Thursday, May 2
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Podcast: What’s boosting the ‘Brazilian Butt Lift’?

It’s all over social media, but it’s also a dangerous cosmetic surgical procedure.

It’s a dangerous cosmetic surgical procedure that’s all over social media. About one in every 3,000 women who undergo a Brazilian Butt Lift – or BBL – will die, but the stark statistics haven’t stopped its popularity. In the United States, for instance, the number of BBLs has doubled in just a few years.

Fuelling the trend are social media photos and influencers who show off their hourglass shapes – including big breasts, tiny waists, and a big bottom. It’s a particularly prized body type in some cultures and, in modern times, it’s been popularised by superstars like Kim Kardashian.

We follow Shami, a 23-year-old who’s considering having a BBL. Before she makes a decision, she speaks to social media influencers, her close friends, and medical professionals who help guide her through her choice. Will she – or won’t she?

Presenter: Anisa Subedar
Reporter: Lola Mosanya

(Photo caption: artist’s impression of a Brazilian Butt Lift/ Photo credit: BBC)

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BBC Trending is the BBC’s social media investigation team, bringing you in-depth reporting on our online lives.