T.I.'s wife Tameka 'tiny' Cottle has defended her decision to undergo a controversial cosmetic surgery to change the colour of her eyes, insisting it is her "right" to do whatever she likes with her body.

The former Xscape singer travelled to Africa earlier this month (Oct14) to permanently lighten the brown pigmentation of her irises with a medical grade silicone as the operation is banned in her native U.S., and she insists she is delighted with the "ice grey" results.

Explaining the process, she says, "They go into the eye and they make a little slit. They take this implant and it's folded up, they open it and they spread it over the eye...

"They told me that the procedure would be quick, five, 10 minutes an eye. They woke me up, and it's very blurry and then it just kinda (sic), fades in. I looked in the mirror and I was like, 'They're amazing. I love them.'"

Cottle admits her rapper husband thought she was crazy when she first discussed the idea with him, but he is now supportive of her decision.

She tells ABC News, "He loves them. He's Ok with it as long as they (her eyes) are healthy and I'm not having any problems."

And the 39 year old reveals she is paying no attention to critics, who have accused her of setting a bad example for young girls.

The defiant star says, "I just wanted to do something different and I have the right to do that. It's my body."

Medics warn the surgery can result in loss of sight, glaucoma, cataract and corneal problems as there is no long-term study of the effects of the operation.