Beverly Hills Surgeon Uncovers Shocking Trend in Illegal Buttock Enhancements
A prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon has revealed the disturbing extent of injuries caused by illegal silicone injections, following the murder conviction of an unlicensed practitioner known as the 'butt lady'. Dr J Timothy Katzen, who specialises in skin tightening and butt lift surgeries, told the Daily Mail how his practice became inundated with patients suffering catastrophic complications from non-FDA approved procedures.
The Deadly Consequences of Discount Cosmetic Procedures
What began with occasional patients seeking help for botched injections quickly became a tidal wave of cases, with Dr Katzen treating between 30 to 100 patients who claimed to have received injections from Libby Adame, 55, and her daughter Alicia Galaz, 26. The surgeon described horrifying scenes where silicone leaked so profusely from patients' buttocks that it adhered to operating tables, while others developed palm-sized areas of dead skin and permanent, gaping wounds.
Last month, a jury found Adame guilty of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a license following the death of Hollywood actress Cindyana Santangelo in March. The court heard how Santangelo died after receiving silicone injections into her buttocks at her Malibu home. Last Wednesday, Adame was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and must serve at least 15 years before becoming eligible for parole.
A Pattern of Dangerous Practices and Previous Convictions
This marks the second time Adame has faced justice for fatal silicone injections. In a separate case last year, she was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the 2019 death of 26-year-old Karissa Rajpaul, who similarly died following buttock injections. Adame received four years and four months for that offence, while her daughter Galaz was sentenced to three years and eight months. Both were released after the trial having already served their time since their 2021 arrests.
Prosecutors revealed during the 2024 trial that security footage showed Adame fleeing a California salon in 2018 as paramedics rushed in to treat another woman who subsequently died from injections. No charges were filed in that incident.
Dr Katzen believes these cases represent only the tip of the iceberg, having consulted with approximately 3,000 people who received silicone injections from various unlicensed practitioners. He warned that the problem extends beyond Adame and her daughter, with numerous injectors operating across the US and globally.
The Lethal Economics Behind Illegal Cosmetic Enhancements
The appeal of silicone injections lies in their dramatically lower cost compared to legitimate procedures. While a proper Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) costs around $8,000 and requires surgical recovery time, illegal silicone injections might cost only several hundred dollars and be administered in homes or salons.
However, the risks are catastrophic. Silicone can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart or lungs, causing blockages that lead to heart failure and death. Other complications include severe infections, sepsis, autoimmune reactions, and permanent disfigurement. The FDA advised plastic surgeons to stop injecting silicone for enhancement purposes as early as 1992 due to safety concerns.
Dr Katzen's assistant, Ariel Ajimura, highlighted the regulatory grey area: 'The FDA says people should not inject a 'large volume' of silicone, but what is a large volume? That's why people are getting away with so much.' Silicone remains readily available in hardware stores for legitimate home repairs, making access simple for unlicensed practitioners.
Despite her conviction, Adame has maintained her innocence regarding Santangelo's death, claiming she only attended for a 'consultation' and that another person performed the injections. No evidence has emerged to support this claim, and her lawyers have stated they will appeal the verdict.
Dr Katzen emphasised that complications from these illegal injections typically emerge within five years, with patients often developing pain from scar tissue buildup, joint problems, skin bumps, and hardening skin. The only effective treatment involves complex surgery to remove as much silicone as possible—a far cry from the simple procedure promised by unlicensed injectors.
