Priyanka Chopra's Traumatic Nose Surgery Experience and Its Impact
Priyanka Chopra is opening up about the profound mental health impact of a botched nose surgery that occurred early in her career. The 40-year-old actress, celebrated for her roles in Citadel and the upcoming romantic comedy Love Again, first detailed this experience in her 2024 memoir, Unfinished. In 2001, following medical advice, she underwent what was intended to be a straightforward procedure to remove a polyp from her nasal cavity. However, the operation took an unexpected and disastrous turn. "During the removal of the polyp, the surgeon inadvertently shaved off the bridge of my nose, causing it to collapse. When the bandages were removed and the state of my nose was revealed, my mother and I were horrified. My original nose was gone. My face looked entirely different. I no longer recognized myself," she recounted.
Dr. Mark Albert, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, describes this situation as exceptionally rare and peculiar. He emphasizes that the removal of a polyp (a non-cancerous growth of excess tissue) and rhinoplasty are two very different procedures. "A polyp is usually extracted from the mucosa of the airway. Typically, the skin is not lifted, and no changes are made to the nose's structure," he explains. "This procedure is usually performed by ENT specialists and generally does not alter the nose's shape or appearance," he adds. Dr. Ari Hoschander, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Rockville Centre, New York, agrees: "The removal of a polyp should not change the appearance of the nose," noting that he does not perform such surgeries.
The cause of Chopra's experience remains unclear, though Dr. Albert speculates that miscommunication might have played a role, particularly in how she described the incident. "Medical terminology and procedure explanations can be confusing, but it's highly unlikely that a surgeon removing a polyp would accidentally remove the bone or cartilage of the nose," he explains. This kind of complication is more likely in septoplasty or rhinoplasty, where excessive removal of septal cartilage or other structural components can cause the nose to collapse.
Dr. Hoschander points out that while polypectomy and rhinoplasty are separate procedures, they can be performed together. "It's probable that she requested a rhinoplasty during her polyp surgery. The doctor would not have altered the nose for just a polyp removal." He also notes that the collapse of her nose is extremely unusual. "Without standardized before and after pictures, it's hard to determine, but it's possible she had an over-resected septum, and the rhinoplasty could have triggered the collapse. She might also have had an over-resected dorsum."
Beyond the procedural details, Chopra recently revealed that the aftermath severely impacted her mental health. "It was a dark time. This incident happened, and my face looked completely different, leading me into a deep depression," she stated on The Howard Stern Show. She felt her altered appearance led to her being dropped from three films and mentioned that her condition worsened to the point where she avoided leaving her home.
Dr. Albert notes that such intense psychological trauma is not uncommon among patients seeking revision rhinoplasty due to dissatisfaction with previous surgery outcomes. "This process is extremely distressing for patients. High expectations for the first surgery, combined with the time needed for swelling and healing, can be very challenging," he remarks. "Depression and other psychological issues are common in this group. Psychiatric care is the best treatment for signs of depression after surgery, but surgical corrections to address specific nose issues can significantly improve a patient's overall well-being."
Ultimately, encouraged by her father, a doctor, Chopra underwent several reconstructive surgeries. Dr. Albert notes that these can be demanding. "The main concern in revision rhinoplasty is achieving a cosmetically ideal result. There is usually a significant amount of scar tissue, and the normal anatomy has been altered. It typically involves restoring the structural integrity of the nose," he explains.
Today, Chopra feels her nose has "returned to normal," and she has accepted her appearance. "It took years of seeing a stranger in the mirror, but I've grown accustomed to this face. Now, when I look in the mirror, I am no longer startled—I've come to terms with this slightly different me. This is my face. This is my body. I might have imperfections, but I am me."
