In the new issue of In Touch, Vanderpump Rules star Kristen Doute opens up about the freak accident that occurred in late October, which left her in need of facial reconstructive surgery.

“The pain was excruciating,” Kristen, 32, who tripped as she was getting out of a car and smacked her face on the bumper, tells the mag. “I was unable to open my eye or chew, so I went to the hospital.”

“I was petrified,” Kristen reveals of first seeing her face after the accident. Doctors discovered she had fractures to her eye socket, cheekbones and the front of her face. Without repair, she would have severe facial asymmetry.

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“A week later I went to Dr. John Layke and his partner Dr. Payman Danielpour at the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group,” Kristen says, adding, “The fractures were reduced and plated with several titanium plates.”

The reality star shares exclusive photos of her new face post-surgery in the new issue of In Touch.

Bedridden Kristen’s new beau, Brian Carter, 31, never left her side as she recovered, and co-stars Scheana Marie, 30, and Stassi Schroeder, 27, visited.

“When times get tough you really find out who loves you,” Kristen reveals, adding the incident has taught her an important lesson: “To pay more attention!”

For more on all of your favorite reality stars, pick up the latest issue of In Touch , on newsstands now!