Jessica Leon, a 30-year-old content creator from California, says a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) performed in Tijuana, Mexico, left her with one buttock larger than the other and dents on the side of her body. She also says she nearly died after losing a significant amount of blood during the procedure.
Inspired by celebrities, she sought surgery
Leon says the pressure to look a certain way, influenced by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, led her to undergo a BBL in 2021. She had wanted the procedure since her pre-teens, believing it would boost her confidence after years of bullying at school.
At 22, she decided to go ahead after seeing a co-worker's results. Drawn in by a £4,000 promotion (around $5,500), she travelled to Tijuana without properly researching the clinic or surgeon.
Two surgeries, worse results
Leon says she woke up from the first surgery devastated, with one buttock larger than the other. She described the recovery as the worst pain she had ever experienced and says she lost so much blood that she was told a different outcome was possible if staff had not acted quickly.
Despite the trauma, she returned to the same surgeon for a revision after he offered to fix the result for free, with her covering anaesthesia and other costs. The second surgery made things worse, leaving one side even bigger than the other.
Research revealed red flags
Only after the second procedure did Leon begin researching the surgeon and clinic, finding numerous negative reviews she had not seen before. She calls this a huge red flag.
The experience has affected her mental health, leaving her struggling with insecurity and depression. She has also faced harsh criticism online, with some people blaming her for what happened.
Sharing her story and looking ahead
Leon has continued to speak openly about her experience on TikTok, where her videos have reached thousands and prompted other women to share similar stories. She estimates she has spent around £9,500 (approximately $13,000) on cosmetic procedures, including two BBLs, liposuction in multiple areas, lip filler and Botox, as well as over £800 a month (around $1,000) maintaining her appearance.
In recent years, she has focused on improving her results through fitness, spending three years training in the gym to try to even up her buttocks. Her long-term goal is reconstructive surgery, though she says the cost remains a major barrier.
Leon says the experience has helped her grow into a stronger and more self-aware person, and she hopes her story will serve as a warning to others considering cosmetic surgery.
