The Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan and plastic surgeon, Prof Dr Grace Ayensu

The Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan and renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Prof Dr Grace Ayensu has issued a strong caution to young women seeking Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures, urging them to reconsider the long-term health implications.

Speaking at the 2025 Medico-Legal Symposium, Dr Ayensu emphasised the potential risks associated with the surgery, particularly as women age.

Dr Ayensu warned that the added weight and fat to the hips from BBLs could pose serious skeletal issues in later life, noting that "bones in the 40s or 50s may not be able to support the added flesh."

She advised women not to pursue the surgery solely for aesthetic reasons or to attract male attention, arguing that such motives often do not lead to lasting relationships.

“Men may be drawn to the appearance, but marrying you is another matter entirely,” she remarked.

“Many will end up choosing different partners in the end.” She also cautioned against seeking BBL procedures from multiple doctors after being turned down by others, revealing that she has personally refused numerous such requests.

“There are no medications that can naturally give women large hips,” she stated, condemning the trend among Ghanaian celebrities who undergo BBLs and promote them on social media. She described this behaviour as dangerous and misleading for the youth.

Dr Ayensu used the symposium’s platform to discuss broader issues in Ghana’s healthcare system under the theme “Stemming the Wave of Iatrogenic Injuries and Deaths.”

She acknowledged the heavy workload health professionals face, urging them to maintain patience and empathy toward patients.

She emphasised that patients have the right to ask questions and should not be dismissed or judged for seeking clarity about their treatment. “Doctors must not discriminate, regardless of a patient's background. Every patient deserves the same level of care and attention,” she said, encouraging healthcare workers to explain diagnoses and treatments more thoroughly.

Patients Share Personal Experiences

The event also featured testimonies from patients who have faced challenges in the healthcare system. An HIV-positive attendee decried the stigma from some health workers, stating that assumptions about how patients contract the virus are both harmful and false.

“We are judged and isolated,” the patient said, stressing that HIV can be contracted through many means, not just sexual activity.

A diabetes patient highlighted the dangers of improper blood collection techniques, warning that repeated thumb pricks can damage fingerprints. She also called for increased attention to diabetes care, noting that approximately 45 million people are currently living with the condition.

She recounted a tragic incident where a patient died after a nurse improperly administered a 70-unit insulin dose, allegedly due to a lack of understanding.

A renal patient added to the discussion by calling on the government to supply at least two to three dialysis machines to each major health facility to handle emergencies. “People die because there are not enough dialysis machines when they’re needed most,” the patient said.

The 2025 Medico-Legal Symposium was organised by the Patients Rights Watch NGO.