Key Highlights
- Brandi Glanville announced she is undergoing exploratory facial surgery performed by Dr. Carlo Henrado to treat severe, ongoing facial issues.
- The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star revealed doctors identified suspected fungal masses under her skin, which she personally believes are alive.
- The procedure follows a recent crowdfunding effort launched by Gina Rodriguez to assist with Glanville’s mounting monthly medical expenses.
Brandi Glanville Prepares for Exploratory Facial Surgery
Television personality Brandi Glanville has revealed that she is undergoing an extensive surgical procedure to address severe facial health complications and disfigurement. Speaking on Thursday’s episode of her podcast, Brandi Glanville Unfiltered, the 53-year-old former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shared what she described as “great news” regarding an upcoming medical intervention.
Brandi Glanville, who has previously attributed her condition to a facial parasite caused by breast implants, explained the nature of the upcoming procedure to her co-host, James Maas. Dr Carlo Henrado is taking my face off on Friday and going to do an exploratory surgery to kind of do a power wash under my skin,
Glanville said.
Medical Diagnoses and Details of the Operation
During the podcast, Brandi Glanville explained that Dr. Carlo Henrado detected two distinct areas beneath the tissue of her face that require surgical investigation. Her physician suspects the spots may be fungal masses, though Glanville expressed her own concerns during the broadcast: I think it’s alive, personally, because it moves when it wants,
she stated.
Glanville detailed the logistical and financial arrangement for the operation, noting that Dr. Henrado agreed to undertake the intervention for whatever payout her medical insurance provides, plus an out-of-pocket cost of $5,000. But I’m OK with that. He’s like, ‘If I can cut the head off the beast, the snake, then the other stuff we’ll be able to get.
Expanding on the technical nature of the operation, Glanville explained: He’s, like, literally going in there with a power washer, basically, and knives and all this ****. And then he’s spinning my blood and doing this platelet thing on the inside of my face.
She added humorously regarding her systemic issues: We might not want my blood at this point.
Financial Strain and Crowdfunding Efforts
The surgical intervention arrives following significant public attention surrounding Brandi Glanville’s escalating medical bills. Last month, Glanville admitted she felt “embarrassed” after her close friend Gina Rodriguez launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with care costs that range from approximately $3,300 to $6,000 every month.
The GoFundMe campaign outlined the extensive history and multi-layered diagnoses Glanville has received following three years of declining health and medical evaluations:
For the past three years, RHOBH Alum, Brandi Glanville has been fighting an illness that has completely changed her life. She has gone from doctor to doctor searching for answers while her health continued to decline. Now, after years of uncertainty, she finally has diagnoses and a treatment plan, but the road ahead is long, painful and incredibly expensive,
Brandi has been diagnosed with highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), Demodex dermatitis and mononucleosis.
Doctors have also identified a fungal ball in her face that needs to be removed. Her treatment plan requires months of daily IV medication through a PICC line, and she is expected to remain on treatment for at least 4–6 months, possibly longer depending on how her body responds.
Addressing the fundraiser on her show, Brandi Glanville addressed her vulnerability regarding financial support: I’m embarrassed, honestly, because I don’t like to ask for help.
She added, I never thought I would do this.
Why This Matters
Brandi Glanville’s public disclosure highlights the extreme physical and financial toll complex chronic infections can take, even on high-profile public figures. After spending years seeking answers across multiple specialists, Glanville’s diagnosis of drug-resistant bacterial strains alongside fungal infections illustrates the intricate nature of biofilm-associated diseases.
Her recovery path will demand extensive medical vigilance beyond Dr. Carlo Henrado’s surgical intervention. Alongside the exploratory facial debridement and platelet treatment, Glanville is slated to remain on a rigorous regimen of daily intravenous medications administered through a PICC line for at least four to six months to manage systemic infection markers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What surgery is Brandi Glanville undergoing?
Brandi Glanville is undergoing exploratory facial surgery performed by Dr. Carlo Henrado. The procedure involves debriding the tissue beneath her skin, removing suspected fungal masses, and utilizing a platelet-rich treatment using her own blood.
What medical conditions has Brandi Glanville been diagnosed with?
According to her medical fundraiser, Glanville has been diagnosed with highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis (commonly known as Valley Fever), Demodex dermatitis, mononucleosis, and a facial fungal ball.
Why was a GoFundMe launched for Brandi Glanville?
Her friend Gina Rodriguez organized the GoFundMe to help manage medical expenses estimated between $3,300 and $6,000 per month, which cover specialized procedures and daily intravenous medications delivered via a PICC line over a multi-month period.
