Botched buttock augmentation in Thailand lands Chinese influencer in hospital

A Chinese social media influencer is recovering in Thailand after a botched buttock augmentation procedure involving an excessive amount of hyaluronic acid. The incident, which has garnered significant attention on Chinese social media, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures.

The influencer, Ms Meng (surname only), received over 400 injections of hyaluronic acid during a single session at a Thai hospital on June 1. Shortly after, she developed an infection in her buttocks, prompting her to seek immediate medical attention. Doctors advised surgical removal of the injected material to prevent further complications.

Meng, who boasts over 270,000 followers on Douyin (China's TikTok equivalent), has a social media bio stating, "Spent 2.4 million yuan on my body."

This is not an isolated case. In August last year, a woman in Hangzhou suffered complications after receiving buttock implant surgery followed by additional hyaluronic acid injections at a beauty clinic. The combination resulted in a persistent fever, swelling, and ulceration, ultimately necessitating implant removal.

Xu Jinghong, a plastic surgeon at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, emphasizes the dangers of using hyaluronic acid for breast or buttock augmentation. "This approach is medically unproven and carries significant health risks," he said.