Kim Kardashian has been a household name in the USA since the early 2010s, and it is no surprise that a Brazilian teenager aspired to look like Kim. However, what is shocking is that Jennifer Pamplona, a former Versace model from Brazil widely recognised as Kim Kardashian's look alike, underwent over 40 surgeries in 12 years, spending over $600K to look like Kim.
The news came to the limelight as Jennifer further underwent a detransition surgery to get back to her old looks and her pre and post-surgery photos went viral. Jennifer admits that she has been addicted to surgeries and that she stuffed fillers on her face as if she were a supermarket.
Miss Pamplona reportedly suffered from Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a psychological condition where one cannot stop obsessing over their perceived flaws or defects in their appearance. Considering that she started getting the surgeries at the tender age of 17, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Teenagers these days are more prone to developing BDD due to the influence of social media. Typically, 12- to 13-year-olds start getting more conscious about their bodies as they step into puberty. However, if they start obsessing over minor flaws or defects in their bodies, it is highly likely that they are showing symptoms of BDD.
Earlier, Bollywood actress Ileana D'Cruz had admitted that she suffered from BDD. She had stated that she felt ugly as she saw herself in the mirror. According to some theories, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, and Sylvia Plath were all suffering from BDD. Kim Kardashian herself is speculated to have BDD as she has undergone numerous body-transforming surgeries to look like her present self.
Coming back to Jennifer, she started getting annoyed for being noticed only for being Kim Kardashian's look-alike, though she was a model and businesswoman herself. This is what triggered her to undergo numerous surgeries to get back to looking like her old self.
She discovered a doctor in Istanbul who claimed to be able to help her regain her former self. She claims to have had a neck and face lift, cat eye surgery, lip lift, buccal fat removal, and a nose job all at the same time.
Surgical procedures carry the risk of infection and bleeding, which must not be overlooked, and undergoing multiple surgeries at once can be fatal. Plastic surgery, implants, and fillers are becoming so common nowadays that even ordinary people fall prey to them. Many a times it's the marketing gimmicks and social media influencers that drive people to opt for these risky ventures. Jennifer's story is a lesson for all people, and by learning from her mistakes, we need to learn to love our bodies for what they are.
Your body and your looks can be your identity and individuality. Trying to become someone perfect or like your idol could mean giving up your identity. If you are suffering from an obsession over your flaws, it's high time to visit a mental health expert.
BDD is a mental condition, and therapy sessions with or without medication can help in overcoming this condition. Love being your authentic self because it distinguishes you, and flaunt it because you own it!
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