A Brazilian influencer, Juliana Oliveira, has begun a lifelong journey to rebuild her face after a botched cosmetic procedure left her with a warped, “Frankenstein-style” appearance.
Juliana, 32, a transgender woman from Passo Fundo, had sought to enhance her features with a silicone-based filler but instead received 21 syringes of mineral oil and laxatives into her cheeks without her consent.
The unapproved substance, notorious for being used by unscrupulous practitioners, left her fearing she would be disfigured forever.
She struggled to find work due to the shocking change to her face.
Now, Juliana has finally found a doctor willing to take on her case.
Last week, she underwent the first of several major operations aimed at rebuilding her features.
The removal of the mineral oils from her face, performed at Hospital Indianópolis in São Paulo, was successful.
The reconstructive surgery involved removing “as much skin as possible,” even with the tissue hardened and “impregnated” by the substance.
Several more procedures are planned over the coming months as specialists try to restore something close to her original look.
Juliana has been sharing her journey on social media, racking up over 47,000 followers.
Her surgeon, Thiago Marra, admitted the operation was “difficult” but expressed optimism about the initial results.
Juliana hopes the surgeries will enable her to look in the mirror and see someone resembling the fresh-faced brunette she once was.
Supporters have flooded her page with messages of hope, encouraging her through this challenging time.
