A Maryland woman was found dead over the weekend after getting illegal butt injections inside a Queens basement. She's the second woman in the city to die from the procedure in less than 15 months.
Dr. Scot Glasberg, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, explained the basics of the increasingly common practice to DNAinfo New York.
How is it done, both legally and illegally?
Glasberg said the process is typically conducted by transferring fat from one part of the body to the other. But when the operation is performed illegally, it usually involves inserting professional-grade silicone, which often isn’t sterile, into the patient's buttocks with a needle.
What happens when professional-grade silicone is used?
“If it’s not sterile, you run a tremendous risk of infection. It can get in blood vessels and cause an embolism [which is a blockage of an artery],” Glasberg said.
How much does the legal procedure cost?
The procedure usually costs $7,000 but can reach upwards of $15,000, Glasberg said.
“If you’re walking into a garage or basement, you should walk the other way,” he said.
When it’s done illegally, it costs significantly less, and that’s how they lure the patients in, Glasberg said. "Cheaper is not better. Walking into some garage should be a red flag right away.”
What are the side effects of this kind of procedure?
Typical side effects can consist of bleeding and bruising, Glasberg said. “(But) silicone tends to sit around and form scar tissue,” Glasberg said.
Why is this procedure becoming more prevalent?
"Clearly buttocks augmentation is on the rise because of Kim Kardashian, et cetera," he said. "Unfortunately, patients aren't being careful and doing their homework."
