Phyna gets BBL at same clinic where socialite died

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Phyna Otabor has joined Nigeria’s growing list of celebrities who have gone under the knife for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure, weeks after the death of socialite Elena Jessica from complications linked to the same surgery.

The procedure was performed at CGE Healthcare, the same facility where Jessica underwent liposuction and fat transfer to her hips, buttocks, and calves in February before her death — a tragedy that prompted widespread warnings from medical professionals against succumbing to social pressure over cosmetic enhancements.

Sharing her experience on social media, Phyna expressed delight at her results, particularly after her first post-surgery massage.

“Finally did it. No regrets,” she wrote, adding: “Phyna and flat tummy used to be far apart, like we were going our separate ways. Look at me now.”

She also explained her decision to opt for surgery over the gym, saying that gym visits had become too distracting, with fans constantly seeking photos and content.

The development carries an ironic dimension: Phyna once publicly criticised fellow housemate Chichi for undergoing a cosmetic procedure. She has now had the same.

BBL surgery, which involves removing fat from areas such as the abdomen and thighs through liposuction before injecting it into the buttocks, has become a booming industry in Nigeria.

Celebrities including Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Eke, Toke Makinwa, Nengi Hampson, and Destiny Etiko are among those reported to have undergone the procedure.

CGE Healthcare founder and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Chidinma Akpa had, following Jessica’s death, urged women to ensure that any decision to pursue cosmetic surgery was personal and deliberate — never driven by external pressure.