In 2018, at age 21, Palermo travelled to the Republic of Korea, where she underwent weight-loss surgery, despite only weighing 53kg at the time of the procedure. Palermo claims she contacted over 50 doctors around the world until she found one willing to proceed with the surgery. After the surgery, her weight at one point dropped to 38kg, and she was admitted to hospital, being treated with stomach medication and an IV drip.[7]