Beautician-TikToker and other trans women victims share their botched surgery stories

A beautician and content creator from Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte is using her platform to inspire those like her who were victimized by a failed aesthetic procedure.

According to the recent episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Vinia's story was first featured on the show in 2017, alongside her friends Maui and Nina, whose faces turned swollen and hardened after availing of a discounted cheek enhancement procedure.

From the usual price of P20,000 to P50,000, they only paid P500 to have the procedure done in their homes. Instead of fillers, melted petroleum jelly was used for their procedure.

The results looked good at first, but things started to change six months later.

After the episode aired in 2017, a clinic offered the group a free facial liposuction to remove the petroleum jelly. However, Vinia only completed two rounds of the procedure.

Eventually Nina came forward to reveal that they were the one who injected petroleum jelly into their faces. However, Vinia denied this, and they have parted ways since then.

Seven years later, Nina and Maui's faces are almost back to normal while Vinia's face still looks different.

More victims come forward

Recently, Vinia decided to share her experience on TikTok. As a result, more Filipina trans women came forward to share their similar failed procedure experiences.

Erika, a friend of Vinia, also injected melted petroleum jelly mixed with mineral oil on her face.

"Parang nadala lang din ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Parang insecure sa mga kagandahan. Parang naaadik na rin sa inject. 'Yung tinurok ko, hinalo-halo ko lang. Tapos malaki ang syringe na ginagamit ko 'yung pag-inject sa baboy," Erika said.

["I felt insecure because all my friends looked so beautiful, so I started injecting all sorts of things into my face. I would even use the big syringe, the kind used for pigs."]

Donna, who is from the town of Magallanes in Agusan del Norte, reportedly had collagen injections in 2012.

Her nose grew larger and almost reached her mouth.

"Sabi ng doktor 5 to 10 years talagang may side effect 'yun. Hindi naman ako sinabihan nu'ng nag-inject sa akin. Kung alam ko lang talaga, hindi ako papayag," Donna said.

["The doctor told me that I'd be living with the side effects for 5 to 10 years. I wasn't told back then. If I had known, I wouldn't have done it."]

Meanwhile, friends Aiko and Aira requested to have collagen injected in their cheeks, nose, and forehead. However, they suspect mineral oil was used on their faces.

Vinia, Erika, Donna, Aiko, and Aika could only wish for a solution to the mishaps caused by their procedures.

They are among the many transgender victims of botched surgeries in the Philippines.

Currently, there is no concrete data available on the total number of transgender individuals affected by botched surgeries or fraudulent procedures in the country.

"It is very important for patients to research their doctors. Kailangan din qualified na surgeon, who really trained for that procedure. As far as our society, we have a website, 'yung www.pscs.ph. You can check the list. We can guarantee na itong mga members namin may pinagdaanan na pag-aaral, pagsusuri," Dr. Al Farabi Lee Jaafar, President of Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery said.

["It is very important for patients to research their doctors. Surgeons must be qualified and specifically trained for the procedures they perform. We have a website, www.pscs.ph, where people can check the list of qualified doctors, and we can guarantee that they have undergone the necessary studies."]

What charges can be filed for botched surgery?

According to the Atty. Spocky Farolan, "Maaari kang magdemanda ng isang civil case laban sa mga mali o hindi tamang procedure na ginawa sa 'yo."

["Anyone can file a civil case against those who performed incorrect or improper procedures."]

"Kung 'yung reckless imprudence na 'yun ay nagdulot ng kapinsalaan sa iyong katawan, maaari itong ituring mga serious physical injuries. So maaaring ito ay reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries. Kung nagpanggap na doctor, mas maraming ka puwede ikaso kasama na d'yan ang estafa," Atty. Farolan added.

["If their reckless imprudence caused harm to your body, it could be considered reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries. If the person who performed the surgery is not a doctor, they could face additional charges, including estafa."]

Meanwhile, the Society of Transwomen in the Philippines said that the reason the issue is not talked about enough is because they're a minority.

"Maraming nagpapa-surgery sa aming mga trans women kasi isa itong parte ng aming gender affirming journey kasi we're affected of systemic oppression. Nagpapaturok sila sa bagsak- presyo na mga serbisyo dahil dahil accessible ito sa kanila."

"There are a lot of trans women who undergo these types of surgery as part of their gender-affirming journey. They look for low-cost services because these are the ones accessible to them.]

Vinia motivated everyone who shared the same experience with her.

"Pantay-pantay tayo sa mundo. Walang mayaman walang mahirap. Walang panget, walang maganda. Kahit ano pa mang estado natin sa ating kasarian, anak tayo ng Diyos," Vinia said.

["We are all equal. Whether you're rich, poor, ugly, beautiful, or whatever gender you are, we are all children of God."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News