A man who has dubbed himself "the lizard man" after going through extreme body modifications has shared images of what he looked like beforehand.
Erik Sprague, a 50-year-old Texan, has spent over three decades transforming himself into "Lizard Man," a persona characterized by green tattoos and a surgically split tongue, per the Daily Mail.
Sprague has dedicated his life to turning his body into a living work of art, gaining significant attention on television and social media.
Sprague's professional life is deeply intertwined with his body modifications.
He has been in a relationship for 25 years and married for 21, having met his wife at one of his performances.
His partner, who also embraces body modification, has been a steadfast supporter throughout his journey.
Sprague recently joined Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond on ITV's This Morning to discuss his extraordinary journey.
Sprague's fascination with reptiles began with his childhood love for shows like Godzilla. "I became a fan of the way reptiles cross all cultures and history," he explained. "No matter where you go, there is either a tale of a lizard man or a reptilian."
In the 1990s, Sprague took a significant step in his transformation by undergoing a procedure to split his tongue.
"The doctor who did it wanted to use me as a guinea pig," he said. "At the time, he only charged me $600, which was the cost of the surgical theatre."
Check out what Sprague looked like before any body modifications:Despite the use of a local anesthetic, the process was grueling.
"I could taste and smell my own burning tongue as the laser went through it," he recalled, describing the severe swelling that left him unable to speak or eat normally for a week.
Sprague has also had his teeth filed down to points and five implants inserted across his forehead to create rigid bumps.
The forehead procedure, which took six hours and was performed without anesthesia, was particularly harrowing.
"It was the only time in my life that I vomited and hallucinated as a result of pain," he shared. "You have got to suffer for your art."
The transformation has brought Sprague not only a unique appearance but also a career. "In the mid-90s, I ended up joining the circus for a couple of years and then going solo," he said.
He has since hosted music tours for bands like Slipknot and performed at Fringe festivals around the world. "It has changed my life, it has given me the life that I lead, and I am very thankful for it."
However, being Lizard Man has its challenges. "Sometimes the negative comments can get to me," he admitted.
"If I think I can't meet the negativity with positivity, then I will want to stay home."
He also feels a pressure to have positive interactions with people who recognize him. "It's hard for me to remember everybody I meet, so it's on me to always have a good interaction."
Despite these difficulties, Sprague remains committed to his unique identity.
"This is my legacy now," he said. "In the body modification community, I have established this procedure and have helped move it forward."
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