The short answer
A Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is the riskiest common cosmetic operation: the NHS says it has the highest death rate of all cosmetic procedures, mainly because fat injected into the buttock can enter large veins and block the blood vessels of the lungs. If you are considering it, see a qualified plastic surgeon first and let them tell you honestly whether it is right for you. Never have buttock injections of silicone, 'hydrogel' or any unknown product.
Book a consultationMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
What a BBL is
A BBL is liposuction plus fat transfer. Fat is taken from the tummy, flanks or back, cleaned, and injected into the buttocks to change their shape and size. It is not a lift in the usual sense. It sounds simple because there is no implant, and that is part of why it is underestimated.
Why it is dangerous
The buttock contains large veins deep in and under the muscle. When fat is injected into or below the muscle, it can tear these veins and travel to the lungs. This is a fat embolism. It can happen on the table, cannot always be reversed, and has killed young, healthy women around the world, including in Nigeria.
Surgeons have changed how they do the operation to reduce this risk, injecting only into the fat layer above the muscle, and in some centres using ultrasound to see where the cannula is. Those changes help, but they depend on a trained surgeon who is not rushing, in a hospital theatre, with an anaesthetist. The cheaper and faster the operation, the more likely those protections are missing.
Buttock injections are worse
Some people, put off by the price of surgery, go for injections in a salon, a house or a hotel. These are often silicone, oils, or products sold as 'hydrogel' or 'filler', sometimes not even meant for the human body. They can travel in the blood, cause severe infections, hard lumps and skin death, and in some cases kidney damage or death, sometimes years later. They are very hard to remove. Do not have them, at any price.
Questions to ask any surgeon who offers a BBL
If you still want to explore it, get clear answers to these:
- Are you a registered plastic surgeon, and how many of these have you done?
- Which layer will the fat go into, and how do you make sure it stays there?
- Where is it done, and who gives the anaesthetic?
- How much fat in total, and how long will I be under anaesthetic?
- What do you do if something goes wrong in theatre?
- Is there a reason this is not right for me?
What Mezo offers instead of selling you a BBL
Mezo does not have a BBL page and does not advertise it. If body shape is what you want to change, start with a liposuction consultation with a verified, MDCN-checked plastic surgeon. They will look at what you have, what is safe, and what is not, and you get a written quote only if surgery is right for you. If you already had a BBL or buttock injections and something is wrong, a revision consultation is the place to start.
Get help now if
After any buttock surgery or injection, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, confusion, or collapse is an emergency: go to the nearest emergency department. Fever, spreading redness, a hot hard swelling, or skin turning dark or black over the injected area also needs a doctor the same day.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
Is a BBL safer abroad, in Turkey or the US?
The risk comes from the operation, not the country. A well-trained surgeon in a proper hospital lowers it anywhere. Travelling also adds a long flight soon after surgery, which raises the risk of clots, and leaves you far from the surgeon if a problem appears.
Are buttock filler injections safe if they say it is hyaluronic acid?
You usually cannot check what is in the syringe, and large-volume buttock injections are not a standard, safe treatment. Avoid them.
Can a BBL be done under local anaesthetic in a clinic?
That is a warning sign. A BBL moves a large amount of fat, and the person injecting needs a still patient, good monitoring and an anaesthetist. A small clinic or a house is the wrong place.
I had buttock injections and now have lumps. What should I do?
See a plastic surgeon. Do not let anyone 'dissolve' or squeeze them out. If there is fever, redness, pain or skin changes, get care the same day.
The procedures
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Surgical fat transfer. NHS. Patient information.
- Choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure. NHS. Patient information.
- Cosmetic surgery abroad. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.