Man splashes $24,000 on surgery in Turkey to get dates

An anxiety-ridden recluse who was afraid to speak to women has said he is now ‘fighting them off’ after spending almost $24,000 on cosmetic surgery to transform himself.

Marcello Cantu, 31, was so painfully shy in his younger years that he couldn’t even look at a member of the opposite sex without turning ‘bright red.’

The businessman, from Las Vegas, had a non-existent social life and was desperate to improve his confidence. 

So in a bid to turn things around, Marcello decided to change his appearance and flew over 7,000 miles to Turkey for extensive plastic surgery.   

Marcello has now undergone two hair transplants, two nose jobs, had his ears reduced and pinned back, and has had a fat transfer on his left eye. 

Marcello Cantu, 31, (pictured) has spent nearly $24,000 (£20,000) on cosmetic surgery in Turkey to build his confidence and self-esteem 

All of this work has apparently done wonders for his dating life, plus he has racked up a following of 97,500 on Instagram (@marcellocantu) . 

He explained: ‘I never went on dates in high school, my social life was non-existent.

‘When I got to Los Angeles at 25, I had my own place and a decent car which is a big thing there, so I noticed that women paid me more attention.

‘But things really started to change after I moved to Vegas in 2021.

‘I started to establish a presence online and became a high-value guy with money and status.’

Marcello, who now earns more than $120,000 (£100,000) a month, added: ‘I also had all this cosmetic surgery around this time because I wanted to be somebody different and thought changing my outside appearance would do that.

‘Once I did all those things women started throwing themselves at me – I’m literally fighting them off.’

Although he was gaining more attention as his business grew and he portrayed an active lifestyle online, it wasn’t until he had surgery that the women really started to take notice of him. 

Marcello, pictured here before surgery with his aunt, explained how he was painfully shy and too afraid to speak to the opposite sex as a young man

Marcello, pictured here before surgery with his aunt, explained how he was painfully shy and too afraid to speak to the opposite sex as a young man 

Since having surgery Marcello claims that women throw themselves at him. He is pictured here with a woman he dated

Since having surgery Marcello claims that women throw themselves at him. He is pictured here with a woman he dated 

Before surgery

After surgery

Marcello has now undergone two hair transplants, two nose jobs, had his ears reduced and pinned back, and has had a fat transfer on his left eye

He said: ‘It was a night and day difference when I had the surgery; the women went from 7s and 8s to 9s and upwards.’  

Marcello, who made his fortune in crypto and e-commerce, travelled to Turkey towards the end of 2021 to have all the procedures in one go.

It cost him $24,000 USD (approximately £19,800) and after a three-month recovery period, he was determined to look and feel his best.

In addition to altering his appearance with surgery, Marcello, who is originally from Dallas, Texas, signed up at the gym and began eating a high-protein diet to bulk up his naturally, skinny frame.

Before his surgery Marcello had a non-existent social life and was desperate to improve his confidence

Before his surgery Marcello had a non-existent social life and was desperate to improve his confidence

Marcello is pictured here, far right, with some friends in 2014 before he had surgery when he was afraid to speak to women

Marcello is pictured here, far right, with some friends in 2014 before he had surgery when he was afraid to speak to women

His radical transformation was so extreme that when he went to renew his passport he received a call from the Department of State asking if he had sent the right photo.

He explained: ‘When I went to the passport agency in San Diego to expedite it they said there was a problem because I looked different.

‘They said “we thought you were an imposter because of all the surgery.”

‘I was able to show them all my before and after photos which really helped me out because I got my passport that day.’

Marcello, who made his fortune in crypto and e-commerce, travelled to Turkey towards the end of 2021 to have all the procedures in one go

Marcello, who made his fortune in crypto and e-commerce, travelled to Turkey towards the end of 2021 to have all the procedures in one go

Marcello in hospital after surgery

He had two hair transplants

The businessman travelled to Turkey for his surgery, which transformed his appearance and built his confidence 

It cost him $24,000 USD (approximately £19,800) and after a three-month recovery period, he was determined to look and feel his best. He is pictured here during his recovery

It cost him $24,000 USD (approximately £19,800) and after a three-month recovery period, he was determined to look and feel his best. He is pictured here during his recovery

However, despite receiving much attention since his operations, Marcello is adamant that he is under no illusion and says that many of the women he dates are only after ‘me for my money.’  

But he isn’t phased by this and still takes ‘them on nice dates and travels.’

He added: ‘It’s just having that status. If you are good-looking, have status and social media and are a respectful nice guy – you make the top 1 per cent of income – you have got it made.

‘I’m just determined to enjoy my life and make the most of the opportunities that are put in front of me.’

Marcello's old passport

His new passport

His radical transformation was so extreme that when he went to renew his passport he received a call from the Department of State asking if he had sent the right photo

Marcello, who is originally from Dallas, Texas , signed up at the gym and began eating a high-protein diet to bulk up his naturally, skinny frame after he had the surgery. He is pictured here with a woman he dated

Marcello, who is originally from Dallas, Texas , signed up at the gym and began eating a high-protein diet to bulk up his naturally, skinny frame after he had the surgery. He is pictured here with a woman he dated 

All of this work has apparently done wonders for his dating life, plus he has racked up a following of 97,500 on Instagram

All of this work has apparently done wonders for his dating life, plus he has racked up a following of 97,500 on Instagram 

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