New York, September 3 : Former Playboy model Holly Madison has said that living with Hugh Hefner brought down her self-esteem.

"Living with Hef brought down my self-esteem a lot," the New York Daily news quoted her as telling Life & Style.

The hottie added that she felt insecure in the presence of other playmates but plastic surgery helped her gain in confidence.

She said: "I was comparing myself to the other girls ... You have to look a certain way at the mansion.

"Plastic surgery made it easier for me to get things I wanted in my career. Without it, I wouldn''t be where I am today.

“My nose photographed really big in front of my face. If I wanted to do anything in the entertainment industry, I needed to get it fixed."

However, ‘The Girls Next Door’ star restrains from stretching it too far.

She added: "I''m scared of getting stuff (like Botox) put into my face. It makes you look like you have a rubber mask on.

“Beauty is truly on the inside. Looks don''t define you - they''re just a tool to get what you want." (ANI)