Every now and then, you might come across stories of individuals who choose to undergo plastic surgery. It’s common for some to seek changes to their noses, lips, or even enhance certain features for an added glow. However, one story surpasses all others in its uniqueness.
Meet Jessica Alves, once known as Rodrigo Alves. Jessica didn’t just stop at a couple of cosmetic tweaks; she embarked on a transformative journey, often likened to becoming a real-life human Barbie doll.
It’s perfectly okay to desire some changes in one’s appearance. However, regardless of the path you choose, always remember that you possess beauty and the potential to achieve greatness, regardless of outside opinions.
For some, plastic surgery is a means to achieve the transformation they seek. Jessica Alves took this a bit further by completely reimagining her look.
Jessica Alves – Transition Journey
Jessica’s story begins in early 2020. In an interview with The Mirror, Jessica, who was born Rodrigo, declared her truth as a transgender woman.
“I’m known as Ken but inside I’ve always felt like Barbie,” the then 36-year-old expressed. “I finally feel like the real me. Glamorous, beautiful, and feminine.”
From that moment, she embraced her new identity and pronouns, going by Roddy and adopting “she” and “her” pronouns.
Embracing Her Identity
Jessica embarked on her transformation, starting with hormone injections that helped her develop feminine curves. Blonde hair extensions, fake eyelashes, and a well-fitted D-cup bra followed. By July, she officially embraced the name Jessica.
“For years I tried to live my life as a man. I even had a fake six-pack and muscle implants in my arms, but I was lying to myself,” she shared. “I’ve always had a feminine mind. Now, my body finally matches my mind.”
Jessica has graced shows like Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 and even ventured into music, releasing a song titled Plastic World with Italian surgeon Giacomo Urtis. Her transition and life updates are shared with her 1 million Instagram followers, a stark contrast to her previous career as a flight attendant.
So how did she arrive at this point? Jessica, born Rodrigo Alves, was introduced into the world on July 30th, 1983, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Raised by a Brazilian mother and British father, young Jessica was gifted dolls by her grandfather. He allowed her the freedom to express herself in any way she desired, a formative factor in her journey.
A Unique Childhood
While many argue it’s ideal for children not to conform to societal norms and instead embrace what feels right, this sentiment was central to Jessica’s childhood. It was here that she nurtured her passion for dolls, an interest that would eventually come to shape her public persona.
“Growing up, I enjoyed playing with dolls and wearing my mum’s dresses and heels,” she recollects, confessing that her teenage years were filled with self-consciousness about her appearance.
“I loved to laugh, but it made my nose look wide, which bothered me greatly. My relatives often questioned whose genes I inherited that ‘unpleasant’ feature from, prompting me to address it first.”
Jessica relocated to London for her studies at the London School of Economics. It was in 2004 that she pursued her first plastic surgery. This procedure marked the start of an ongoing journey to modify her look, one that soon became habitual.
“I was never entirely satisfied after a procedure, and to this day, there’s still more I want done,” Jessica admits.
The Many Surgeries
Fast forward to today, and Jessica has undergone over a hundred surgeries.
Among these were nose jobs, Botox and fillers, pec implants, liposuction targeting her jaws and legs, a hair transplant, calf sculpting, fake six-pack enhancements, arm fillers, rib removal, and a ‘cat-eye’ lift.
Jessica has spent over half a million dollars on these procedures. Her extensive transformations left her unrecognizable to schoolmates. It became evident that she was dealing with morphodysphoria, a condition where an individual perceives their body inaccurately.
Initially, as Rodrigo, Jessica aspired to become a male Ken doll.
But now, she strives to embody the Human Barbie persona.
Jessica’s quest for the ideal body has not been without hazards. In April 2016, she encountered a significant health scare when her skin began to die due to necrosis.
This resulted in a visible hole coupled with a detached septum. Her breathing difficulties took her to a hospital in Malaga, Spain, where she required antibiotics via an IV drip every eight hours, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The Challenges Faced
Doctors cautioned that the infection could penetrate deeper, causing her face to become gangrenous.
“I can’t breathe through my nose, and I feel awful. It’s collapsed. I’ve scheduled a consultation in London six weeks from now, and I’m hoping for surgery soon after,” Jessica disclosed.
Jessica faced the dire situation of another procedure: a chemical peel treatment. This involved applying an acidic lotion to her face in Spain, reported by the Daily Mail. The intention was to allow the old skin to peel away, giving rise to fresh layers beneath.
Though not entirely free of discomfort, “The experience was quite painful, and my face appeared red. It felt comparable to a burning sensation. Here in Marbella, it’s very sunny, so isolating myself indoors for a few days was necessary,” she remarked.
From Rodrigo to Jessica Alves
After overcoming these hurdles, Jessica encountered complications with her nose following her 11th rhinoplasty in 2019. The transformation left it collapsing, rather than rectifying a previous Botox mishap.
“The outcome was initially promising, but I now face yet another operation because it’s starting to sink. To be honest, I’m fearful,” Jessica confided to the Daily Mail.
“Every surgery becomes riskier than the last, and I’m afraid surgeons might eventually fail to mend my nose permanently.”
Going through this remarkable journey, Jessica has amassed recognition globally due to her distinctive look. While people’s opinions may vary, what truly matters is Jessica finding comfort and joy in her skin.
Previously mentioned, Jessica’s understanding of her female inclinations became apparent at a photoshoot last year, leading to her deciding on transition.
Ongoing Transformation
“Within a month, I was diagnosed with gender dysmorphic disorder and offered the opportunity to begin on the correct medication to transition,” she shared with the NY Post. “Before, people looked at me because I seemed androgynous and odd for a man. Now, I hope they’re looking because they perceive me as a beautiful woman.”
Jessica wasn’t idle. She underwent the removal of her Adam’s apple and six-pack, with a breast enlargement and injections in her knees, hips, and feet all amounting to about $35,000.
The transition also included facial feminization surgery and hormone therapy.
In July, appearing on the show This Morning, she expressed her plans for further procedures.
“I’m still in need of a couple more surgeries to wrap up my transition. Then, finally, I swear, I’ll be done with plastic surgery,” she assured. “One can only undergo so much. Yes, it’s daunting each time, but necessary for me to become the person I truly am.”
Approaching its end, Jessica, now 41, requires a penile inversion and testicle removal to finalize her gender transition.
‘I adore everything that accompanies it – visiting chic salons for my hair, nails, brows, and lashes. Shopping for dresses, towering heels, and sultry lingerie,’ Jessica, who now resides in London, wittily remarks.
Another Nose Surgery
Jessica’s embarked on multiple rhinoplasty procedures across Brazil, Colombia, Iran, America, and Istanbul. Recently, she’s been grappling with nasal breathing issues, prompting yet another nose surgery.
Countless surgeons declined, puzzled by the appropriate approach. Fortunately, a doctor in Istanbul succeeded by sourcing cartilage from her ear. Now, her ability to breathe has improved significantly.
Her Instagram platform showcases the phase transitions of her life, allowing followers to stay updated.
Despite the trials faced, she emerges from it all radiantly content. After all, in the end, happiness is key!
Latest Developments and Future Plans
Fast forwarding to 2024, Jessica’s zest for altering her appearance seems unwavering.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the 41-year-old exited a Turkish hospital in October, swathed in bandages following her fifth facelift. Explaining her decision, Jessica mentioned that dissolving past dermal fillers resulted in around four inches of extra skin. This led to her “ponytail facelift,” a minor procedure utilizing staples along the hairline to tauten skin on the face and neck.
Spotted leaving the facility in a wheelchair and headscarf, aided by others into a waiting vehicle, photos documenting the event rapidly went viral thanks to their striking nature.
“If I pinched my skin, three to four inches could easily come off – it was elastic, like rubber, allowing the doctor to excise five inches,” Jessica, now 41, elucidated.
