A man from England has spent over $46,000 on plastic surgery to look like an Instagram filter. Dale-Saint Cullen, 31, from Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, had his first surgery in 2019. Since then, he has continued to change his appearance. Now, he admits he is addicted to chasing a perfect look.
Struggles With Self-Image and the Influence of Social Media
Dale had always been insecure about his looks. His weight and receding hairline made him feel uncomfortable. But it wasn’t a big issue until social media took over. He started comparing himself to online influencers. Their perfect faces made him want to change his own. He decided to get surgery to achieve the look he saw on Instagram filters.
Traveling the World for Plastic Surgery Procedures
Dale has traveled thousands of miles for cosmetic procedures. He went to Poland and Turkey for surgeries. Over time, he had a chin implant, liposuction, jaw reconstruction, a hair transplant, teeth crowning, and full body contouring. He took 10 trips abroad and spent $3,900 just on flights. Each procedure brought him closer to his dream look, but he kept wanting more.
No Regrets About Surgery but Concerned About Social Media Pressure
Dale says he loves his new look. He has no regrets about the surgeries themselves. But he now sees how social media made him chase an unrealistic goal. In 2022, doctors diagnosed him with body dysmorphia. That made him realize he would never feel satisfied. Now, he warns others about the dangers of social media pressure. He wants people to think carefully before making drastic changes like using Instagram filters.
Showing Filtered Photos to Surgeons for the Perfect Look
Dale always showed doctors edited photos from Instagram. He wanted to look exactly like those filtered images. He felt trapped in a cycle of wanting more and more work done. Every time he had surgery, he found something else to fix. He wanted fuller lips, a sharper jawline, and perfect teeth. But after getting them all, he realized they didn’t look the same in real life.
The First Surgery That Started It All
Dale’s journey started with a simple goal. He just wanted to change his nose. In November 2019, he booked a $14 flight to Poland. There, he paid $5,500 for a rhinoplasty. He did little research beforehand. He was nervous since it was his first time under general anesthesia. But after the procedure, he loved the results. That first surgery made him want more to look like his Instagram filter.
Developing an Addiction to Surgery and More Procedures
After his nose job, Dale wanted to fix more features. He decided to get work done on his chin, teeth, and jaw. Between 2020 and 2024, he took over 10 trips to Turkey. He underwent multiple surgeries, spending $18,469 just on his face. Every time he went under the knife, he felt excited. He loved the feeling of waking up with a new look. He kept searching for ways to improve himself.
The Most Expensive and Life-Changing Surgeries
Dale’s biggest procedures were full body contouring and 360 Vaser liposuction. These surgeries cost $9,070. He also had a hair transplant that took eight hours over two sessions. That procedure cost him $5,573. These treatments changed his body completely. He felt happy with the results, but the recovery was difficult.
A Painful Recovery After a Major Hair Transplant Surgery
Dale’s hair transplant was his toughest surgery. He had been through many procedures before, so he wasn’t scared. But after waking up, he collapsed. He felt dizzy and weak and had to be wheeled into another room for more treatment. He stayed in Turkey for 10 nights to recover. His journey back to the UK was painful. Even after the pain, he still felt the need for more surgeries.
Learning a Hard Lesson and Seeking Therapy for Self-Acceptance
Dale eventually realized he would never reach true perfection. He spent too much time and money chasing an impossible goal of looking like an Instagram filter. Now he wants others to think carefully before getting plastic surgery. He doesn’t want anyone to fall into the same trap.
Even after therapy, Dale still struggles with his appearance. He still feels insecure. He admits that he still gets the urge to book another flight to Turkey. Even though he knows the dangers, he isn’t sure if he will ever stop wanting more.
His Final Advice to Others Considering Cosmetic Surgery
Dale has an important message. He tells others to do their research before getting plastic surgery. He regrets that he did it because of social media pressure. Now, he wants to make sure every decision he makes is for himself, not for an online image.
Full List of Dale’s Plastic Surgeries and Their Costs
- Open Rhinoplasty – $5,500
- Closed Rhinoplasty – $2,787
- Teeth Crowning – $7,800
- Forehead Rejuvenation/Brow Lift – $4,150
- Hair Transplant – $5,573
- Chin Reconstruction – $6,500
- Zygomatic Remodeling – $2,500
- Lip Augmentation – $2,600
- Body Contouring & Vaser Liposuction – $9,070
Total Spent: $46,335
