The reality TV star first became known in 2009 through MTV’s 16 and Pregnant. She later joined the spin-off Teen Mom, appearing across all four seasons until 2012 and becoming one of the franchise’s most talked-about names.
Now 34, Abraham is a mom-of-one and says her years of cosmetic work have come with medical problems. The issue she described is not about a small tweak or another planned beauty upgrade, but something that affects a basic everyday movement: opening her mouth.
Abraham said the condition is called ‘degenerative disc disease’. Health experts often point out that, despite the name, degenerative disc disease is not really a disease in the usual sense.
Instead, it is a term used to describe wear and tear that can happen over time. In Abraham’s case, she linked the problem to her jaw and said it has left her unable to open her mouth normally.
What degenerative disc disease usually means
The phrase can sound more alarming than it is. Cleveland Clinic explains that degenerative disk disease is not actually a disease, but a term used when spinal disks wear down over time.
That does not mean Abraham’s jaw symptoms should be brushed off. Trouble opening the mouth can affect eating, speaking, and daily comfort, so it makes sense that she would see it as more than a cosmetic issue.
Her comments also show why medical language can confuse people. A term that sounds like a formal disease may actually describe a type of wear, damage, or breakdown, while the treatment depends on what a doctor finds in the specific area causing pain or limited movement.
That detail changes the tone of the story. Abraham has long been open about cosmetic procedures, but this time she framed the next surgery as something tied to function rather than appearance.
The former MTV star had her first cosmetic procedure at 19, when she underwent breast augmentation. Her history with surgery is not new, and she has often spoken openly about the work she has had done.
Abraham also told the Daily Mail last year that she had spent about $50,000 on her lips alone. That figure stands out even in celebrity cosmetic surgery stories, and it places her alongside other reality stars who have opened up about difficult procedures, including Snooki’s painful boob job recovery.
She also told the outlet that she wants to get a face lift within the next few years. For Abraham, the idea appears to be less about waiting until aging becomes obvious and more about taking action early.
“I’m all about preventative,” she said.
The reality star added: “I don’t ever feel like I need anything, but it is preventative. I would rather do things younger so I can bounce back and heal and recover than later when it’s all stretched out, it’s more money, it’s more recovery time.”
Since becoming famous through MTV, Abraham has also built a new career online and is now reportedly earning millions of dollars through OnlyFans. That move places her in a wider group of public figures using the platform to control their image and make money from direct fan access, a shift also seen when Shannon Elizabeth explained why she joined OnlyFans.
It was a strange turn even for someone whose career has moved through reality TV, cosmetic surgery, adult-content platforms, and public reinvention. For now, though, her latest concern is much more personal: getting her jaw working normally again.
