Cardi B is no stranger to transparency—whether it’s about her music, personal life, or plastic surgery. The Bronx-born rapper has never shied away from discussing the ups and downs of her cosmetic procedures, particularly her experiences with butt injections. It’s been a long and complicated road, filled with transformations, health risks, and ultimately, a change in perspective.
The Early Days: A Risky Decision
Back in 2014, long before Cardi B became the household name she is today, she opted for butt injections—an illegal procedure she later confessed happened in someone’s basement in Queens. At the time, her desire to enhance her curves drove this decision, but it came at a cost. Cardi would later describe the experience as “the craziest pain ever,” revealing that the silicone injections leaked for days and left her feeling faint. The procedure was not done by a certified professional, a choice that Cardi has since cautioned her fans against repeating.
Reversing the Damage — A Long Process
Fast forward to 2022, and Cardi B made the difficult decision to start removing those injections. She began by having 95% of the silicone taken out of her buttocks, acknowledging the risky nature of the procedure. Silicone injections can cause severe health issues, including fibrosis—a condition where scar tissue forms in the body—something Cardi herself experienced. During a candid Instagram Live session, she shared that her first round of removals was a “crazy process” and warned her followers against following in her footsteps.
However, the removal wasn’t a one-and-done situation. In January 2024, Cardi underwent yet another round of surgery to continue eliminating the remnants of those illegal injections. She also took the opportunity to address her fibrosis, further complicating her recovery.
A Cautionary Tale for Young Women
Throughout her journey, Cardi has been vocal about the pressures that young women face regarding body image and the lengths some may go to achieve the “perfect” figure. She’s been especially critical of the trend of influencers who undergo surgery and then attribute their results to rigorous workouts. Cardi has stressed the importance of being honest with her fans, making it clear that her curves weren’t built in the gym, but rather enhanced through surgery.
Her openness extends to her advice for those considering procedures like Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs). In a December 2022 Instagram Live, she urged her followers to get thorough medical checkups before going under the knife. Cardi highlighted the importance of having healthy blood levels and avoiding procedures if conditions like diabetes are present. Her message was clear: do your homework, and never compromise your health for aesthetics.
Balancing Beauty and Health
Cardi’s journey isn’t just about butt injections, though they are a significant part of it. Over the years, she’s also undergone breast augmentations, liposuction, and rhinoplasty, all of which she’s been open about. After giving birth to her daughter Kulture in 2018, she opted for liposuction to help get rid of what she called “extra skin” from her pregnancy. This post-baby surgery, however, led to some complications, including having to cancel performances because the healing process was more intense than expected.
Despite these experiences, Cardi has remained resilient. She’s made it a point to balance her desire for physical enhancements with the realities of what her body can handle, sharing both the highs and lows with her fans.
Looking Forward
As Cardi continues to evolve both personally and professionally, she’s also become a cautionary figure for those considering plastic surgery. Her story is a reminder that beauty comes with risks, especially when it involves illegal or unsafe procedures. Yet, Cardi’s honesty about her regrets and the grueling process of reversing those choices offers a valuable lesson: quick fixes aren’t always worth the long-term consequences.
Even after multiple surgeries to reverse her earlier decisions, Cardi has maintained her signature curves, suggesting that she’s had procedures to balance out the effects of the removals. She’s still the bold, unapologetic figure her fans adore—only now, she’s a little wiser and a lot more vocal about the realities of plastic surgery.
In a world where influencers often present a picture-perfect image, Cardi B stands out by showing the raw, unfiltered truth. Whether it’s through sharing her past mistakes or issuing warnings to her younger followers, Cardi’s plastic surgery journey is as much about self-awareness as it is about aesthetics. And that’s what makes her message resonate—because while we may admire her style and swagger, it’s her honesty that truly sets her apart.