Sam Smith Opens Up About Liposuction at 13 After Being Teased
Sam Smith revisits a difficult period in their youth when they underwent liposuction at age 13 due to relentless teasing at school. The singer described experiences like swimming and changing in the locker room as "hell."
Early Struggles and Surgery
Smith revealed on Penn Badgley's Podcrushed podcast that they had surgery on their chest at 13 because of a developing chest. The main reason for this decision was the severe teasing that made everyday activities unbearable.
"I had surgery on my chest when I was 13 years old, because I had a growing chest. There were all sorts of reasons why, but mainly, I was just getting so teased, I couldn't go swimming in school, and I couldn't — like, getting changed in the locker room was hell. So I got liposuction when I was 13 years old."
Support and Challenges
Smith’s parents were very supportive, recognizing how much the situation was impacting their child. Reflecting on the experience, Smith described it as both effective and traumatic.
"My parents were hugely supportive of the whole thing, because they just saw how much it was crippling everything about me."
Specifically, Smith recalled ongoing struggles with food and discomfort during recovery. The bandage required after the liposuction added to their distress.
"The liposuction, it worked, but it was also a nightmare because they gave me a bandage."
This bandage, worn around their healing torso, ultimately made the whole experience more difficult.
Author’s Summary
Sam Smith’s early liposuction journey reveals the deep emotional pain caused by bullying and the complex challenges of childhood body image struggles.