A plastic surgery addict was left with a permanent erection after going under the knife for a nose job while starring in a Channel 4 documentary.

Croatian stylist Neven Ciganovic, 45, was being filmed by the documentary crew when a reaction to the anaesthetic he was given during surgery triggered the agonising condition.

He said: 'I was in Iran for rhinoplasty for the documentary film which is covering my life.'

Croatian stylist Neven Ciganovic, 45, has been left with a condition called priapism, which causes a permanent erection, after an unfortunate reaction to anaesthetic

Neven Ciganovic has spoken of his agony after his nose job surgery caused the painful and permanent erection

Filming only took place during consultation sessions with Ciganovic's doctor, not during the operation.

'[During the surgery] I was given general anesthesia and I reacted badly to it,' he said.

According to Ciganovic, it was during the surgery that he was diagnosed with priapism.

Priapism is an unwanted, long-lasting and extremely painful erection that is not linked to sexual desire.

If it is not treated within 24 hours, the penis can be permanently damaged, even leading to erectile dysfunction in some cases.

He believes the final nose operation to correct a wonky septum will catapult him to international stardom

The plastic surgery addict has more than a dozen procedures, including three nose jobs, and is covered in tattoos

The reality TV star recovered in a hospital in Serbian capital Belgrade, but said he was refused painkillers despite being in agony.

WHAT IS PRIAPISM? Priapism is a persistent and often painful erection that lasts for several hours. The erection is not necessarily related to sexual stimulation or excitement and does not subside after ejaculation. During this time, the shaft of the penis is rigid and inflexible, but the head of the penis is usually soft. The penis is also usually painful or tender. Ciganovic's case is not the first time anaesthetics have been linked to priapism, however the mechanism between anaesthetic and erections remains poorly understood. Cases studies have previously suggested propofol - of which an overdose killed the King of Pop Michael Jackson in 2009, to be a cause of priapism. Priapism is a medical emergency – you should seek immediate assistance if you think you have it. If it's not treated within 24 hours, your penis may be permanently damaged and you may have difficulties getting an erection in the future. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

He said during his stay there: 'I've resided in Belgrade hospital since Friday.

'Unfortunately, I did not receive analgesics because they do not give them to patients here, so I continue to suffer.

'I have to be at the hospital for a further five days.'

But Ciganovic said another operation has relieved him of his priapism, though he will not be back to normal for several months.

Ciganovic has had more than a dozen plastic surgery operations, including three on his nose and procedures on his lips, stomach and chin.

His body is covered with tattoos but he thinks the final nose operation – to correct a wonky septum - will be the one that improves his look enough to launch him into international stardom.

He said: 'I'm looking forward to a movie about myself.

'The film crew dedicated a whole episode about me. I think this is a big deal and I hope this is the start of my international career.'

While he spent some time in London filming, Ciganovic adopted the motto: 'Better to hate me for what I am than to love me for what I'm not.'

The fashion designer and stylist said he is now considering non-surgical treatments to improve his looks

Ciganovic had to go under the knife again to treat his permanent erection. He said he was in agony as a result of the condition

He has ignored criticism from people who have said he looked better before he embarked on his plastic surgery addiction

And he said he is considering more non-surgical treatments to improve his looks such as another 'vampire facelift' – where platelets are extracted from a patient's blood and then used as a skin filler.

He has shrugged off comments from critics who said his extensive surgeries have only worsened his looks. He said: 'I often hear from people that I looked better before surgery.

'It was a long time ago and I'm curious: Who wouldn't look better if they are 20 years younger?'