The man who spent more than $65,000 to look like a real-life Ken doll has been released from hospital, after being treated for an infection that had begun to eat away at his face.
Brazilian-born Rodrigo Alves was in Malaga, Spain, when he began suffering from necrosis – a life threatening condition that kills cells in the body. If left untreated, necrosis can spread to surrounding tissues and body parts.
The 32-year-old air steward, who lives in London, has reportedly had 42 operations in 15 years in his bid to become a living version of Barbie’s plastic boyfriend, Ken.
But his last surgery appears to have left him with some serious complications.
“I had nose reconstruction three months ago and it appears the new cartilage has been rejected by my body,” Alves told The Sun from his hospital bed.
“A horrible hole has appeared in my nostril and the infection is eating my nose and I’ve been warned if it is not stopped it could eat into my face. It’s very hot and dusty here and I wonder whether this might have set the infection off.”
Rodrigo was treated with intravenous antibiotics to fight the infection, but the tissue rot is irreversible. He will now have to have tissue transplanted to the area, and if that is rejected by his body, doctors may have to remove his nose.
Over the past 12 months, Alves has travelled to over 20 countries, including places like Iran and Beverly Hills, to have plastic surgery procedures done.
The British citizen, has been released from hospital after receiving treatment, and has thanked his fans for their support.
