A mum's bid for a bigger bum nearly cost her her life when she was admitted to hospital with sepsis days after having a 'liquid BBL' she spotted on Instagram. Laura Bassnett booked an appointment with what she believed was a reputable salon for March 16 to further enhance her bottom non-surgically after stumbling upon the clinic on Instagram.
The 29-year-old forked out £2,000 to have one litre of filler injected into her bum cheeks, a treatment popularised by the likes of Love Island and Towie stars. However, 30 minutes into the treatment Laura began feeling unwell - claiming she fell unconscious onto the bed in 'excruciating pain' halfway through the appointment.
The mum left the clinic looking 'intoxicated' and said she was going 'in and out of consciousness' on the three-hour car journey home. After days of agony, Laura, who lives in Derby, Derbyshire, was rushed to A&E at Royal Derby Hospital where medics told the mum she had developed sepsis.
At one stage during her hospital admission, Laura feared she would lose a limb as she lost feeling in her left leg and was subsequently unable to walk. Laura said doctors did not know what filler had been injected into her bum - and considered surgery if her symptoms did not improve.
Luckily, the mum made a full recovery but said her 'eyes have been opened' to the dangers of these procedures. Laura said: "After about 30 minutes, I didn't know what was happening to me. I actually passed out and went unconscious.
"I came round and felt clammy and out of it. They asked if I could carry on but my legs felt like jelly. He said 'you've done really well. You've got not long left'. I got up and carried on but the pain was excruciating, I could feel everything.
"The procedure finished and it was like I'd drank a bottle of vodka. I couldn't get my words out. I was holding onto my friend and could barely walk. I was being sick in the car, going in and out of consciousness."
In the following few days, Laura was still in a considerable amount of pain and was rushed to Derby Royal Hospital's A&E after the agony became too much to bear. Laura said: "I got through the door and practically collapsed, I went straight through. My heart rate was going at 140bpm, my temperature was 39.8 degrees.
"The consultant looked at my bum and it was really hot on one side. They did some blood tests and put me straight on an antibiotic drip. Then the second day, I was told I had sepsis.
"I thought I was going to die. It was so selfish and stupid at the time but I did ask, 'are you going to have to take this filler out? Is that the worst case scenario?' And the doctor said 'no Laura, the worst case scenario is you could potentially lose your life'."
Doctors told Laura that they were unable to dissolve the filler and suggested surgery if her condition continued to deteriorate. Matters took a turn for the worse as Laura then lost feeling in her left leg, concerning medics that her blood supply was being cut off - and she could face amputation.
Laura said: "I couldn't move my leg. I couldn't walk. They said we need an emergency MRI scan to check the blood circulation in your leg is flowing. I said 'am I going to lose my leg?' They said 'obviously we'll do everything we can for that not to happen'.
"Luckily the MRI came back clear and it was actually the swelling pushing against my nerves which was restricting the movement in my legs. That was scary."
Laura was discharged from hospital after a week-long admission - commenting that the experience has made her feel lucky to be alive. Laura said: "This has really opened my eyes. I thought I was being safe getting a non-surgical procedure done. My boys could've lost their mum. I feel lucky to be alive.
"I thought I might never be able to walk down or lose my leg. If I hadn't gone to hospital when I did, it could've been a different story. I regret this - I would never do it again. If I knew what I knew now, I would never have had it done. I say to girls it's not worth risking your life."
