28.05.2026 15:00
In Brazil, 27-year-old Barbara Laura Souza Flix passed away during a buttock augmentation surgery known as the "Brazilian Butt Lift." Her health deteriorated during the procedure, and her heart stopped. Doctors' intervention lasting about an hour was unsuccessful. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, and it is believed that the cause of death may be fat embolism. It was revealed that a similar death occurred at the same clinic in 2021.
A death during an aesthetic operation in Brazil has become a national issue. Barbara Laura Souza Flix, 27, living in the city of Belo Horizonte, applied to a private clinic for a "Brazilian Butt Lift" operation, where fat taken from the abdomen and back areas was injected into the hip area.
SHE FAINTED DURING THE SURGERY
It was reported that Barbara Laura Souza Flix's health condition suddenly worsened during the operation. The medical team stated that they noticed a serious drop in the young woman's lung ventilation levels during the fat transfer procedure.
It was expressed that doctors intervened for more than an hour after the young woman's heart stopped, but she could not be saved despite all efforts.
Authorities announced that Barbara lost her life at the scene at 12:20 PM.
SUSPICION: FAT EMBOLISM
According to information in the local press, the operation was performed at the Instituto Mineiro de Obesidade, a private center in Belo Horizonte.
Teams conducting the investigation are focusing on the possibility that a fat embolism may have caused the young woman's death.
After the incident, the police went to the clinic and started an investigation, while Barbara's body was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy.
FAMILY DEMANDS INVESTIGATION
It was learned that Barbara, who worked as a sales consultant, was single and had no children. Her relatives said that the young woman had no chronic illnesses.
Barbara's cousin, Ingrid Ester Martins Picoreli, stated that the young woman dreamed of living abroad, saying, "She was very cheerful, full of life, and determined." Family members expressed that there were question marks regarding the operation process and the duration of intervention.
A SIMILAR DEATH HAD OCCURRED AT THE SAME CLINIC
While the doctor who performed the operation was identified as Pablo Meneghetti, it was reported that neither the doctor nor the clinic made a detailed statement about the incident. Meanwhile, it emerged that a 39-year-old woman had died from a pulmonary embolism in a similar manner at the same clinic in 2021.
"ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS AESTHETIC OPERATIONS"
The "Brazilian Butt Lift" operation is considered among the riskiest aesthetic procedures worldwide. According to data published by international plastic surgery organizations in 2018, it was stated that the death rate in BBL operations can rise up to 1 in 3,000. Experts highlight that this rate is much higher compared to other aesthetic operations.