The family of Alice Webb, a 33-year-old mother of five from Gloucestershire, are urgently calling for a nationwide ban on Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures following her tragic death. Alice is believed to be the first person in the UK to die after undergoing this increasingly popular cosmetic treatment.
Alice passed away after receiving a non-surgical BBL at a Gloucester clinic. The procedure, often performed by individuals without medical qualifications, involves injecting substances into the buttocks to enhance their shape. Soon after the treatment, Alice suffered a fall and was admitted to hospital where she later died.
Following her death, two individuals were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Both were later released on bail; however, by September last year, police announced that one individual would face no further action.
In a heartfelt statement, Alice’s family urged the government to take decisive action: “It has been over a year since Alice passed away, and we are still waiting for the government to implement essential legal changes to prevent further deaths from these botched BBL procedures. The past year has been devastating for all of Alice’s loved ones, and we do not want any other family to endure the same pain.”
They added: “Given the risks, there should be an immediate ban on BBLs until it is clear how these procedures can be safely carried out and properly regulated. Organizations such as Save Face have warned the government about these dangers for years, yet no effective action has been taken.”
Despite promises of legislative reform, Alice’s family stresses that words alone are insufficient: “Talk does not save lives. We urge the government to act now before more tragedies occur.”
The hidden dangers of unregulated cosmetic surgeries have been the focus of an ITV News documentary, which includes an undercover investigation into Britain’s backstreet cosmetic surgery trade.
Responding to the crisis, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “It is disgraceful that individuals are suffering life-changing harm from botched procedures performed by unqualified practitioners. We are introducing new regulations to ensure that only properly qualified healthcare professionals can carry out these cosmetic treatments.”
They also advised the public to thoroughly verify their provider’s qualifications, insurance, and history before undergoing any cosmetic procedures. “If a treatment seems too good to be true, it probably is—your health is simply not worth the risk.”
This tragic case highlights the urgent need for stringent regulation and public awareness to prevent further loss of life from dangerous cosmetic procedures like the Brazilian Butt Lift.