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People have been exploring options for having their cosmetic surgery procedures reversed. The Mirror spoke to a doctor about why this is happening and the risks that this can incur
It’s clear the cosmetic surgery industry has undergone significant change over the past decade as it adapts to the latest trends – and there’s a reason people are looking to reverse their procedures.
Social media has a huge influence on cosmetic ‘looks’ with over 135,000 posts about cosmetic surgery alone on TikTok, where you can watch thousands of people sharing their experiences. One of the huge trends to popularise in recent times was a Brazilian Bum Lift (BBL) and a record 40,320 women had buttock augmentation procedures in 2020, according to figures released in 2022 by The Aesthetic Society.
And there is no denying celebrities have helped fuel the desire for a huge posterior – especially the Kardashians. Kim Kardashian is renowned for her hourglass body and large bum but has always denied having surgery to enhance it. But BBL rates surged, and the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) revealed the procedure is increasing by a staggering 20% year-on-year.
Despite surging in popularity, it carries the highest risk out of all cosmetic procedures, with more than one in 4,000 resulting in death. The invasive surgery involves injecting fat from other parts of the body into the bottom to give a more rounded or lifted look. The average price for a BBL in the UK is between £6,000 to £12,000 and women have been scrambling for the funds for years – but it looks like times are changing.
But with reports of women undergoing barbaric surgeries, others sadly dying from ‘dodgy’ surgeries and one woman left looking like ‘something from a horror film,’ it’s no wonder the tide has changed with the popularity of the procedure. Rumours of Kim Kardashian ‘losing’ her larger shape circulated in 2021, as the star was pictured with a smaller-than-usual bum.
And it’s not just celebrity influences that have driven the change. Women online have shared snaps of them going back to their natural looks, with the rise in the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic storming the internet. Meanwhile, more and more have been open about sharing their experiences of cosmetic surgery and the risks, leading to a rise in reversal procedures.
Dr Sharma from Sharma Skin and Hair Surgery spoke to the Mirror about why people are so desperatly wanting to return back to their natural body shapes. “If there is one thing that remains constant, it’s that beauty standards continue to adapt and evolve,” he said, before explaining: “In the 90s and early 2000s it was the ‘model runway’ aesthetic with women looking for breast enhancement surgeries and a few years back it was BBLs.
“But, with many influencers and celebrities being accused of having ‘pillow face’ filler and a high number of illegal and dangerous BBL procedures being done, people are looking towards more non-invasive and non-surgical procedures to help them achieve the looks they want.”
While notable celebrities and online personalities have been promoting their new tweaks and cosmetic procedures, it has made followers more aware of the risks, the expert believes. “I do think the rise in dangerous [and in some cases life threatening] BBL treatments has led people to become more aware of the risks and dangers of a procedure like this,” the expert noted.
Dr Sharma said that before the shift in behaviour, it seemed as though people were looking to get BBLs to “conform to a body type trend” without “reading the small print”. But after the public has seen so many BBLs going wrong – something he noted was “due to the injected fat causing blockages in blood vessels which travel to the major organs” – he thinks there has been a noticeable shift away from this invasive and potentially dangerous surgery.
“With this being said, many are still unaware of the life-threatening consequences that can happen as a result of BBL surgeries,” he warned. The expert highlighted the biggest danger comes from a fat embolism. He explained: “This happens if fat is accidentally injected into a vein and travels to the lungs or heart, which can be life-threatening” and urged people to choose a “highly skilled and experienced surgeon for the procedure.”
But for those who have gone ahead with the surgery and have since wanted to reverse it, the doctor said this could be just as dangerous as having the procedure in the first place. He detailed: “To remove the BBL, surgeons need to use liposuction to remove the fat that was added to the buttocks — this can be done safely by a skilled surgeon, but it’s still surgery and comes with some risks. Those risks can be anything from infections, bleeding, blood clots etc.”
Removing fat can also come with risks of uneven areas, dimples or asymmetry, and the skin can appear loose or saggy – especially if a lot of fat was taken out or if the skin doesn’t bounce back easily. For those looking to go abroad for surgeries, the expert issued some stern advice and said: “It’s also important to note that with the rise in complications from cosmetic tourism, it’s more important than ever that patients prioritise their safety over cost. The BAAPS guidelines highlight the importance of choosing qualified surgeons, ensuring proper aftercare, and being aware of the risks of travelling abroad for procedures.”
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