Nigerian socialite Elena Jessica has tragically passed away following complications from a second Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery, sparking widespread reactions on social media, Truth Live News International reports.
Her sister, Nelli, confirmed the death on TikTok, revealing that the procedure took place at Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Hospital in Lagos. She accused the hospital of negligence, insisting her sister deserved proper care and transparency.
“My sister went into Cynosure trusting them with her life. Today, she is gone, and instead of accountability, all we are seeing are statements trying to protect an image,” Nelli wrote. She criticized the hospital for shutting off their comment section rather than addressing questions from the public.
According to a viral WhatsApp message from another sister, Jessica underwent liposuction and fat transfer to her hips, buttocks, and calves on 6 February. Two days later, she experienced severe pain. Medical tests revealed high white blood cell counts and low blood levels, leading to a transfusion of five pints of blood. Despite antibiotics, her condition worsened, and a decompression surgery was performed on 13 February to remove excess fat.
On 19 February, attempts to transfer her to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) failed due to a lack of ICU beds, leaving her in the ambulance for five hours. Subsequent treatment at another facility required her family to pay millions of naira for ICU care and surgery to remove infected fat, with Jessica suffering from sepsis.
Throughout this ordeal, the family alleged that Cynosure abandoned them, leaving them to manage her care and finances independently.
Cynosure Aesthetic later issued a statement denying that any video showing Jessica in distress during surgery was recorded at their clinic. The hospital offered condolences to the family and called for public compassion and sensitivity amid the tragedy.
Jessica’s death has reignited conversations about the risks associated with cosmetic procedures, with netizens expressing concern over safety standards and accountability in aesthetic surgery in Nigeria.This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of cosmetic procedures when proper medical care and oversight are lacking.
