NEED TO KNOW
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Karamo Brown opened up about chronic pain following a buccal fat removal procedure in 2021, which resulted in scar tissue and saliva buildup.
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He says he has undergone reconstructive surgery to restore his salivary glands and remove scar tissue, as well as lower blepharoplasty.
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Brown shares his story to help others suffering from chronic pain and regrets staying silent about his problems for years.
After years of speculation, Karamo Brown is finally ready to set the record straight about his plastic surgery.
In this week's PEOPLE magazine cover story, the 45-year-old former show contestant Queer Eye For the first time, she reveals how a buccal fat removal procedure performed in 2021 resulted in chronic pain due to the formation of scar tissue that obstructed saliva flow.
«"For years, people would say, 'Karamo had plastic surgery. He has so much filler in his face,'" Brown says. "And I'd say, 'You know what? I can't say anything because you can't argue with trolls.' But I was in pain for years, and no one knew.".
Brown says he decided to undergo the buccal fat removal procedure after gaining about 70 pounds (approximately 32 kg) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
«"I was a big guy, and everyone on the internet loved telling me how big I was," he says. "So I thought, 'Okay, maybe if I make my face thinner, I'll be cute.' That turned into a year and a half of agony.".
Karamo Brown at her home in Los Angeles for PEOPLE. Photo by Filicia J.L. Mann.
As saliva accumulated on each cheek, scar tissue also contributed to its hardening.
«"There were times when you'd see my smile, and it would be strained," he says. "My cheeks would be big because they were full of saliva, full of scar tissue. I was in terrible pain.".
Things became even more complicated for Brown when he launched his own daytime talk show on NBC in 2022 (which was canceled after four seasons in March).
«"I was filming six episodes a day, and sometimes during filming my mouth would get really dry and swollen," he says.
Karamo Brown in the first season of "Queer Eye"; Brown on his talk show. Photo: Netflix; Karamo Show/YouTube
During the second season of his show, he lost 70 pounds because he realized that "the more weight I lost, the less scar tissue showed.".
«"The scar tissue and saliva were still there, but since I was thinner, it looked more or less normal," he says. "I stopped eating because it made me feel better when the scar tissue was gone.".
During the filming of his talk show and program Queer Eye , which ended in January after 10 seasons, Brown struggled with his appearance.
«People will look at you differently and say nothing, but you will feel it,» he says. «It was as hurtful as how I perceived myself. I even remember one of my former colleagues at [ show "Queer Eye" »"] I was watching an old clip from the last season and I said, 'Oh, look how handsome he is. was "Before." I replied, "Okay, girl, I get your little hint, but never mind." Things like that get to you. They hurt your feelings.".
Karamo Brown in Season 1 of Queer Eye (Photo: Netflix)
Despite constant rumors, Brown remained silent about his plastic surgery because "I was ashamed that I had done it to myself. I would never do it now, but I couldn't live with chronic pain anymore. I couldn't live with a swollen mouth and not being able to speak.".
Brown recently underwent surgery to restore his salivary glands and remove scar tissue from his cheeks.
«"This doctor did an incredible job," he says of Dr. Karl Trousdale. "I'm so grateful because I was in pain every night and every day. It was terrible. Thanks to this doctor, I feel so much better. I smile more often, the drooling has stopped, and the scar tissue has disappeared. It's amazing.".
Karamo Brown with her dog, Izzy, at home in Los Angeles for PEOPLE. Photo by Filicia J.L. Mann.
During the reconstructive surgery, he also decided to have a lower blepharoplasty.
«"To be honest, I said, 'While we're in the red, can you get rid of my bags?' I'm 45!" he says. "He got rid of about 60% of my bags.".
Karamo Brown at her home in Los Angeles for PEOPLE. Photo by Filicia J.L. Mann.
Now Brown, who decided not to sue the doctor who performed his buccal fat removal surgery because "everyone told me it wouldn't work," is telling his story in hopes of helping others.
«"I know there are other people suffering from chronic pain," he says. "I was lucky to have the resources to find someone who could help me, but I want to tell people that you don't have to suffer alone. I wish I had told people what I was going through and allowed myself to just stay silent.".
To watch the full video, visit the PEOPLE app . Find more from Karamo Brown in the new issue of PEOPLE magazine, which goes on sale Friday.
Read the original article on People.