Brandi Glanville Shares Health Update After Discovering Cause of Facial Parasite
The former reality television star Brandi Glanville has publicly revealed the underlying cause of her facial disfigurement, which she initially believed was due to a parasite. After extensive medical consultations and a sonogram, Glanville learned that the issue originated from ruptured breast implants she had for nearly two decades.
Years of Health Struggles and Misdiagnoses
Glanville, 53, first disclosed in December 2024 that she suspected a parasite on her face, spending $70,000 on treatments. Her health challenges persisted into 2025, with Dr. Terry Dubrow from Botched suggesting her facial condition resulted from an infectious process or a foreign body reaction to injections. Throughout this period, Glanville shared candid photos on social media, undergoing biopsies and hinting at a forthcoming diagnosis.
In a recent interview with TMZ, Glanville confirmed she "definitely had a parasite" leading to the disfigurement. Further testing, however, uncovered that the parasite was triggered by a rupture in her breast implants, which she had for about 20 years. "I was shocked, because they're implants that I've had for almost 20 years, they looked fine, they felt fine, the mammogram said they were fine, it wasn't until I had a sonogram," she explained.
Urgent Medical Intervention and Surgery
After consulting with 21 doctors and checking various health aspects, Glanville was urged to examine her implants. She admitted, "You really should change your breast implants every ten years, and I just didn't. I learned a really, really hard lesson." Prior to surgery, she detailed her condition to Inside Edition, revealing a complete rupture on the right side with silicone spreading to her lymph nodes, leaving her "petrified."
Her plastic surgeon, Dr. Ariel Ourian, described the case as "really complicated," noting the implant was torn and worse than expected, while the left implant remained intact. He expressed optimism about replacing them with fresh implants to reduce rupture risks.
Recovery and Previous Health Episodes
A week post-surgery, Glanville reported feeling better, stating, "I may have been isolated for three years, it's been hell. But now I want to live my life again. I'm ready." Beyond the facial issues, she experienced severe symptoms, including a hospital visit in April 2025 when she couldn't move her head and neck for hours, prompting an ambulance call.
Initially, Glanville speculated the illness stemmed from an undiscovered human ectoparasite contracted while filming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco in 2022. This highlights the prolonged and complex nature of her health journey, from initial suspicions to the definitive implant-related diagnosis.
