TV host Karamo Brown is opening up about years of pain he says stemmed from a cosmetic procedure he got during the pandemic. In a new interview with People, the Queer Eye star said scar-tissue buildup from a buccal fat removal surgery blocked his saliva from draining properly — leaving his cheeks swollen and his mouth painfully dry.
“For years, people have been like, ‘Karamo’s had plastic surgery,’” he said. “I was suffering for years in pain, and no one knew.”
Brown said he gained 70 pounds during the pandemic and turned to the procedure after online comments about his weight. What he hoped would “slim out” his face instead led to a year and a half of discomfort. Filming his daytime talk show only made it worse. “My mouth would get so dry and it would be so swollen,” he said.
Brown said he stayed quiet to avoid engaging with trolls, but is now speaking out to warn others about the risks.
Recently, Brown underwent a procedure to fix his saliva glands and remove the scar tissue in his cheeks.
“This doctor did the most amazing work,” Brown told PEOPLE.com. “I’m so thankful because I was in pain every night, every day. It was horrendous. Thanks to this doctor, I feel so much better.”
Sources: Instagram.com, InStyle.com, Billboard U.K., People.com, Billboard.com, Music Business Worldwide.