Daisy Kelliher has built her brand on candor—no filters, no body-tuning apps and no pretending to be anything other than exactly who she is. So when the Below Deck star decided to undergo rhinoplasty, she approached it the same way she approaches everything else: with honesty and intention. Though she says she’d considered refining her nose “for as long as I can remember,” the decision wasn’t rooted in insecurity or obsession. Instead, it was about timing, confidence and feeling mentally, emotionally and financially ready. From choosing transparency over secrecy to navigating swelling (and crediting a pre-op salmon sperm facial for minimal bruising), Kelliher opens up about why the moment felt right—and why she has zero regrets.
What made you decide to get a rhinoplasty and how long had you been thinking about it?
“I have wanted rhinoplasty for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t something I was obsessed with…I didn’t mind my nose, I just didn’t particularly like it and the timing was right so I decided to go for it. Often, when you make a change like this you wish you did it sooner and it’s hard not to think like that but it’s all about timing—you need to be mentally prepared, have the finances and be sure in your decision. So even though I have thought about it for a really long time, the timing was right now. I didn’t have the best nose—yes, it wasn’t the worst—but I didn’t like it, and once I had made the decision I just knew it was the right thing for me.
I am a big advocate for doing things that make you feel good. We are only here for one lifetime, so we should make the most of it. And I have no doubt that this decision will make me happier and more confident. The planning was relatively short—only a few months. Once I make a decision I go for it. I would have done it sooner it was just too difficult with my schedule!”
Not everyone is transparent about aesthetic surgery, what made you decide to be?
“I honestly hadn’t decided. Going into the surgery, my initial plan was if someone asked me, I would be honest…but didn’t feel I owed anyone the information just because I am a public figure. But the day after the surgery, I was thinking about it and I thought: ‘I feel no shame around this and I am excited.’ I thought it was easier to get ahead of it than behind it.
I spoke to my manager, and we decided it was the right decision. I have built my brand on being authentic, I do reality T.V., I use no filters or body-tuning apps, I’ve shared about my sister’s accident and my egg-freezing journey, so it only felt like it was what I owed my audience and made sense. I knew everyone would be really interested and supportive, I just wanted the decision to be mine and not feel pressured just because I am in the public eye. I definitely made the right decision.”
Can you share your experience leading up to the surgery?
“I was so busy coming up to it, so I wasn’t really feeling anything. I think the thing I was most nervous about was that I had not met my doctor or seen the hospital. I was also very nervous as it’s my face, but I was also excited and keen to get it over and done with so I could start my healing journey. But, mostly I was too busy to even think about it!”
How is your recovery is going?
“It’s going so well, the hospital was so great. The day after my surgery, I had quite a bit of pain, definitely my worst day; I should have asked for more pain meds sooner. But since then, it has been a breeze! I think I am one of the lucky ones. I have had quite a lot of swelling, but virtually no bruising. I got polyneuctides—salmon sperm facial—in my eye area two weeks before my surgery and I think that has helped so much!
Now, I am on day-five post-op and the swelling has gone down so much. There’s just a bit in my cheeks and zero pain or discomfort. It’s been a breeze compared to my breast augmentation. I am super excited to get the cast off and to see the results!”
