Human Ken Doll sees plastic surgery as an expression of his creativity (2024)

A man dubbed 'The Human Ken Doll' after going through more than 1,000 procedures in 20 years has insisted that body modification is a form of 'art' and that he's motivated by creativity rather than being unhappy with his looks.

Justin Jedlina, 40, from Los Angeles, had his first cosmetic procedure aged 17 and went on to spend an estimated $1million on further surgeries, priding himself on being the most modified man in the world.

Speaking to Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond on This Morning, he said he sees cosmetic surgery as an expression of his creativity.

He went on to say his procedures had gone on to help people who needed to have reconstructive surgery, and said he would never encourage people who didn't need cosmetic surgery to go under the knife.

Reflecting on his history of resorting to cosmetic procedures, Justin he only felt he has truly 'needed' his first ever tweak.

'When I was younger, I had a lot of anxiety surrounding my nose, I thought it was large and by age 14, I knew it was something I wanted to fix,' he said.

He went on to explain his idols, who include Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers and Dolly Parton, all 'overstylised' their looks as they became more famous.

He had to wait to be of legal age to have his first surgery, which was the first of five nose jobs.

'For me, most of what I had after my first nose job, was a "want" in my life,' he said.

'I knew I didn't need them. I never felt my body was less than or was dissatisfied with it.'

'It really for me was a quest in my artistry and creativity, and an expression of the thing I found beautiful, not necessarily what the Western World found beautiful.'

He went on to say he was heavily involved in preparing his surgeries and had pioneering surgeries, such as back implants, and designed some of the implants that were put in his body.

'I conceptualised those surgeries, I custom-designed those implants,' he said, adding he perceives himself as an 'innovator' and a 'guinea pig'.

He went on to say some of the cosmetic procedures have 'opened the door' for people to have reconstructive surgeries if they have birth defects or have been injured in accidents.

He admitted not all his procedures were '100% successful or 90% right,' but said:'When it comes to those procedures, there's always something I learned and educated myself.'

He said he disagreed with the statement that he was 'addicted' to plastic surgery, saying cosmetic surgery was already 'rampant' around the world.

'If we allow things to stay the same, there is no growth in that industry,' he said.

'It always takes someone to be the pioneer and be put out on the cross if you will,' he said.

Reflecting on his 'Human Ken Doll' moniker, Justin said he didn't particular feel concerned by the name.

'Idid a segment on 20:20, which is an investigative journalism show, and they called me the Human Ken Doll,' he said.

'I can't say I have disdain for the name but it does make me sound a bit superficial.

'My quest is one of perfection, i don't really feel that way, I love the process of body modification as in artistry,' he said.

Justin has his own cosmetic surgery consulting business, which he started after his rise to fame, and helps people find the right procedures for them.

He added that there have been times where clients have 'body dysmorphia,' and that he won't put them forward for surgery.

'I couldn't get them a referral or advice because no other plastic surgeon would work on those people, it's rare that that happens but it does exist,' he said.