Katie Piper says she treats looking after her body as ‘a job’ as she reveals she’s ‘never discharged’ from ongoing treatment amid her acid attack

Katie Piper has revealed that she treats looking after her body as ‘a job’ during a candid chat about her health amid her ongoing acid attack treatment.

The presenter, 41, was just 24 in March 2008 when her ex Daniel Lynch, 47, plotted the vicious ambush that left her face severely burned and in need of 400 operations. 

She has come a long way since her trauma and has bravely rebuilt her life – now a campaigner for other victims, she has been awarded an OBE for charity and burns services. 

17 years on from the attack, Katie, who was also left blind in one eye, has told how she’s never fully ‘discharged’ from medical care as she has continued to have treatment and pioneering surgery to repair her damaged skin, face, throat and eyesight.   

Speaking in The Mirror’s health segment, the Loose Women star explained: ‘I learnt at such a young age the value of looking after your mind, your body, how our health is a privilege and how it can suddenly change.’

Amid her heartbreaking ordeal and continued treatment by health professionals, Katie has told how maintaining her physical and mental health is important to her as she knows what it is to be ‘incapacitated’.  

Katie Piper has revealed that she treats looking after her body as ‘a job’ during a candid chat about her health amid her ongoing acid attack treatment

The presenter, 41, was just 24 in March 2008 when her ex Daniel Lynch, 47, plotted the vicious ambush that left her face severely burned and in need of 400 operations [pictured in 2023]

She shared: ‘I’ve had this unique experience as a 20-something where I know what it is like to be incapacitated, to be ill, to be in hospital for a long time. I always take myself back to that memory of “Do all this now, so when you are older, your quality of life is the best it can be”. 

‘I want to be healthy. I take looking after my body as a job. I want the best from it.’

As well as keeping fit with running and lifting weights, Katie also notes that her gut health is just as important, having learnt this by spending much time on gastro wards during her recovery.

She added how the gut is ‘epicentre of everything’ and had learnt from eye and skin specialists throughout the years that those things can be affected by one’s diet and gut as they’re all ‘intrinsically linked.’

It comes after Katie shared a health update with her followers in January after undergoing surgery to protect her left eye. 

The campaigner revealed to her followers that she has decided to try a prosthetic eye shell following years of health struggles. 

Sharing the news on her social media, she said: ‘After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.’

‘This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me. As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness.’

17 years on from the attack, Katie has told how she’s never fully ‘discharged’ from medical care as she has continued to have treatment and pioneering surgery to repair the damage

‘I learnt at such a young age the value of looking after your mind, your body, how our health is a privilege and how it can suddenly change’

‘I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice…’ 

Alongside the caption, Katie attached an image and video from the hospital during her procedure, including footage of the doctor inserting the prosthetic eye.

Fans rushed to the comment section to share their words of encouragement. 

One user wrote: ‘You’re positivity after what happened to you is just so inspiring. You are amazing and the eye you have will be beautiful I’m sure of it and you’ll go on to inspire others.’ 

Whilst another added: ‘You are truly amazing. Your strength and resilience is just incredible and such an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing your journey because I’ve no doubt it’ll help so many others.’ 

Katie’s attacker Stefan Sylvestre, who was ordered to carry out the assault by her ex Daniel, is still on the run after fleeing the country following his prison release.

Daniel was jailed for life in 2009 for organising the act of ‘pure, calculated and deliberate evil’. 

He was sentenced to life at London’s Wood Green Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and GBH and admitting ABH. 

It comes after Katie shared a health update with her followers in January after undergoing surgery to protect her left eye 

The model and activist revealed to her followers that she has decided to try a prosthetic eye shell following years of health struggles

Sharing the news on her social media, she said: ‘After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell’ 

Last year, Katie opened up and revealed the ‘only thing’ that helped her confidence following the acid attack.

Speaking to Women’s Health UK she explained that during those years where her face was constantly changing through surgeries, her hair was the only thing she could control.

She revealed that her hair became her ‘armour’ and her ‘crown’ during her recovery.

Speaking to the publication, Katie explained: ‘My face was changing after I was burnt, and the only thing I had control of was my hair, and it became my crown.

‘My hair was the only way I could communicate and express to the world how I was feeling…My hair is my armour, my hair is my strength, my hair is my way of communicating with the public.

‘I found this whole new community in a world that I hadn’t felt a part of for a long time, in the beauty world.

‘I don’t want to sound superficial, but my hair is connected to my confidence – and it’s not in a frivolous or vanity way – but a good hair day gives me that sass to feel more assertive, more in control, to feel sexy, to feel pretty, and that’s okay.’