The Government of Lagos State has commenced an investigation into the death of a Lagos socialite identified as Elena Jessica who allegedly died after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) cosmetic procedure at a private clinic in the state.
The investigation is being carried out by the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), the regulatory body responsible for licensing, monitoring, and accrediting health facilities in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Thursday, HEFAMAA’s Permanent Secretary, Abiola Idowu, said the probe followed reports circulating on social media that the woman developed complications during or shortly after the aesthetic procedure.
According to the statement, the government has initiated a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Lagos State Government, through the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), has commenced a full investigation into the reported death of a Lagos socialite popularly known as ‘Elena,’ who allegedly died after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) cosmetic procedure at a clinic in the state,” the statement read.
Authorities noted that although preliminary details are still being verified, the investigation would examine whether established medical and safety standards were followed.
A Brazilian Butt Lift is a cosmetic surgery that involves removing fat from other parts of the body and injecting it into the buttocks to enhance their size and shape.
HEFAMAA disclosed that initial findings show the clinic where the surgery reportedly took place is registered with the agency. However, it stressed that registration does not shield any facility from scrutiny when incidents involving patient safety occur.
“Preliminary information indicates that the clinic where the procedure reportedly took place is registered with HEFAMAA. However, the agency notes that registration does not preclude any facility from regulatory scrutiny, particularly when incidents involving patient safety are reported,” the statement said.
The agency explained that aesthetic and cosmetic procedures in Lagos are governed by strict regulatory guidelines covering facility infrastructure, practitioner qualifications, infection prevention, anaesthetic safety, patient consent, and emergency response capacity.
It added that investigators are conducting a comprehensive review of the incident, including verifying the professional credentials of the medical personnel involved and evaluating the level of care provided to the patient before, during, and after the procedure.
The incident adds to a series of deaths linked to cosmetic surgery in Lagos in recent years. Less than two years ago, a 36-year-old woman identified as Abiola reportedly died during a butt enlargement procedure at a clinic in the Lekki Phase 1 area.
Similarly, in June 2022, another woman, identified as Crystabel, was reported to have died after undergoing plastic surgery at Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surg in Lagos.
HEFAMAA urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
The agency also advised residents seeking cosmetic procedures to ensure they patronise only accredited health facilities and qualified practitioners with the appropriate training.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting residents’ health through stricter regulatory oversight, continuous monitoring of healthcare facilities, and enforcement of medical standards across the state.
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