Katie Piper has taken to social media to plead with fans after being hospitalised earlier this week.
On Thursday, the Loose Women star revealed that she had undergone surgery on her left eye.
The planned procedure was a Tarsorrhaphy, which works to join part or all of the upper and lower eyelids to thus completely close the eye.
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As per the National Institutes of Health, the surgery can either help the corneal to heal or protect it temporarily.
Katie, 40, revealed that as well as the planned Tarsorrhaphy she also has scar tissue operated on under her right eye.
The surgery comes as part of her horrific acid attack recovery, which took place in March 2008, and left her with major damage to her face and blindness in one eye.
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Taking to social media to announce the news, Katie posted a carousel of images.
One snap featured the 40-year-old in a hospital gown and her left eye could be seen sown up.
After sharing the photographs with her 1.1 million Instagram followers, the ITV star said she wanted her fans to recognise that sometimes ‘things go backwards’.
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In the post’s caption, she wrote: “There isn’t really an end point and part of this kind of recovery is acceptance of that.
“Secondly with a disfigurement surgical decisions have to be based around function not aesthetics. In my case I am trying to preserve the eye, avoid perforation and loosing my eye completely.”
The mum-of-two continued: “Also just because something is on view permanently it doesn’t give people the right to constantly comment on your appearance- you never know what’s going on in someone’s life.”
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She went on to claim that operations have taken her back to ‘memories of how this all started’, which are ‘mentally hard’ to deal with.
However, Katie also stated that she feels ‘incredibly lucky’ to have such an ‘intelligent and interesting’ following.
Touching on trolling, she said: “But for the few that will send (sic) messages or leave negative comments (I’ve heard them all before, nothing new) then this explanation/ education is for you.
“I’m still the same person. I’ve just had different path in life to most and that’s ok.
“For most part I live a fulfilling, privileged and very happy life. For that I’m extremely grateful for.”
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Concluding her heartfelt sentiment, Katie pleaded with her fans and asked them to keep the negativity to a minimum whilst she recovers from eye surgery.
She wrote: “But as I recover I’m asking that you please don’t troll me.”
Following the post, fans and famous faces alike have come out to pledge their support to the presenter.
Former BBC Apprentice winner Luisa Zissman wrote: “This post made me sad you have to (sic) ask not to be trolled. This is the world we live in.
“All I see is a brave, fierce, strong woman. Wishing you a smooth recovery my love.”
Fashion influencer Lydia Millen commented: “You are just the most incredible woman I’ve ever met and followed.
“Your ability to share so openly and yet speak only from a place of wanting to help others despite finding it difficult too sometimes is nothing short of spectacular. Sending you the biggest hug.”
“You are such an inspiration and the strength you have is unparalleled,” wrote Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown.
Topics: Celebrity, ITV, Loose Women, Instagram, Social media, Health, Mental Health
Ella Scott