By Frank Ulom
LAGOS (CONVERSEER) – A young Nigerian lady, Elena Jessica, sought a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) after another clinic turned her away for having skin deemed too light; she reportedly underwent the procedure at Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Lagos.
It was alleged that at Cynosure, a severe infection followed and friends say the clinic abandoned her post-op care, leading to her death.
This marks at least the third BBL-related fatality allegedly linked to Cynosure since 2022, including 23-year-old Destiny Benjamin in 2023, prompting calls for action from Lagos health regulators.
Amid grief, people share graphic surgery horror videos and personal warnings, pushing back with messages like “BBLis a cold way to die” and advice to hit the gym instead, highlighting the procedure’s high risks like fat embolisms in Nigeria’s booming beauty scene.
https://t.co/nvUsDonlLP https://t.co/aPb3k0dazz
— 𝔼𝕤𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕥😎 (@Esmart26) March 9, 2026
According to a video shared by @Guccistarboi on Monday, a family member cried out, saying, “I told Jessica to go and commot that BBL yansh wey she do but she went to do another one.”
“I told Jessica to go and commot that BBL yansh wey she do but she went to do another one” family member cries out. pic.twitter.com/5Nn42BUN8a
— STARBOY GUCCI🖤🦉🖤 (@Guccistarboi) March 9, 2026
Social media is currently mourning the lady.
Meanwhile, a Nigerian doctor, Dr Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has said despite his warnings 8 years ago, he is surprised people are still going for a botch.
“According to data, this procedure has an alarming rate of mortality estimated to be as high as 1:3000, and the risk of dying from this procedure is higher than any cosmetic surgery.
“This is a technically challenging surgery and there have been reports of non-qualified surgeons performing this operation,” Aproko Doctor’s tweet in 2018 read in part.
This tweet from 8 years ago still stands. BBL is a dangerous surgery. https://t.co/R8ljaKdOpN
— Dr. Chinonso Egemba (@aproko_doctor) March 9, 2026
In a statement issued via its Instagram page (cynosureaestheticsng) on Sunday, Cynosure denied recording any death at its facilities.
According to that press release, “There has been a deliberate attempt to circulate false and damaging information about our clinic. We owe our client and the public – the truth.
“Despite the significant volume of surgical procedures performed at our facility this year, we have recorded zero patient deaths to the glory of God. We state this clearly, without equivocation.
“The patient had previously undergone a procedure elsewhere and sought a corrective procedure at our facility. We accepted her care, performed her corrective surgery, and monitored her recovery with the diligence our clients deserve.
“However, at about two weeks post- operatively, a decision was reached to refer her for further care and in strict adherence to our standard clinical protocols, the patient was referred to a foremost teaching hospital for further multidisciplinary evaluation and care. This is what any responsible medical facility would do and it’s not unusual.
“However, the patient was subsequently taken to a different facility, a decision made outside of our hospital three weeks ago. We do hereby empathise with the family of the deceased and we pray for the repose of her soul.
“‘Our patients’ safety is not a talking point- it is the foundation everything we do is built on.’ We will not allow misinformation to define us. Our results, our records, and our clients speak for themselves.
“This statement is issued in the interest of public transparency and to correct misinformation currently in circulation in the social media space.”
