In 2021, Karamo Brown, the 6ft 2in reality star,opted for a buccal fat removal after gaining 70lbs during the pandemic. He said online critics calling him a "big boy" pushed him to the clinic, but the surgery backfired, leaving chronic pain and speech issues from scar tissue blocking his salivary glands.

70‑Pound Pandemic Gain Prompted a 2021 Cosmetic Fix

According to People, Brown’s weight gain of 70lbs during COVID‑19 prompted the decision to remove cheek fat. The procedure, popularized that year by Chrissy Teigen and Anya Taylor‑Joy, aimed to give him a more chiseled profile.

Scar Tissue and Speech Problems: The Unintended Consequences

The People interview revealed that the buccal fat removal led to chronic pain and trouble speakinng.. Brown attributed these complications to scar tissue that built up and blocked his salivary glands.

2023 Weight Loss and a Second Surgery to Fix the First

By 2023, Brown had shed the 70lbs, which helped lessen the scar tissue’s appearance. He then enlisted plastic surgeon Dr. Carl Truesdale to remove the scar tissue and mend the swollen salivary glands, according to the report .

Celebrity Surgery Trends and the Cost of Quick Fixes

The buccal fat removal trend peaked in 2021, with high‑profile figures like Teigen and Taylor‑Joy endorsing it. Brown’s experience underscores the potential long‑term risks of such procedures, prompting a broader conversation about the importance of careful consideration before undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Who Else Might Be Facing Similar Hidden Costs?

While Brown’s story is unique, it raises questions about how many other celebrities or everyday patients might be dealing with unseen complications from popular cosmetic trends. The People piece leaves readers wondering how widespread these isseus are and what safeguards might exist to protect patients.