Karamo Brown, who has been subjected to significant rumors about undergoing plastic surgery, is finally opening up about his journey and the pain he endured over the years due to a botched procedure. He shared that after gaining about 70 pounds during the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to undergo surgery in 2021 to remove his buccal fat, which left him with severe pain after scar tissue prevented saliva from draining properly.

During a conversation with People, Karamo Brown stated, “For years, people have been like, ‘Karamo’s had plastic surgery. He has so much filler in his face,'” further adding, “I was like, ‘You know what? I can’t say anything because you can’t get into fights with the trolls.’ But I was suffering for years in pain, and no one knew.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The popular show host remembered being trolled online because of “how much of a big boy” he was. It was then he chose to get the procedure, hoping he would start looking “cute,” but it left him in significant pain for a year-and-a-half. He explained that at times his smile would be “tight” and his cheeks would become swollen due to a buildup of saliva and scar tissue.

“I was in the worst pain,” he shared. However, things turned all the more complicated after he started his daytime talk show on NBC in 2022. Brown elucidated that he would shoot for six episodes per day, and at times his mouth would get dry while shooting for the show, and it would be swollen.

He continued by recalling losing 70 pounds during the second season, the time when he realized that the more weight he lost, the less noticeable the scar tissue became. He stated that he “stopped eating” because it helped ease the discomfort associated with the scar tissue.

However, Brown continued struggling with his appearance during the shoot of his talk show, Queer Show. He mentioned, “People around will look at you differently, and they don’t say anything, but you feel it.” The 45-year-old stated such remarks were just as painful as his own struggles with self-image.

Recalling an incident involving a former Queer Eye castmate, he said a comment comparing his past appearance to his current one felt like a subtle jab. He added that remarks like those can take an emotional toll and leave a lasting impact.

Amid constant chatter around his cosmetic procedures, Brown remained tight-lipped because he states that he “felt embarrassed” about what he did to himself. He declared that he would never do it again and that he could no longer cope with the chronic pain, recurring swelling in his mouth, and difficulty speaking.

Finally, Brown underwent surgery to treat his salivary glands and eliminate the scar tissue in his cheeks. He heaped praises on his cosmetic expert, Dr. Carl Truesdale, for the “most amazing work.” He thanked the doctor for the treatment, saying he felt much better afterward and could smile more comfortably. During the reconstructive surgery, he also chose to undergo a lower blepharoplasty procedure.

On a concluding note, Brown encouraged others with chronic pain to seek support and speak openly.