Larsa Pippen looks different. You’ve seen the side-by-sides. Everyone has. On one side, there’s the 1990s Larsa—the young, fresh-faced bride of NBA legend Scottie Pippen during the Chicago Bulls' golden era. On the other side, there's the 2026 version of Larsa: a staple of The Real Housewives of Miami with a silhouette that has launched a thousand Reddit threads.
People love to talk about the transformation. Honestly, it’s one of the most debated "evolutions" in reality TV history. But when you look at Larsa Pippen before surgery, you aren’t just looking at a different face; you’re looking at a completely different era of celebrity.
Back in 1997, when she first popped up on the scene, Larsa had a softer, more natural vibe. She was 23. Her nose was slightly wider, her lips were thinner, and her style was very much "NBA royalty" of the late 90s. Fast forward to today, and she’s often compared to the Kardashians. Some fans even say she looks like a "different person." But what’s real and what’s just aging—or clever makeup?
The 1990s: Larsa Pippen before surgery and the "Original" face
If you dig through old press photos from the Bulls’ championship runs, you’ll find a version of Larsa that feels lightyears away from the Instagram-heavy aesthetic she sports now.
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She was naturally stunning. There’s no question about that. She had a heart-shaped face and a very distinct, "exotic" look rooted in her Syrian and Lebanese heritage. Her nose had a more prominent bridge and a rounded tip—features she eventually decided to "refine."
The Nose Job confession
Larsa hasn't been entirely secretive about her work. During the Season 4 reunion of The Real Housewives of Miami in 2022, she finally put some rumors to rest. She admitted to Andy Cohen that she had a rhinoplasty.
"I've had my nose done," she said. It was a rare moment of transparency in a world where "I just drink a lot of water" is the standard excuse. When you compare Larsa Pippen before surgery photos to her current profile, the change is obvious. The bridge is narrower. The tip is more "button-like." It’s the classic Hollywood nose job that removes "character" in favor of symmetry.
Why the "BBL" rumors won't go away
This is where things get messy. While Larsa admitted to the nose job and her breasts, she has notoriously denied getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
Instead, she points to her weight gain and the gym. "I literally work out seven days a week," she’s claimed multiple times. According to Larsa, her weight used to be under 100 pounds years ago, and now she’s closer to 140 pounds. She argues that those extra 40 pounds naturally went to her curves.
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The expert skeptical take
Many plastic surgeons aren't buying it. Doctors often point out that while exercise can build muscle, it rarely creates the specific "shelf-like" projection seen in BBL patients.
- Liposuction: Experts suggest she likely had fat harvested from her waist.
- Fat Grafting: This fat would then be injected into the hips and glutes.
- The "Tooth" Emoji: On social media, critics have even compared her modern silhouette to the tooth emoji—a harsh but common critique of the "Instagram body" trend.
Recent drama: The 2025 "Swollen Face" incident
In August 2025, things took a weird turn. Larsa appeared on Good Day New York looking notably different—swollen, actually. The internet went into a tailspin. Fans were genuinely worried, asking if she’d gone too far with the fillers.
Larsa’s explanation? An allergic reaction.
She claimed she had undergone a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment—essentially a "vampire facial"—and her face reacted badly to it. "Honey, I had PRP and had an allergic reaction, so chill out," she told her followers. It’s a convenient excuse, but medical experts noted that PRP uses your own blood, making allergic reactions incredibly rare.
What we can learn from Larsa’s evolution
Looking at Larsa Pippen before surgery vs. now is a lesson in the "Kardashian-ification" of beauty. Larsa was close friends with Kim Kardashian for years, and it’s hard not to notice how their styles merged.
The heavy fillers in the cheeks and jawline have given her that "top-heavy" look that many injectors now warn against. It’s a specific aesthetic: high-volume lips, zero forehead wrinkles, and a snatched jaw.
Actionable insights for those considering a change
If you're looking at Larsa's transformation and thinking about your own "refresh," here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Avoid the "Over-Filled" Trap: Excessive filler can lead to "filler fatigue," where the skin stretches out over time, requiring even more filler to look "normal."
- Age Matters: Procedures done in your 20s (like Larsa’s initial work) look different as you hit your 50s. Your bone structure changes.
- Choose a Surgeon, Not a Salesperson: As some Beverly Hills doctors have noted regarding Larsa’s 2025 look, a good injector should know when to say "no."
- Embrace "Unique" Features: Many fans actually prefer the Larsa Pippen before surgery look because her original nose and face shape were unique. Once you go for the "standard" Hollywood look, you lose the features that make you stand out.
Larsa seems happy, though. And honestly, in the world of Miami high society, that’s all that really matters to her. She’s leaning into the trends, for better or worse. Whether she’s at the gym or in the surgeon’s chair, she’s clearly committed to the "doll" aesthetic she’s cultivated over the last decade.
To really understand the shift, you have to look at the transition from the 1997 Chicago Bulls wife to the 2026 reality mogul. It’s not just a change in appearance—it’s a change in brand. Larsa didn't just get surgery; she rebuilt herself for the digital age.