If you really must have this kind of cosmetic surgery, for God’s sake, do a little research. And don’t go to a freestanding clinic that’s not in a hospital!
In April, after a year-long investigation, the Florida Board of Medicine revoked the license of a Miami doctor for seriously injuring four different patients in 2015 while performing a procedure known as the “Brazilian butt lift” and liposuction surgeries. But a judge overrode that decision and the doctor continued to practice. Two months later, on the same day the Florida Court of Appeals denied a requires from the board to stop the doctor from doing liposuctions, a 30-year female patient died in his clinic while he was performing an undisclosed procedure.
When emergency responders arrived at the Doral clinic, the doctor was performing CPR on the Illinois woman. She had stopped breathing in the middle of the procedure. She was pronounced dead a short time later at the Kendall Regional Medical Center.
During liposuction, fat is removed through a surgical incision with a metal rod. The rod is plunged in and out of the patient. The doctor advertises his specialty as the Brazilian butt lift, transferring the fat that is removed from parts of the body to the patient’s buttocks.
In May 2015, he perforated the organs of two different patients with the metal rod and caused two other patients to develop serious infections from the liposuction.
In addition to the complaints and investigation by the board, the state health department has also sought to stop the doctor from performing liposuctions. They have charged him with repeated medical malpractice. Despite the numerous restrictions and revocations of his medical license, the decisions are always overturned and he goes right back to operating.
There is also at least one malpractice suit that has been filed against the doctor. The plaintiff in that case had gone to the doctor for breast augmentation and revision surgery. Shortly after the surgery, the woman began vomiting blood and developed excruciating pain. Other complications developed and the doctor did a second surgery four months later to fix the issues. But it didn’t work.
Upon hearing of the patient’s death, Attorney Domnick said, “This goes beyond appalling. The fact that the court continues to let this man practice is unacceptable. Had they not overruled the board, this woman would still be alive.”
