Cardi B's Candid Approach to Plastic Surgery

Cardi B has always been an open book when it comes to the cosmetic procedures she's had done. Since bursting onto the music scene with "Bodak Yellow" in 2017, the rapper has consistently shared details about her surgeries, from her motivations to the painful recoveries. She believes transparency is important, especially for young fans who may consider similar procedures.

In a November 2024 appearance on The Jason Lee podcast, Cardi set the record straight about why she opts for surgery. "People will be assuming that when you do surgery, you're insecure about yourself or you hate yourself, and that's just not the truth," she explained. "If I want to correct something or do a little something something, I'm going to do it." She added, "I like being perfect. I like a certain type of body for myself."

Her journey began long before fame, starting with a breast augmentation when she was just 18 years old. This first procedure was funded by her work as a stripper, a job she took to escape poverty and abuse. Over the years, she has undergone multiple surgeries including potentially dangerous butt injections, rhinoplasty, liposuction, and veneers. Below is a comprehensive look at every procedure Cardi B has talked about openly.

Breast Augmentation at 18

When Cardi B was a teenager, she struggled with insecurities about her body. In a 2021 conversation with Mariah Carey for Interview Magazine, she recalled being teased for being skinny. "I was really skinny when I was younger, and in the Bronx, it's about being thick and having an ass, so young boys would be like, 'Look at your flat ass. You ain't got no titties,'" she said. The comments made her feel "ugly and undeveloped."

At 18, after starting work as a dancer, she saved enough money to get a breast augmentation. "When I was 18 and became a dancer, I had enough money to afford to buy boobs, so every insecurity that I felt about my breasts was gone," she recalled. The procedure changed her confidence and set the stage for further enhancements.

Butt Injections and Their Risky Removal

Soon after her breast surgery, Cardi sought to enhance her buttocks. At age 21, she received biopolymer injections—silicone-based fillers that are not approved by the FDA and can cause life-threatening complications. The procedure cost just $800 and was performed in a basement in Queens, New York. In a 2018 interview with GQ, she described the experience: "They don't numb your ass with anything. It was the craziest pain ever. I felt like I was gonna pass out. I felt a little dizzy. And it leaks for, like, five days."

Years later, in August 2022, Cardi had "95%" of the biopolymers removed. She later opened up about the removal during an Instagram Live in December 2022, offering fans advice. "All I'm going to say is that if you're young, if you're 19, 20, 21, and sometimes you're too skinny, and you be like 'OMG I don't have enough fat to put in my ass,' so you result to ass shots, DON'T!" she warned. She also gave advice about BBLs (Brazilian Butt Lifts), emphasizing the need to check blood levels and avoid surgery if health issues are present. In January 2024, she went for another round of injection removal.

The decision to remove the injections came after years of discomfort and health risks. Cardi has been vocal about the dangers of unregulated procedures, especially for young people who might feel pressured to conform to beauty standards.

Porcelain Veneers for a Smile Makeover

Shortly after her debut on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York, Cardi decided to improve her smile. She visited celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Catrise Austin to get several porcelain veneers. The process was featured on the season 7 premiere of the show. In a 2016 interview, she explained her reasoning: "It was just something that people kept talking about … and I knew I was going to do more on TV. I don't want my teeth distracting people from my talents or what I do."

Her new smile became a point of pride. She even included the line "Got a bag and fixed my teeth" in her breakout hit "Bodak Yellow," turning her cosmetic investment into a lyrical boast.

Rhinoplasty and the Fillers She Regrets

Cardi B has always been self-conscious about her nose. During her The Jason Lee podcast appearance, she said, "I always felt like I had a big nose. Even before I was famous, I was like 'Damn, I've got my daddy's nose.' ... I was always afraid to do my nose and I finally took that step."

Before opting for a surgical rhinoplasty in 2020, she tried nose fillers in 2019 because several people told her it was a non-surgical alternative that could make her nose smaller. Unfortunately, the fillers had the opposite effect. "That s--- f---ed my nose up," she said. "I was like, 'Oh my Gosh, what the f--- did I do to myself?'" The fillers made her nose look longer and wider. This negative experience pushed her to go through with surgery, which ultimately gave her the results she wanted.

Liposuction After Giving Birth

In May 2019, while performing at the Beale Street Musical Festival, Cardi revealed that she had recently undergone liposuction. She told the crowd, "I have some news for y'all. I should have canceled today. I shouldn't really be performing because moving too much is gonna f--- up my lipo. But b---- I'm still gonna get my motherf---ing money back, let's go!"

Shortly after, she had to postpone several performances on doctor's orders to allow for proper recovery. The idea of liposuction first came up in August 2018, a month after she gave birth to her daughter Kulture Kiari (whom she shares with ex-husband Offset). During an Instagram Live, she expressed dissatisfaction with her post-pregnancy body: "I still feel like I got a lot of love handles right here. It's not much but it's like — I'm used to having, like, a real tight stomach."

Years later, in September 2025, she addressed misconceptions on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast. She clarified that she does not rush into surgery after childbirth. "I take my time because I don't want to die," she explained. "You have to wait six, seven months before you get any type of surgery after you give birth because you lose so much blood. Your body is still contracting. Your organs are still contracting. Your breasts are getting smaller."

No Regrets: Cardi B Stands by Her Choices

Despite the risks and occasional disappointments, Cardi B does not regret her plastic surgery. In her interview with Alex Cooper, she said, "I look at myself in the mirror and it's like, I really wouldn't change a thing. Maybe I would like my butt to be smaller … but it's, like I said, really hard for my butt to get smaller. I already did a reduction." She went on to describe the painful and lengthy reduction process, adding that she won't put herself through that again just to please critics. "I'm not going to put myself in that position again because you don't like my body. I'm comfortable; I learned to live with it. I don't get no complaints from nobody."

She also reflected on the double standards the public holds. Celebrities who hide their procedures are criticized, but so are those who are open like her. "It really sucks so much," she said. "When you do tell them your business, it's bad too … you can never win."

Throughout her career, Cardi B has used her platform to discuss body image, financial independence, and the realities of plastic surgery. Her story serves as both cautionary tale and empowerment, proving that the most important person to satisfy is yourself.

From the early days of stripping to becoming one of the most influential female rappers, Cardi B's physical transformation mirrors her personal growth. She has always taken control of her body and her narrative, making decisions that align with her own definition of perfection. Whether it's a boob job at 18 or removing dangerous butt injections years later, she remains unapologetically herself.

Source: Yahoo Entertainment News