A Nigerian socialite, Elena Jessica, has reportedly died following complications from a cosmetic procedure popularly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Her death was made public by her sister, Nelli, in a TikTok post in which she narrated the circumstances leading to the incident.
Nelli alleged that the surgery was carried out at Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Hospital in the Ikoyi area of Lagos, claiming that the use of unsterilised instruments may have contributed to the complications that eventually led to Jessica’s death.
In a WhatsApp message shared by the sister, Jessica was said to have undergone liposuction and fat transfer surgery to her hips, buttocks and calves on February 6, 2026.
According to the account, she began experiencing severe pain and swelling in the operated areas about two days after the procedure.
Nelli explained that blood tests later indicated a very high white blood cell count, suggesting a serious infection, while her blood level reportedly dropped dangerously low, prompting the family to obtain several pints of blood for transfusion.
Despite being placed on antibiotics, her condition allegedly worsened. Surgeons were said to have carried out another procedure on February 13 to remove a large quantity of the injected fat after suspecting that excessive fat might have obstructed blood circulation.
The sister said Jessica remained in intense pain and showed little sign of recovery.
She further disclosed that Jessica was transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on February 19, but could not be admitted because there was no available intensive care unit bed.
According to her, the patient stayed inside an ambulance for several hours while the family searched for a hospital that could accommodate her.
She said Jessica was later taken to another hospital in Festac, where the family reportedly paid about N1.5m for a day in the ICU but discovered that there was no plastic surgeon available to manage her case.
The following day, the family moved her again after contacting another doctor who confirmed that a plastic surgeon was available at his facility.
Nelli stated that the hospital billed them about N6m for a week in the ICU and surgery to remove infected fat after doctors reportedly diagnosed Jessica with sepsis and described her chances of survival as uncertain.
Further tests allegedly showed that her blood level had dropped again, requiring additional transfusions.
On February 22, doctors reportedly carried out another major surgery during which infected fat was removed from her hips, buttocks and calves.
In a TikTok post, Nelli accused the managing director of Cynosure Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Hospital of negligence, alleging that unsterilised tools were used during the initial operation.
However, the hospital has denied the allegation and presented a different account of the events.
In a statement shared on TikTok, the management of Cynosure expressed condolences to the family but stated that Jessica had earlier undergone a cosmetic procedure at another facility before visiting their hospital for what it described as a corrective surgery.
The clinic said it performed the procedure and monitored her recovery before deciding, about two weeks after the operation, to refer her to a teaching hospital for further multidisciplinary care in line with standard medical practice.
The hospital added that the patient was eventually taken to another facility by her family, stressing that the decision was made outside its supervision.
It said, “The patient had previously undergone a procedure elsewhere and came to our facility for a corrective surgery. We accepted her case, carried out the procedure and monitored her recovery diligently.
“However, about two weeks after the surgery, we referred her to a foremost teaching hospital for further evaluation and treatment in line with our clinical protocols.”
The clinic also expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for the repose of Jessica’s soul.
Meanwhile, the hospital had faced a similar allegation in 2022 when it was accused of medical negligence following the death of another patient, Crystabel, who reportedly died after undergoing a buttocks enhancement procedure.