Why choose Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors?

We were the first legal practice in England and Wales established to focus solely on helping people who have been affected by Brazilian butt lift surgery gone wrong. For more than 15 years, we have provided an unrivalled service in this area, culminating in a 95% success rate for all the cases we have handled after obtaining medical evidence.

With a rating of ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot, we have been shown to deliver our legal services in a manner that is sensitive and successful. To date, we have secured more than £10 million in compensation for our clients after obtaining medical evidence, and since we work on a no win, no fee basis, there is no financial risk involved with making a BBL claim with us.

Led by respected solicitor Michael Saul, our team is perfectly placed to assist you to recover the compensation you deserve, allowing you and your family to move on with your lives.

Could I claim compensation after a botched BBL surgery?

If you have undergone BBL surgery and experienced avoidable harm because your surgeon failed in their duty of care, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

A claim may be possible where the treatment you received fell below the standard reasonably expected of a competent cosmetic surgeon and this caused you injury. This could include poor surgical technique, unsafe fat placement, inadequate infection control, failure to diagnose or treat complications promptly, or insufficient post-operative care.

You may also be able to claim where negligent treatment has left you with complications such as significant scarring, asymmetry, tissue damage, infection or other lasting effects.

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors will assess what happened, obtain medical evidence and advise you on whether you may be able to pursue compensation for the harm you have experienced.

How long will the claims process take?

Because the circumstances of every BBL claim are unique, the length of the claims process will vary depending on the specific details of your case. By contacting Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, you will be assigned a dedicated plastic surgery solicitor who will assess your case in detail, before providing you with a comprehensive plan of all the steps involved.

At every stage of the process, they will be available to provide regular updates and offer advice, guidance, and answers to any questions you might have.

What are the signs that my BBL surgery has gone wrong?

BBL surgery carries recognised risks and can lead to serious complications when something goes wrong. These can include severe bacterial infections, tissue damage, wound-healing problems, scarring and complications associated with fat entering the bloodstream. Because some of these complications can be severe, it is important that BBL surgery is carefully planned, performed and monitored by an appropriately qualified surgeon, with any post-operative concerns identified and treated promptly.

Furthermore, 1 in 3,000 BBL operations have resulted in the death of a patient, making it the most dangerous cosmetic surgery procedure currently available. Death from BBL surgery is caused by the accidental injection of fat into large veins, which then travels up to the heart, lungs or brain. Learn more about which cosmetic procedures carry the highest risk here.

Find out more about the dangers of BBL surgery in our blog post.

The table below outlines the key differences between expected BBL recovery effects and complications that may indicate potentially negligent treatment, particularly where they are caused by poor surgical technique, inadequate aftercare or a failure to diagnose and treat complications appropriately.

What is the duty of care for clinics and aesthetic plastic surgeons?

Surgeons carrying out BBL procedures have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect their patients from avoidable harm. This includes assessing whether the procedure is suitable, performing the surgery safely, explaining the material risks and alternatives, and providing appropriate aftercare and follow-up support. GMC guidance requires doctors offering cosmetic interventions to work within their competence, obtain informed consent and give patients clear information about outcomes, benefits and risks.

For BBL surgery in particular, clinics and surgeons should follow recognised safety guidance designed to reduce serious complications. This includes:

• Surgeons must be appropriately registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and have the necessary skills and experience to carry out the procedure safely.
• Cosmetic surgery providers in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) where they carry out regulated surgical procedures.
• Surgeons should follow recognised professional standards relating to competence, consent, record keeping, aftercare and patient safety.
• BAAPS recommends that fat is injected only into the superficial, subcutaneous layer during gluteal fat grafting rather than into the deeper muscle.
• Real-time ultrasound guidance should be used during fat injection so the surgeon can confirm that the cannula remains within the subcutaneous plane and reduce the risk of fat entering deeper tissues or blood vessels.
• Patients should receive appropriate monitoring and aftercare, including prompt assessment and treatment if complications develop.

A poor outcome does not automatically mean that negligence occurred. However, if a surgeon or clinic failed to meet an appropriate standard of care and this caused avoidable injury, you may be able to make a BBL compensation claim.

An increasing number of people also choose to undergo BBL surgery abroad. If you have experienced negligent treatment following a BBL procedure overseas, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can advise you on your circumstances, explain the potential options available and help you understand the next steps.

How can we help with Brazilian butt lift claims?

We are the number one UK law firm in the field of cosmetic surgery negligence and have helped many people whose BBL surgery has gone wrong. We understand how difficult it can be to recover from surgery that has gone wrong.

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors will provide you with thorough and professional guidance on the best approach to making a surgical fat transfer negligence claim, talking you through each step of the often complex legal process. We will keep you informed at every stage and handle the claim with as little disruption to your life as possible 

Find out more about your legal rights in our report: Cosmetic Surgery: Knowing Your Rights if Something Goes Wrong.

What does compensation cover?

Compensation following negligent BBL surgery can take account of both the physical and psychological impact of the injury. This may include compensation for pain, scarring, tissue damage, infection, additional treatment, loss of earnings and other related losses.

Psychological injuries can also form part of a claim. If a botched BBL has caused anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, distress about your appearance or another recognised psychological condition, this may be considered when assessing compensation.

You may also be able to recover reasonable additional post-operative costs that arose because of the negligent treatment, such as prescription charges, medications, compression garments or other specialist clothing, further consultations and travel expenses. These costs must usually be linked to the injury or additional treatment rather than expenses you would have expected to pay as part of the original BBL recovery.

The amount of compensation available will depend on the individual circumstances of the case, including the severity of the injury, the effect on your day-to-day life and whether further treatment, rehabilitation or support is required.

FAQs about Brazilian Butt Lift Compensation

How does BBL surgery work?

A Brazilian butt lift (BBL), also known as gluteal fat grafting, is a cosmetic procedure that uses a person’s own body fat to change the shape and volume of the buttocks. This fat transfer procedure usually begins with liposuction, where fat is removed from areas such as the abdomen, waist, back or thighs.

The removed fat is then processed before being carefully injected into selected areas of the buttocks. The aim is to create a fuller or more contoured appearance while also reshaping the areas where fat has been removed.

Not all transferred fat will survive after surgery, so the final result can take time to become clear. The outcome can also depend on factors such as surgical technique, aftercare and how the body heals.

BBL surgery is a significant procedure with recognised risks. Cosmetic surgery providers and surgeons carrying out gluteal fat grafting should follow appropriate safety standards, assess whether the procedure is suitable and provide clear information about the risks, expected results and recovery.

What is the average recovery for BBL surgery?

Recovery after BBL surgery varies, but swelling, bruising and discomfort are common for the first 1–2 weeks, while pain can continue for several days or weeks.

Patients are generally advised to avoid prolonged sitting or direct pressure on the buttocks for around 2 weeks, although some surgeons recommend restrictions for up to 6–8 weeks to protect the transferred fat.

Light daily activities may be resumed gradually during the first few weeks, while strenuous exercise is usually delayed until around 6–8 weeks after surgery.

Swelling can continue to settle over several weeks, and the final shape may not become clear until around 3 months or longer, as the transferred fat stabilises. Patients should always follow the recovery timetable provided by their surgeon, as individual advice can differ.

What time limits are there for BBL compensation claims?

If you are considering a medical negligence claim following a botched BBL, you will usually have three years to start court proceedings. This three-year period generally runs from the date the negligent treatment occurred or from the date you first became aware that your injury may have been connected to the treatment, if this was later.

There can be exceptions to the standard time limit, so it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible if you believe negligent BBL surgery has caused you harm. Starting the process early also gives your solicitor time to obtain medical records, investigate what happened and secure the evidence needed to support your claim for compensation.

What expert evidence is needed to make a cosmetic surgery compensation claim?

Independent medical expert evidence can help establish whether your BBL treatment fell below an acceptable standard of care, whether this caused or worsened your injuries, and what impact the harm may have in the future. An expert may review your records, assess injuries such as scarring, tissue damage or asymmetry, and consider whether further treatment or psychological support is needed. Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors arrange the expert evidence needed to support your claim.