Woman Endures Severe Pain Following Botched Brazilian Butt Lift
Josephina Finch, a 38-year-old woman from Canterbury, Kent, described experiencing intense agony after a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure went wrong, resulting in a "gaping wound."
Finch explained that her motivation for the surgery was her preference for a curvy appearance and an hourglass figure. She conducted research for approximately three years before deciding to travel to Spain for the operation in October 2024, believing the procedure would be safe.
She recounted the immediate aftermath of the surgery, stating that she "woke up screaming" due to the severe pain.
"It was very painful, it felt like you've been hit by a bus," Finch said. "Nothing would prepare you to understand how much pain I was in."
Following the surgery, Finch was required to lie on her front and was permitted to stand for only one hour each day. She developed sores on her elbows from this position and was scheduled to remain in the clinic for two weeks.
However, seven days after the surgery, Finch began to feel "very ill."
"My bum felt like it was boiling, I felt like I had a fever," she said.
She returned to the clinic where she was administered fluids via a drip. Medical staff observed fluid leaking from the incision site at the top of her buttock, where the implant had been inserted.
Finch reported that the scar had not healed properly and there was a "gaping hole," indicating an infection at the implant site.
The surgeon responsible for the procedure was reportedly away and only removed the implant eight days later.
Although the surgeon suggested washing and reinserting the implant, Finch declined, expressing her desire to return home to her children.
"I wouldn't have been worried if I had one bum cheek dragging on the floor. I didn't care at that point, I just wanted to go home," she said.
Aftermath and Reflection on Cosmetic Surgery Risks
Finch described her experience as "absolute hell" and noted that it took six months before she was able to lie on her back again.
"The depression and the anxiety I've had from this stupid decision to try and alter my posterior, it just wasn't worth it," she said.
She expressed strong opinions against cosmetic surgeries like BBL, emphasizing the risks involved.
"These types of surgeries are too risky, yet it's still so accessible," Finch stated.
She added that it took her six months to regain emotional well-being and called the surgery "the worst mistake of my life."
Calls for Regulation on High-Risk Cosmetic Procedures
In February, a cross-party group of Members of Parliament advocated for tighter restrictions on high-risk cosmetic procedures, including liquid Brazilian butt lifts.
Currently, there is no regulation governing who can perform procedures that do not involve incisions.
The Women and Equalities Committee highlighted that this lack of oversight has created a "wild west" market, with procedures such as liquid breast enlargements reportedly being conducted in unconventional locations like holiday lets, hotel rooms, garden sheds, and public toilets.
The committee recommended that only qualified doctors should be permitted to carry out high-risk cosmetic procedures due to the associated dangers.
MPs noted that such a restriction would effectively act as a ban, as doctors would likely only perform these procedures in essential cases.
The government has proposed similar measures but has not yet confirmed when these restrictions will be implemented.
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