England’s top health official has issued a stark warning about the dangers of “bargain basement” Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBL), urging the public to avoid overseas clinics offering cut-price procedures ahead of the Christmas period. The NHS has reported an influx of deals promising discounted BBL surgeries, with some packages—including flights, hotels, and the procedure itself—priced as low as £3,000.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, cautioned that while these offers may seem appealing, they pose significant risks. “These bargain basement cosmetic procedures are potentially deadly,” he said. The warning comes amid growing concerns over a surge in botched surgeries and medical complications resulting from poorly performed BBLs, which often require costly corrective treatment upon patients’ return to the UK.
BBL surgery, which involves fat being injected into the buttocks, carries the highest death rate among all cosmetic procedures. The primary risk is a pulmonary embolism, a blockage in the lungs’ blood vessels that can prove fatal. Other complications include cellulitis (skin infection) and the formation of lumpy scars around the surgical area.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has already advised its members against performing BBL surgery due to the risks involved. According to the NHS, the rise in low-cost overseas procedures has led to an increase in patients seeking unsafe treatments abroad. BBLs are reportedly 70% cheaper in some countries compared to the UK, making them an increasingly attractive but hazardous option for many.
Professor Powis emphasized that many of these surgeries take place in unregulated clinics with minimal oversight. “At a time when NHS staff are under immense pressure, the last thing they need is to treat patients with complications from a botched BBL,” he stated. “These procedures often leave the NHS to pick up the pieces, at a cost to taxpayers.”
Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health, also expressed concern over the growth of “cowboy clinics” offering low-cost cosmetic surgeries. “For too long, rogue operators have been causing harm in the pursuit of an unrealistic, ‘beach-perfect’ body,” she said, adding that plans would soon be announced to tackle these unregulated practices in the UK.
Smyth advised those considering any cosmetic surgery to carefully research their options and choose a reputable, qualified practitioner. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she warned. “No discount is worth risking your life over.”
The NHS and health experts continue to urge the public to proceed with caution when considering cosmetic procedures, particularly in the lead-up to the festive season when social media is flooded with offers of discounted surgeries.
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