Do Madonna's tell-tale 'black eyes' reveal signs of a surgical reinvention?

But now the answer might just be apparent, after Madonna was seen with what looked like two black eyes - prompting renewed speculation that she has had a facelift.

The Queen of Pop, who turns 50 next year, was spotted hiding the black eyes beneath a pair of sunglasses as she left a medical building in New York last night.

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According to the Daily Star, one surgeon said the marks looked like the kind of bruising that can be caused by an operation on the eyes of nose.

Madonna has never admitted going under the knife and insists her looks are completely natural, attributing her firm wrinkle-free skin to her intense daily workouts and strict macrobiotic diet.

But staying at the top of the pop tree for over two decades requires intense dedication.

However, judging from recent pictures it's unclear why Madonna would opt for surgery when just last week she looked radiant on the red carpet at the New York premiere of husband Guy's film Revolver.

And in fact, it appears husband Guy Ritchie is responsible for her glowing look.

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According to friends, Madonna has started eating porridge for breakfast to get back her curves in an effort to please husband Guy.

She has relaxed her strict macrobiotic diet - eating grains supplemented by beans, nuts and vegetables - and added the breakfast staple, made with water or soya milk because husband Guy is said to prefer it when his wife looks "girly and feminine".

A source told Grazia magazine: "Guy much prefers his wife when she looks girly and feminine.

"He's not a fan of her more aggressive, super-toned and muscly look, which is why she has softened her image."

Friends say she is still following the macrobiotic diet, but since experimenting with porridge has found her skin has improved and it keeps her full for longer.

She has also been cutting back on the gym and weights in favour of Pilates in an attempt to make her arms look less sinewy.