If you look at a photo of Larsa Pippen from the late '90s next to a shot of her at the most recent Real Housewives of Miami reunion, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were looking at two completely different people. Honestly, the shift is that jarring. It isn’t just the hair or the makeup trends. It’s the entire silhouette.
The internet is obsessed with the larsa pippen before plastic surgery body because it represents a total 180 in aesthetic. Back in the day, when she was first introduced to the world as the wife of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, Larsa had what most would call a classic "girl next door" look. She was petite. She was lean.
She wasn't trying to be a bombshell in the way we think of them today.
But things changed. A lot. By the time RHOM was rebooted in 2021, Larsa returned with a physique that felt very... well, Kardashian-adjacent. Fans were quick to notice the dramatic curves, the smaller waist, and the facial structure that seemed to have been entirely redesigned.
The 1990s Natural Aesthetic
In 1997, when Larsa and Scottie tied the knot, the aesthetic was "heroin chic" or ultra-thin. Larsa fit right into the era. She had a very slender frame, a natural bust, and a face that was softer and more heart-shaped.
Back then, she weighed under 100 pounds. She’s said this herself.
"I was under a hundred pounds five years ago, if I show you my pictures. Given that I currently weigh 140 pounds, my arms and legs indeed appear bigger than they formerly were," Larsa explained during a Season 4 reunion.
When people search for the larsa pippen before plastic surgery body, they are looking for that 2011 version of her—the one from the very first season of Real Housewives of Miami. In those early episodes, her nose was slightly wider at the tip. Her lips were full but didn't have that "pillowy" look that has become her trademark. Her body was athletic, sure, but it lacked the exaggerated "hourglass" proportions she sports now.
What She Actually Admits To
Celebrities usually play a game of "did they or didn't they," but Larsa has been surprisingly blunt about a few things. She hasn't hidden everything.
- Rhinoplasty: She’s confirmed having her nose done. If you look at the bridge now, it’s much slimmer and the tip is more refined.
- Breast Augmentation: This one is obvious. Her bust is significantly larger and higher than it was in the '90s.
- Lip Fillers: She’s copped to this, though many think she’s gone a bit overboard in recent years.
The big elephant in the room? The BBL.
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Larsa has famously denied ever having a Brazilian Butt Lift. She credits her curvier lower half to working out "seven days a week" and gaining weight. She told Andy Cohen that her body changed because she's older and heavier now. Most experts and fans find this hard to swallow. While you can certainly build muscle in the gym, the specific "projection" of her hips and glutes compared to her very thin waist is a classic hallmark of fat transfer surgery.
The 2025 "Swollen Face" Controversy
Just recently, in late 2025, Larsa's appearance sparked a massive wave of concern and criticism. A video went viral where her face looked incredibly puffy, leading people to scream "filler fatigue" or "botched."
Larsa didn't take it lying down.
She claimed the swelling was an allergic reaction to PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy. Basically, they take your own blood, spin it, and inject the plasma back into your skin to stimulate collagen.
"Honey I had PRP and had an allergic reaction so chill out," she shot back at a doctor on Instagram.
Dr. Mai Kaga, a double board-certified physician, wasn't buying it. She pointed out that allergic reactions to your own blood are extremely rare. The doctor suggested that Larsa had been "overfilled" by injectors who were more interested in her money than her natural beauty. It's a tough conversation. We see this a lot in Miami and LA—where the "more is more" approach eventually starts to distort the actual anatomy of the face.
Why the Transformation Matters
People aren't just being mean-spirited when they talk about the larsa pippen before plastic surgery body. There's a deeper fascination with how someone can choose to completely erase their original features.
In Season 1 of RHOM, Larsa was beautiful. She was striking.
By Season 6, she had essentially adopted the "Instagram Face" template:
- High, tight cheekbones.
- A tiny, sculpted nose.
- Massive lips.
- An extreme hourglass figure.
Critics often point out that she seems to be trying to emulate Kim Kardashian, her former best friend. The voice, the style, the body—it all feels part of a specific brand. But Larsa insists she’s just living her best life and doing what makes her feel good.
The Reality of Maintenance
It's not just a one-and-done thing. Maintaining a look like Larsa’s is a full-time job. You’re looking at Botox every 3 to 4 months. Fillers need to be dissolved or topped up. Lasers, skin tightening, and potentially revision surgeries are always on the table.
She’s now 51.
In your 50s, the skin loses elasticity. If you have too much filler, it starts to "migrate" or sag, which might explain some of the puffiness fans have noticed. The weight gain she mentions—moving from 100 to 140 pounds—actually helps fill out the face naturally, but when you combine natural weight gain with heavy cosmetic intervention, the result can look "heavy."
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking at Larsa's transformation and thinking about your own journey, here’s the real talk:
Understand the "Uncanny Valley"
There is a point where cosmetic work stops looking "refreshed" and starts looking "surgical." If you look at Larsa's 2011 photos, she looked like herself. Now, she looks like a version of a person.
Weight Gain vs. Surgery
Don't be fooled by the "I just work out" narrative. While squats help, they don't typically create the "shelf" look of a BBL. Be realistic about what the gym can actually do for your bone structure.
The "Less is More" Rule
Most reputable plastic surgeons now advocate for "micro-optimizations" rather than total overhauls. If you're going to use filler, start very small.
Research Your Injector
As the drama with Dr. Kaga showed, even with "unlimited funds," you can end up with a look that people label as "overfilled." Always choose a board-certified professional who isn't afraid to tell you "no."
Larsa Pippen’s body evolution is a masterclass in modern celebrity culture. She’s transitioned from a 90s basketball wife to a 2020s reality TV mogul, and she’s changed her physical form to match that shift. Whether you think she looked better "before" or "after," one thing is for sure: she’s definitely not the same Larsa we met thirty years ago.
Next Step: You should audit your own skincare or aesthetic goals by consulting with a board-certified dermatologist who focuses on "regenerative" treatments rather than just "filling" volume, as this helps avoid the puffy look seen in recent celebrity trends.