A British-Nigerian businessman and social media personality has died following a penis enlargement procedure during a trip to Thailand.
Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo, 43, died in Bangkok in March after receiving injectable filler at an unnamed clinic. A UK inquest has now concluded that the procedure led to a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Ubiribo, who was also known online as “Denisi” and “Ego”, was visiting Bangkok with his wife, Danielle Simba Allen, when he underwent the cosmetic procedure on March 5.
Penis enlargement procedure in Bangkok
Evidence presented at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court stated that around 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis.
The clinic where the procedure took place has not been publicly identified.
Following the procedure, Ubiribo and his wife returned to their Marriott hotel and went for a massage.
During the massage, he complained of chest pain and reportedly lost consciousness twice.
He was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital, where he was initially responsive. His wife told doctors about the recent filler injections.
Doctors suspected he had suffered a pulmonary embolism and planned a CT scan. His condition deteriorated before the scan could take place. Medical staff attempted to resuscitate him for more than 100 minutes, but he died in the early hours of March 6.
UK inquest links death to cosmetic procedure
A postmortem examination carried out in the UK later found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the procedure.
Assistant Coroner Jean Harkin concluded that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism resulting from the injection of the cosmetic filler.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. It is a potentially fatal medical emergency.
The findings were also consistent with the autopsy carried out in Thailand.
Who was Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo?
Ubiribo had built a large social media following and reportedly had around 185,000 Instagram followers.
He was known for sharing his luxury lifestyle online and reportedly owned property in London and Los Angeles.
He married fashion designer and socialite Danielle Simba Allen in Zimbabwe in 2022.
Ubiribo was buried in London in May. Reports surrounding his funeral said Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido attended the service.
Thailand cosmetic procedure raises safety questions
The case has drawn renewed attention to the risks associated with injectable cosmetic procedures, including penile filler treatments.
Hyaluronic acid is widely used as a cosmetic filler, but injecting any substance into the body carries potential medical risks.
Ubiribo’s death does not establish wrongdoing by the Thai clinic involved, and the clinic has not been publicly named.
The key finding from the London inquest was more specific. The coroner concluded that the cosmetic procedure resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism.
The case also highlights the importance of understanding the risks involved before undergoing elective cosmetic procedures overseas.
For anyone considering cosmetic treatment in Thailand or elsewhere, medical professionals recommend researching the provider, checking appropriate qualifications and discussing potential complications before proceeding.
