A model, who suffered a complete loss of her lip in a pitbull attack, is on the path to recovery, emphasizing that beauty extends far beyond mere appearances.

A 24-year-old California model faced a life-altering incident when a relative’s pet pitbull severely injured her, causing the loss of her entire upper lip and damaging part of her nose in November 2020. Since then, Brooklin Khoury has undergone a series of facial surgeries totaling $400,000.

Despite the transformation in her appearance, Khoury expressed a profound shift in her perception of beauty, emphasizing that true beauty goes far beyond outward appearances. In an interview with “Good Morning America,” she reflected on the invaluable support from family and friends, guiding her to understand that beauty encompasses much more than meets the eye.

Even after more than three years since the attack, the Southern California native, also a professional skateboarder, has embraced self-love, transcending her physical appearance.

The vicious pitbull attack occurred just a day before Khoury was scheduled to film her debut TV commercial. Merely a month prior, she had featured in a Vogue spread celebrating female skateboarders.

Describing the harrowing event on November 3, 2020, Khoury recalled the dog’s relentless assault lasting about 30 seconds, likening the experience to being shaken like a toy.

It wasn’t until Khoury saw her reflection in the bathroom mirror that she realized the extent of the facial damage. She admitted feeling unrecognizable, resembling a “skeleton.”

Despite the severity of the injury, Khoury found a surgeon who meticulously reconstructed her upper lip using skin from her wrist and skillfully positioned it beneath her partially damaged nose. The surgeon, describing her case as an artistic endeavor, sculpted and reshaped the skin to restore her appearance.

Through a series of painful procedures, the surgeon also reconstructed Khoury’s nose, although more treatments, including tattooing for her new top lip, are still ahead. Despite this, she has embraced her changed appearance, gaining confidence in her own skin.

Sharing her journey on TikTok, Khoury has garnered over 1.1 million followers and openly discussed her transformation in body image. In a recent viral video, she expressed gratitude for life’s beauty, showcasing her resilience following the pitbull attack and subsequent surgeries.