Marilha Menezes Antunes: Young mum dies after ‘birthday present’ bum lift operation in Rio de Janeiro

A young mother has died after going under the knife for a butt lift operation.

Marilha Menezes Antunes, 28, decided to have the surgery as part of her birthday celebration.

The planned procedure was considered standard, involving liposuction on her back, and fat grafting to her buttocks.

Lea Carolina, Ms Antunes’ sister, accompanied her to Amacor Hospital in the Campo Grande, part of the West Zone in Rio de Janeiro alongside their father for the surgery on Monday.

She says her sister was healthy, and had planned and prepared months in advance for the procedure.

“This doctor was recommended by a co-worker from Campo Grande. My sister did her research, felt confident, and made all the arrangements,” Ms Carolina told globo.com.

“She set the date and asked me to accompany her. I asked if she was sure, and she said yes. She turned 28 on the September 1 and took time off to have the surgery.”

The 28-year-old suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest during the surgery, and medical staff were tragically unable to revive her.

A preliminary report from the hospital indicates the death was caused by a “preforating-blunt force” to the kidney, as well as internal bleeding.

A investigation into her death has been launched by the Rio Regional Medical Council.

Ms Antunes is survived by her six-year-old son, who she lived with on Governador Island.

She worked as an airline occupational safety technician at Galeao International Airport, and was a keen traveller herself, having been to Portugal, Italy, France, Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.

“She loved to travel. She was easy to navigate. She knew Paris, Cancún, and Portugal. She took her son to see the snow and to explore the Northeast,” Ms Carolina said.

Tributes are flowing for Ms Antunes and her family on social media.

“This is so sad. My condolences to all family and friends. May God comfort your hearts,” one Facebook user wrote.

Others raised concerns over the cosmetic industry, and the pressure to “bounce back” after childbirth.

“Excessive vanity is blinding people who want to go in search of a perfect body. Perfection is you’re alive, healthy, and have a family. You’re dead, it’s all over and where is vanity? The alert is on! Less is more. Sad to hear of the passing of a beautiful young lady,” one user commented.