A mother has spoken of her terrifying ordeal after a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in Spain went disastrously wrong, leaving her with a serious infection, a large hole in her bottom, and a life-threatening blood clot.
Josephina Finch, 38, from Canterbury, Kent, traveled to Spain in October 2024 for a BBL and implants, hoping to achieve a curvier figure. She chose Spain after hearing horror stories about botched procedures in Turkey and paid around £6,000 for the surgery.
The make-up artist says her problems began seven days after the operation, when she felt unwell and returned to the clinic. She claims that fluid gushed from an inch-long wound in her buttocks when a nurse pressed the area, revealing a hole at the incision site.
Josephina was later informed that her implants were infected, and she feared for her life. She had to wait eight days for the surgeon, who was on holiday, to remove the implants. After returning to the UK, she began experiencing severe nerve pain in her leg.
Concerned about a possible blood clot, Josephina insisted on blood thinners and underwent an ultrasound, which confirmed a large clot in her leg. The following day, she developed sharp chest pains and rushed to hospital, where doctors warned the clot could have traveled to her lungs—potentially proving fatal.
Reflecting on the experience, Josephina said she regrets seeking a quick cosmetic fix. “I felt really guilty about it—it’s all my fault. It was just hell from start to finish,” she said.
Now, six months later, she has embraced a healthier, natural approach to body sculpting. With a personal trainer, Josephina has achieved the curvier figure she wanted through gym training rather than surgery.
“I tried to take the easy way out and instantly look perfect, but I actually risked everything. I’ve learned you can get the results you want safely, naturally, and without putting your life at risk,” she added.
The ordeal has left her with lasting health anxiety, and she says she will likely remain on blood thinners for life if she develops another clot.
