Woman feared amputation after liquid BBL treatment left her ‘fighting for life’
A mum was left fearing for her life when she ended up in hospital with sepsis after having a liquid Brazilian bum lift (BBL).
Laura Bassnett, 29, from Derby, had booked an appointment to have the non-surgical procedure, which involves injecting filler into the bum cheeks.
However, just 30 minutes into the £2,000 procedure, Laura began to feel unwell.
She says she fell unconscious on the bed and was in 'excruciating pain' halfway through the appointment.
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And when she was able to leave the clinic, the mum revealed she was going 'in and out of consciousness' during the car journey home.
"After about 30 minutes [since getting the treatment], I didn't know what was happening to me. I actually passed out and went unconscious," Laura said.
"I came round and felt clammy and out of it. They asked if I could carry on but my legs felt like jelly.
"He said 'you've done really well. You've got not long left'. I got up and carried on but the pain was excruciating, I could feel everything.
"The procedure finished and it was like I'd drank a bottle of vodka. I couldn't get my words out.
"I was holding onto my friend and could barely walk. I was being sick in the car, going in and out of consciousness."
After days of agonising pain, Laura was rushed to hospital.
"I got through the door and practically collapsed, I went straight through. My heart rate was going at 140bpm, my temperature was 39.8 degrees," she explained.
"The consultant looked at my bum and it was really hot on one side. They did some blood tests and put me straight on an antibiotic drip. Then the second day, I was told I had sepsis.
"I thought I was going to die. It was so selfish and stupid at the time but I did ask, 'are you going to have to take this filler out? Is that the worst case scenario?' And the doctor said 'no Laura, the worst case scenario is you could potentially lose your life'."
Doctors told Laura that they were unable to dissolve the filler and suggested surgery unless her condition improved.
Laura feared she would lose a limb as she lost feeling in her left leg and was subsequently unable to walk - which left her possibly facing amputation.
"I couldn't move my leg. I couldn't walk," she recalled. "They said we need an emergency MRI scan to check the blood circulation in your leg is flowing.
"I said 'am I going to lose my leg?' They said 'obviously we'll do everything we can for that not to happen'.
"Luckily the MRI came back clear and it was actually the swelling pushing against my nerves which was restricting the movement in my legs. That was scary."
Laura has now made a full recovery, but says her 'eyes have been opened' to the dangers of cosmetic procedures.
"This has really opened my eyes. I thought I was being safe getting a non-surgical procedure done. My boys could've lost their mum. I feel lucky to be alive," she said.
"If I hadn't gone to hospital when I did, it could've been a different story.
"I regret this - I would never do it again.
"If I knew what I knew now, I would never have had it done. I say to girls it's not worth risking your life."
Lucy Devine