Former “Queer Eye” star Karamo Brown has been a public determine for over 20 years. In more moderen years, the media persona has been tormented by cosmetic surgery rumors. Now, months after the hit Netflix sequence ended, he’s opening up, revealing persistent ache and an array of different points stemming from a buccal fats elimination process.
Brown interviewed with PEOPLE in June 2026. In the course of the dialogue, the years-long rumors of utmost cosmetic surgery got here up, with the previous “Queer Eye” star not solely confirming that he’d had work performed, but in addition revealing the key ache he confronted from having buccal fats eliminated.
He started, “For years, folks have been like, ‘Karamo’s had cosmetic surgery. He has a lot filler in his face.’ I used to be like, ‘You recognize what? I can’t say something as a result of you may’t get into fights with the trolls.’ However I used to be struggling for years in ache, and nobody knew.”
Relating to his motivation for the process, Brown said that he’d gained round 70 kilos through the 2020 pandemic. He felt that he’d look higher if his face might be slimmer. Nevertheless, as a substitute, “It became a year-and-a-half of ache.”
Brown Skilled Problems With The Process

After having the buccal fats elimination performed, Brown skilled issues with scar tissue in addition to a buildup of saliva. In keeping with the 45-year-old, “There’d be instances you’d see me smile, and it was tight. My cheeks could be huge as a result of they had been filled with saliva, filled with scar tissue. I used to be within the worst ache.”
After that, Brown landed a syndicated daytime speak present in 2022. Sadly, his process made filming the sequence more difficult. He shared, “I might shoot six episodes a day, and there’d be instances after I was filming my present that my mouth would get so dry and it will be so swollen.”
In taking issues into his personal fingers, Brown misplaced 70 kilos through the present’s second season, stating, “the extra weight I misplaced, the much less scar tissue you can see.”
He added, “The scar tissue and the saliva had been nonetheless there, however as a result of I used to be skinnier, it appeared type of regular. I finished consuming as a result of it helped the sensation of not having a lot scar tissue.” Moreover, Brown revealed that his “Queer Eye” costars made snide remarks about his altering look.
In keeping with him, “Folks round will take a look at you in a different way, and so they don’t say something, however you’re feeling it. That was equally as hurtful as how I noticed myself. I even keep in mind one in all my former [Queer Eye] castmates was watching an previous clip through the ultimate season, and he was like, ‘Oh, look how good-looking he used to be.’”
Brown continued, “I used to be like, ‘Okay, lady, I caught your little dig, however no matter.’ These kinds of issues have an effect on you. They damage your emotions.”
The ‘Queer Eye’ Alum Has Since Had A Comply with Up Process

Credit score: ROMA / MEGA
Brown continued sharing emotional particulars of his well being journey by confirming that he’s fastened the earlier botched surgical procedure. Relating to what led to the choice, he defined, “I felt embarrassed that I did this to myself. I might by no means do it now, however I couldn’t stay with the persistent ache anymore. I couldn’t stay with my mouth swelling up and never having the ability to speak.”
In discussing the expertise with the more moderen process, he said, “This physician did essentially the most superb work. I’m so grateful as a result of I used to be in ache each evening, day-after-day. It was horrendous. Due to this physician, I really feel so significantly better. I’m smiling higher, there’s not saliva accumulating, the scar tissue’s gone. It’s good.”
Brown additionally shared that he underwent a blepharoplasty throughout the identical session. He candidly shared, “To be actually clear with y’all, I used to be like, ‘Whereas we underneath, are you able to do away with my luggage?’ I’m 45! He removed like 60% of my luggage.”
Karamo Brown Went Via A Breakup In 2025

Brown started courting photographer Carlos Medel in 2021, following the top of his engagement to director Ian Jordan in September 2020. Nevertheless, in accordance with US Weekly, he and Medel broke up in February 2025, with the photographer confirming the break up on social media.
Then, towards the top of the yr, Brown appeared on “Watch What Happens Live” and confirmed that he was single earlier than playfully flirting with host Andy Cohen.
Brown’s Speak Present Is Coming To An Finish

Brown launched his daytime speak present, “Karamo,” in 2022. Nevertheless, in accordance with Variety, NBCUniversal opted to not renew it and a number of different first-run syndication speak reveals. Among the others embody “The Steve Wilkos Present” and “Entry Hollywood.”
“Karamo” will proceed airing new episodes via the summer season.
