for Price’s Nothing to Hide Sky documentary series, has had more than half a million views on Instagram this week.
Price, 48, revealed she believes she has body dysmorphia after years of cosmetic surgery. She admitted she “hates” what she sees in the mirror and has only one mirror in her home. Price said: “I’ve had so much surgery, and I’m still going. It’s like, ‘Kate, I know it’s not normal.’ I just hate the way I look. I hate what I see.”
The TV personality also admitted she believes she had previously been in denial. “I definitely think I’ve got body dysmorphia now. I can admit it. I was in denial before.”
Following the interview, leading consultant plastic surgeon Mr Gerard Lambe, founder of the Reflect Clinic UK and a member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), said Price’s willingness to speak so openly deserves praise.
“Price has lived much of her adult life in the public eye, with every change to her appearance becoming a headline. For someone in that position to openly acknowledge struggling with body image takes real courage,” Mr Lambe said.
“I hope people focus less on the surgery itself and more on what she’s actually saying, which is that despite years of procedures, she still isn’t happy with what she sees. That’s incredibly sad, but it’s also an important message.”
Mr Lambe had previously spoken publicly about Price, expressing concern that she appeared trapped in a cycle of repeatedly seeking cosmetic procedures, which he described as a “surgery addiction”. Reflecting on her latest comments, he said hearing her acknowledge those feelings herself was particularly striking.
“When I first spoke about Price’s surgery addiction, my concern was never about judging her appearance. It was about highlighting that repeated cosmetic procedures can sometimes reflect a much deeper struggle with body image,” Mr Lambe said. “Hearing Katie now say, ‘I’ve had so much surgery and I’m still going,’ suggests she recognises that herself. That level of honesty could genuinely help other people who have been silently battling the same thoughts.”
Mr Lambe stressed that Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a recognised mental health condition, not simply a desire to improve one’s appearance. At his Reflect Clinic, he and his team regularly see patients with the condition and, rather than encourage surgery, offer dedicated psychotherapy and support.
“Body dysmorphia isn’t vanity. It’s a serious psychological condition that causes people to become consumed by perceived flaws in their appearance,” Mr Lambe said. “As surgeons, part of our job is to screen people for it at the consultation stage and signpost patients to the right help and support, such as BDD Foundation, the UK’s BDD charity, where help can be found. As cosmetic surgeons, we have to remember that while we can change someone’s features, we cannot operate on self-worth.”
The BAAPS surgeon, an expert in surgical safety, added that consultations should always explore why somebody wants surgery rather than simply whether a procedure can be performed. “One of the hardest conversations a cosmetic surgeon can have is telling someone they’re not the right candidate for surgery. But sometimes saying no is the most caring thing you can do.”
Mr Lambe said he hopes Price’s comments will encourage more people to seek professional support if they recognise similar feelings in themselves. “If her honesty helps reduce the stigma around body dysmorphia or encourages someone to seek help instead of believing another operation will solve everything, then something genuinely positive will have come from it.”