Loose Women panellist Katie Piper has revealed how surgeons reconstructed her face after she was the victim of a horrific acid attack in 2008, aged just 24
Katie Piper OBE explained that her “face is made out of a cow” as she opened up about her NHS surgeons’ pioneering work.
The Loose Women panelist, 38, had to have her face rebuilt after she was attacked with acid by her ex-boyfriend, which caused major damage to her face and blindness in one eye.
After her eye operation, Katie’s daughter told her she found her ‘scary’, which broke her heart.
Explaining the moment, Katie said to The Sun : “It was quite sad when I was having some eye surgery and my eldest was like, ‘I don’t really want you to kiss me goodnight, I think you’re scary.’
“And of course, I had a little cry in the bathroom because I was like ‘oh god, this is where we are at.'”
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In April last year, Katie updated fans after undergoing a successful operation for a skin graft over her right eye.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your lovely messages of support!” she captioned her hospital selfies.
“They’ve helped me keep smiling throughout my surgery, and a big thanks to the incredible team at the hospital Here’s to a lazy recovery weekend!”
At that point, Katie has already undergone 400 surgeries as a result of the horrific 2008 attacks.
Meanwhile, the activist received a huge honour over the New Year’s.
She was among many stars that were appointed as an Officer of Order of the British Empire in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to charity and burn victims.
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Katie – who set up the Katie Piper Foundation in 2009 – was speechless after receiving the new title and explained how she felt on an episode of Loose Women.
She explained: “It was a real surreal feeling. It didn’t actually feel real when I first heard and it’s amazing to have it but it really is such a group effort.
“I know my name is on the charity, but it’s a group of trustees, volunteers, staff, all the burns survivors as well, and over those 11 years people have come and gone – they’ve helped the charity and then they’ve moved on.
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“You can’t make change with just one person.”
During an older episode of the ITV talk show, Katie even called for tougher sentences on acid attacks.
“It’s becoming the weapon of choice for a lot of people because it carries a lesser charge. I do think the law needs to be updated with a reclassification so the sentencing can be increased,” she said.