Category Archives: plastic surgery safety

plastic surgery horror stories, precautions

Miami plastic surgeon tied to multiple deaths

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From the Miami Herald comes a terrifying story about a plastic surgery group tied to multiple patient deaths.  The surgical group which operated out of three different south Florida clinics are responsible for at least three deaths, including the recent death of a young woman from West Virginia, Heather Meadows, 29,  who had traveled to south Florida looking for cheap plastic surgery.

bandaid

In addition to this case, come reports that the group housed post-operative patients in a local horse stable.  The clinics; Encore Plastic Surgery in Hialeah, and two Miami clinics; Vanity Plastic Surgery and Spectrum Aesthetics have also been linked with multiple serious medical complications including the case of Nyosha Fowler who was comatose for 28 days after surgeons at the clinic accidentally perforated her intestine and then injected the fecally contaminated fluid into her sciatic nerve during a liposuction/ fat transfer procedure.  Ms. Fowler, who is lucky to be alive, is now permanently disabled and facing a two-million dollar medical bill for the life-saving care she received at an outside facility.

Now, Heather Meadow’s death has been ruled accidental, which is no comfort to her family or the numerous patients harmed by these surgeons. While the state of Florida has reprimanded two of the surgeons in the surgical group in the past, this hasn’t affected their practice, and the surgical clinics continue to accept new patients from across the United States and operate on unsuspecting clients.

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Beauty, at any price?

While Florida state health officials issued an emergency restriction prohibiting one of the group’s surgeons, Dr. Osak Omulepu from operating, no charges have been made despite cell phone photographs documenting horrific conditions at the horse stables where patients were forced to stay while they recuperated from various procedures.  In fact, Dr. Osak Omulepu continues to have four star ratings on several online sites.  His license is listed as active on the Florida Medical Board, with no complaints listed under his profile page.  However, under the disciplinary actions page, there are eight separate listings that do not appear on his general profile.

One of these Complaints, (posted here) related to the death of a 31-year-old woman due to repeated liver perforation during liposuction.  The complaint also cites several other cases against the doctor and notes that Dr. Osak Omulepu is not a board certified plastic surgeon.  In fact, according to the complaints filed in March, the good doctor, holds no certification in any recognized medical specialty.

Related posts:

Plastic surgery safety & Buttloads of Pain

Patient satisfaction scores vs. clinical outcomes: The Yelp! approach to surgery

Is your ‘cosmetic surgeon’ really even a surgeon?

Patient Safety & Medical Tourism

Liposuction in a Myrtle Beach apartment

Reason #6

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Reason # 6

Now this Florida story has botched written all over it – from start to finish..  It starts with an insecure man seeking ‘underground’ penile injections from an unlicensed person for penis enlargement.. and from there, it only goes downhill..

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From bad to worse..

After being deformed and defrauded by a scam artist named Nery Gonzalez who offered illegal, and dangerous ‘penile enhancement treatments’, the bargain-seeking Florida resident stumbled into the offices of another incompetent provider,Dr. Mark Schreiber, a plastic surgeon who lost his license several years ago after several botched plastic surgeries following initial investigations in the deaths of two of his patients.

Dr. Mark Schreiber – multiple patient deaths, license revoked, but had a nice website

After the death of the second patient (also a penis enlargement case) in 2002, Florida revoked Dr. Schreiber’s license.  In 2008, he went to prison for practicing medicine (and operating on patients) without a license.

In the most recent case, the victim is now deformed, and unable to perform sexually due to his disfigurement.

Source article:

Clary, Michael (2015).  Penis ‘mutilated’ after surgery; ex-Boynton doctor from Tamarac accused.   Sun Sentinel, August 2015.

Related posts:

Just another reason for Latin American Surgery.com

Reason #146 – a cautionary tale

Plastic surgery safety & Buttloads of pain

Cement, Fix-a-flat and Superglue are not beauty aids

Is your surgeon really a doctor?

See the plastic surgery archives for even more articles.

Ebola and medical tourism

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biohazard

There’s a new editorial over at the IMJT on Ebola, medical tourists and the medical travel industry.  In the article, “Ebola: a hot topic for the next medical tourism event?” by Ian Youngman, he explores the potential pitfalls from medical tourists who are seeking treatment overseas.  As an insurance expert, who makes his living by preparing for “What if?” scenarios, the author offers valuable insight on a topic that has provoked wide speculation and fear-mongering among the general media.

Mr. Youngman explores current medical screening at airports, the impact on current medical tourists as well as the potential impact of a global pandemic/panic on the medical tourism industry.  Mr. Youngman urges for a clear, reasoned and cohesive discussion and response from leaders in the medical tourism industry.

passport w money

Death of young patient raises questions of safety

IN other news, the BBC is reporting on the recent death of a 24 year old British medical tourist.  While the BBC article offers few details on the patient who died during a liposuction procedure in Thailand, a more in-depth report from the UK Mail reports that the woman stopped breathing after receiving anesthesia at the private medical clinic.  The article reports that this was a repeat visit for the patient, who had previously undergone another plastic surgery procedure at the clinic.

Now questions are being raised about the doctor’s qualifications to perform the procedure, as well as the lack of availability of life-saving medical equipment at the medical clinic.  The doctor at the clinic, Dr. Sombob Saensiri has been arrested while this case is being investigated.

Note: There are conflicting reports regarding the exact circumstances of this patient’s death.  An Asian story reports that the patient had returned after a recent surgery with complaints of a developing infection.

Related posts:  Plastic surgery safety archives

Plastic surgery safety: Know before you go radio interview

Is your cosmetic surgeon really even a surgeon?

Liposuction in a Myrtle Beach apartment

 

Days of Summer

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A cautionary tale for my on-line friends in another botched surgery case in Florida.

Let the buyer beware:

In the most recent case, four individuals have been arrested for impersonating surgeons and operating an unlicensed surgery clinic. According to the media reports, only one of the four people charged is a licensed physician, nurse or other trained healthcare provider – but that didn’t stop them from performing major operations such as liposuction and abdominoplasty procedures on their unknowing patients.  While Dr. William Marrocco* was the doctor on record for the clinic – patients report that he wasn’t the one operating!

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Unlike many of the ‘chop shops” we’ve written about that take place in garages, motels and private ‘parties’, in this scenario, unwary consumers were duped by a savvy group of criminals who had owned and operated the “Health and Beauty Cosmetic Surgery” clinic in downtown West Palm Beach.

*The good doctor Marrocco remains a legally licensed doctor in the state of Florida – though interestingly enough – he does not have prescriptive privileges.  One the Florida Department of Health website, Dr. Marrocco (whose secondary address corresponds with the clinic address) reports active licenses in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and Nebraska.

But let’s check it out… so I did my own preliminary online search –

Virginia: No records found.  No active or past licensees (expired in the last five years) found.  So he may have had one – but not recently.

Pennsylvania: William Charles Marrocco held a license in Pennsylvania for a brief two-year period between 1998 to 2000. This includes his period of medical residency training at Temple University Hospital.

Michigan: Three expired licenses – one for student status (resident) and one as a pharmacist.

Indiana: Dr. Marrocco was a licensed plastic surgeon in the state of Indiana from 2000 to 2011 and has a notation “reinstatement pending‘.  Maybe Dr. Marracco is planning on heading back to Indiana – where his license remains unblemished – despite the scandal surrounding the 2003  death of his wife after he performed liposuction on her).  License # 01052282A

Nebraska:  Expired, license #2909, educational license permit (training) affiliated with Indiana University

Jorge Nayib Alarcon Zambrano – (one of the individuals charged) is listed as a member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgeons – from Cali, Colombia.  So he may be a trained surgeon, just not a very good one (and not licensed in the United States).

Licensing isn’t everything..

Kind of goes to show some of the pitfalls of relying on licensing boards for consumer protection.  Dr. William Marrocco was a licensed plastic surgeon, but that’s little consolation for many patients at that West Palm Beach clinic.

In fairness to Dr. William Marrocco, Jorge Alarcon and the other individuals in the case – they have been charged with multiple counts, but have not been convicted of any crime.  Until that time, they remain innocent until proven guilty.

Apologies to my loyal readers for the long lapse in posts but my plate has been pretty full.  But I will be finishing my latest assignment in a few weeks and starting a couple of new projects for the summer months.

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I applied for and received a new assignment from Examiner.com to expand my focus to include more than just health topics.  Now I will be able to write more articles focusing on life and culture in Latin America.

Colombia Moda 2014

To kick-start my new assignment, I have applied to attend Colombia Moda 2014.

(official image from Colombia Moda / Inexmoda)

As many of you already know, I was able to attend last year – and got a fascinating glimpse into the fashion industry and the future of both fashion and consumerism.

Last year’s speakers were promoting the concept of “re-shoring” and changing from the traditional ‘seasonal’ lines and collections to an ongoing, evolving fashion line with new designs and items being designed, developed and sold to the public in shorter mini cycles.

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This year – I’ll be able to cover all of this – along with interviews with individual designers, fashion lines and the Colombian fashion and textile industry.  (Last year, my articles were focused on the role between fashion and plastic surgery).

Fashion is so intrinsic to Colombian life, and many parts of Latin America, so I am really excited about it.  It plays such an important role in the economic, social and an even personal lives of many Colombians.

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I won’t have an assistant this year – but I am getting a new lens for the event (I will be journalist/ photographer for the event).

After Colombia Moda, I will be flipping back and forth between writing about culture and my ‘usual’ medicine and health storylines.

I will be staying in Colombia for several weeks as well as covering the Latin American Association of Thoracics (ALAT) conference at the end of July.   It’s one of the biggest international conferences in thoracic medicine/ surgery with many of the legends of thoracic surgery planning to be in attendance.

Sponsors del Congreso ALAT 2014

In August, I’ll be heading across the globe to interview the head of an innovative surgical program.

I’ll be checking in along the way – and posting photos, interviews and articles as I go.

 

Plastic surgery safety & Buttloads of Pain

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Long time readers are familiar with our plastic surgery horror story archives. These archives (mainly) consist of cases of illegal/ unlicensed surgeons and botched plastic surgery procedures but there is also information on how to find a board certified surgeon.  Most of these cases take place in the United States where both clever marketing and underground clinics flourish due to the high costs of plastic surgery.

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Buttloads of Pain

Now there is a new documentary that explores the dangers of unlicensed operators and ‘booty enhancement’.

Thanks to my friend, Matt Rines for sending me the link to the Vice documentary,”Buttloads of Pain” which talks about and talks to victims of unlicensed (and illegal) gluteal augmentation procedures (such as direct injection of silicone and other substances).

Gluteal Augmentation Procedures

For more information on legitimate gluteal augmentation procedures, read our interviews with licensed plastic surgeons.

Gluteal implants – Interview with Dr. Gustavo Gaspar

Fat transfer : Dr. Luis Botero

Update: February 2014

For readers that have been asking about the background, history and the profound psychological and sociological impact of the ‘big booty’ and other Colombian influences on (global) plastic surgery trends & beauty ideals – this article by Mimi Yagoub at Colombia Reports may be a bit of an eye-opener.

Dr. Ivan Santos

Just another reason for Latinamericansurgery.com

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Dr. Ivan Santos

Colombian plastic surgeons operating

because you need someone who is objective (and informed) that is looking out for you, the patient..

In this article, at International Journal of Medical Travel, Kevin Pollard talks about the need for regulation of medical tourism in cosmetic surgery.  I wholeheartedly agree – in fact, Mr. Pollard and I conversed about this very topic in a series of emails last week.

After all – it is why I do what I do, and publish it here for my readers.  The industry does need to be regulated – medical tourism companies shouldn’t pick providers by “lowest bidder” and patients need to be protected (from unsanitary conditions, bad surgeons, and poor care).  But what form will this regulation take?

Will it be Joint Commission certification – which covers facilities and not the physicians (and their surgical practices themselves)?

Will it require facilities to pay a lot of money for a shiny badge?

Or will it be someone like me, low-key and independent, going into facilities at the behest of patients; interviewing surgeons and actually observing the process and talking to patients?

and who pays for this?  The beauty of what I do – is that I am independently (read: self) funded.  True, it hurts my wallet but I have no divided loyalties or outside interests in doing anything but reporting the unvarnished truth.

and ultimately – will this be done in a fair, open and honest way?  Or it is really a witch hunt led by disgruntled American and British plastic surgeons?  Will they bother to discriminate between excellent surgeons and incompetent ones who will it be by geography alone?

I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Is your ‘cosmetic surgeon’ really even a surgeon?

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The answer is “NO” for several disfigured patients in Australia, who later found out that a loophole in Australian licensing laws allowed Dentists and other medical (nonsurgeons) professionals to claim use of the title of ‘cosmetic surgeon’ without any formalized training or certification in plastic and reconstructive surgery (or even any surgery specialty at all).

In this article from the Sydney Morning Herald, Melissa Davey explains how dentists and other nonsurgical personnel skirted around laws designed to protect patients from exactly this sort of deceptive practice, and how this resulted in harm to several patients.

As readers will recall – we previously discussed several high-profile cases of similar instances in the United States, including a doctor charged in the deaths of several patients from his medical negligence.  In that case, a ‘homeopathic’  and “self-proclaimed” plastic surgeon, Peter Normann was criminally indicted in the intra-operative deaths of several of his patients.  The patients died while he was performing liposuction due to improper intubation techniques.

But at least, in both of the cases above – the people performing the procedures, presumably, had at a minimum, some training in a medical/ quasi-medical field..

Surgeon or a handyman

More frightening, is the ‘handyman’ cases that have plagued Las Vegas and several other American cities – where untrained smooth operators have preyed primarily on the Latino community – injecting cement, construction grade materials and even floor wax into their victims.

How to protect yourself from shady characters?  In our post, “Liposuction in a Myrtle Beach Apartment” we discuss some of the ways to verify a surgeon’s credentials.  We also talk about how not to be fooled by fancy internet ads and the like.  (Even savvy consumers can be fooled by circular advertisements designed to look like legitimate research articles as well as bogus credentials/ or ‘for-hire’ credentials*. )

*We will talk about some of the sketchy credentials in another post – but the field is growing, by leaps and bounds..More and more fly-by-night agencies are offering ‘credentials’ for a hefty fee (and not much else.)

Dr. Fix-a-flat strikes again!

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Syringe of unknown contents

 

 

 

Dr. Fix-a-flat (Oneal Morris) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida has been re-arrested as more victims of his scam surgeries have come forward.

This arrest comes as other American cities, (most notably, Las Vegas) make a concerted push to protect consumers with a new campaign against fraudulent practices and unlicensed physicians.  However, these ‘campaigns’ are primarily informational commercials aimed at the Latino community.

There is a new statewide task force aimed at addressing these incidents, but as of yet – there have been no legislative changes to protect victims of these scams.  Equally disturbing, in at least one of these cases – one of the pretend doctors used his fake status to sexually assault his victims.

In another disturbing sidenote out of Nevada – Teva pharmaceuticals settled a case against them for the distribution of propofol outside of proper channels/ and in improper quantities.  (If you remember, this is how Dr. Conrad Murray obtained the anesthetic for use on Michael Jackson.)  As a result of this distribution of multi-use medications that should be exclusively used in hospital settings – several patients were inadvertently exposed to Hepatitis C (including the plaintiff who developed Hepatitis C as a result.)

[Multi-use vials mean that the same container of medication is used for multiple people – if the medication is drawn up using needles or other instruments that have already been exposed to patients – this places future patients in contact with blood and infectious agents.]   Multi-use vials are a cost-containment measure for many institutions.

I hope that someone takes issue with out-patient colonoscopies as a whole since this in itself can be a very dangerous practice – and the research proves it.  (The issue behind outpatient procedures such as colonoscopies is the use of unmonitored anesthesia.  Most patients aren’t on monitors, no anesthesiologist is present, and the doctors performing the procedure are often unprepared in the event that a patient loses his airway (or stops breathing.)  There was a landmark study several years ago – that showed that 70% of nonaesthesiologists underestimated the level of sedation in patients undergoing out-patient / office procedures.  [I will continue looking for the link to this source.]

Frighteningly, a related paper demonstrated similar findings in a pediatric population.  This South African paper voices similar concerns.

The case against ‘extreme makeovers’

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While extreme plastic surgery makeovers (or multiple plastic surgery procedures at once) make for great television – they aren’t safe.  Prolonged (multi-hour, multi-procedure) surgeries place patients at greater risk of complications from anesthesia, bleeding, etc.  These ‘Mommy Makeovers’ sound like a good idea to patients – one surgery, less money and faster results – but the truth is – they just aren’t a good or safe idea.

Now an article by Laura Newman, [originally published  in Dermatol Surg. 2012;38:171-179] and re-posted at Medscape.com drives home that fact.

Combination Cosmetic Surgeries, General Anesthesia Drive AEs

February 9, 2012 — The use of general anesthesia, the performance of liposuction under general anesthesia, and a combination of surgical procedures significantly increase the risk for adverse events (AEs) in office-based surgery, according to reviews of statewide mandatory AE reporting in Florida and Alabama. More than two thirds of deaths and three quarters of hospital transfers were associated with cosmetic surgery performed under general anesthesia, according to an article published in the February issue of Dermatologic Surgery.

The study, derived from 10-year data from Florida and 6-year data from in Alabama, “confirms trends that have been previously identified in earlier analyses of this data,” write the authors, led by John Starling III, MD, from the Skin Cancer Center, Cincinnati, and the Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio.

In a companion commentary, C. William Hanke, MD, from the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, Indianapolis, presses for 3 patient safety practices: “(1) Keep the patient awake!… 2) Think twice before supporting a patient’s desire for liposuction that is to be done in conjunction with abdominoplasty under general anesthesia…. 3) “[B]e advocates for prospective, mandatory, verifiable adverse event reporting…[that] should include data from physician offices, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals to define and quantify problems that can be largely prevented and eliminated.”

The authors and editorialist are especially critical of liposuction performed under general anesthesia. The study revealed that although liposuction is perhaps one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures, no deaths occurred in the setting of local anesthesia. “Liposuction under general anesthesia accounted for 32% of cosmetic procedure-related deaths and 22% of all cosmetic procedure-related complications,” the researchers write.

The researchers analyzed mandatory physician AE reports in ambulatory surgery submitted to their respective states, encompassing 10-year data in Florida and 6-year data in Alabama. A total of 309 AEs were reported during an office-based surgery during the 10-year period in Florida, including 46 deaths and 263 reportable complications or transfers to hospital. Cosmetic surgeries performed under general anesthesia accounted for the vast majority of deaths in Florida, with liposuction and abdominoplasty the most frequent procedures.

Six years’ worth of data from Alabama revealed 52 AEs, including 49 complications or hospital transfers and 3 deaths. General anesthesia was implicated in 89% of reported incidents; 42% were cosmetic surgeries. Pulmonary complications, including pulmonary emboli and pulmonary edema, were implicated in many deaths in both states.

Plastic surgeons were linked to nearly 45% of all reported complications in Florida and 42.3% in Alabama, write the researchers. Office accreditation, physician board certification, and hospital privileges all revealed no clear pattern.

One limitation acknowledged by the authors is that case logs of procedures performed under general and intravenous sedation are required in Florida, but are not public domain, and so were unavailable for analysis. In addition, investigators were not able to obtain data on the total number of liposuction procedures performed in either state. The lack of those data prevented them from calculating the overall fatality rate.

As readers of my previous publications know, the majority of surgeons I interviewed expressly do not perform multiple procedures during one surgery.  Also, many of them perform the majority of their procedures under conscious sedation with local anesthesia (which means you are awake, but you don’t care – and you don’t feel anything).

French implant update

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More scary news for women around the globe – as the manufacturer, PIP discloses frightening information regarding their defective implants.  It has been discovered that the company knew that the implants were defective since 2005 – but continued to sell the implants for use world-wide, particularly in Latin America.

More disturbingly, this manufacturer did not use medical grade materials – instead opting for cheaper, construction grade chemicals including petroleum and fuel additives, components which have never been tested for [internal] human use.  The health effects of exposure to these materials is unknown.  The risks associated with the use of these materials is enhanced due to the high rate of rupture among this brand of implant.  These chemicals certainly have carcinogenic potential and the implications for thousands and thousands of women are terrifying.

French officials have urged women to have their implants surgically removed.

A preliminary search of PubMed and other published research shows mixed results – and primarily discusses the results of exposure to benzene (and other petroleum derivatives) via water contamination, or occupational exposure.   (In fact, only limited information is available regarding the safety of breast implants in general, and the material is fairly dated.)

As we stated in a previous story, while researching Bogota! and interviewing plastic surgeons – I investigated the types of implants used by the surgeons profiled in the book.  (None of the surgeons used this company’s implants at the time of my interviews in Winter/ Spring 2011).

Update:  In fact, the Colombian government has offered to pay for the removal of PIP implants.  More on this story here.

French Implants recalled

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Hundreds of thousands of french made breast implants have been recalled – sending women all over the globe into a panic.  These implants which are no longer in use in France, have been linked to an increased rate of rupture, and possible increased incidence of cancer.

But good news for readers – as you may recall from my interviews with several of the surgeons (as written in the book) – none of the surgeons I interviewed used french implants.  The majority used FDA approved implants (only one brand currently FDA approved.)  Several others use german made implants*.. But this is an example of the details I’ve ferreted out for my readers..

* Brand information and other details are available in the book, “Bogota: a hidden gem guide to surgical tourism.”

More stories about fake docs including this one about a phony performing liposuction while smoking a cigar on AWAKE patients..

This guy was actually a doctor, but that didn’t stop ten of his patients from dying after bariatric procedures..

Questionable injections, and fake doctors at a Motel 6

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In news out of Greensboro, North Carolina – another woman has been charged with several cases (dating back to 2007) of practicing medicine without a license.

Like the woman quoted in the article says, if you are going to a Motel 6 for a ‘medical procedure’ – what do you really expect?

This isn’t a way to skirt ‘the system’ or save money.. But it is a really good way to get hurt or killed.

Crimes of New York – another ‘butt-injecting’, superglue using phony kills patients in the Hispanic community in New York.

More Victims of the Fix-a-flat cement injecting fake doc.

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Look at the facial deformities of one of the “Fix-a-flat” fake doctor’s earlier victims.  This story, which was picked up by multiple news outlets, is just one of the many stories authorities are hearing as more and more victims (aka ‘patients’) of the cement injecting doctor come forward.

I won’t insult readers by making snarky comments or mouthing sanctimonious “love yourself” type platitudes – those sort of attitudes certainly don’t help – nor encourage victims of this sort of fraudulent treatments to come forward.

Instead I will continue to post stories about these cases, along with advice to help people find qualified surgeons, and interviews of some of the many, many wonderful and talented surgeons out there.

Cement, Fix-a-flat & Superglue are not beauty aids..

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In the latest horrifying story of unlicensed people performing plastic surgery – a man in Miami, Florida has been arrested for injecting a woman with a mixture of cement, superglue and ‘fix-a-flat’ as a part of a ‘homemade’ buttock enhancement procedure – performed in an apartment.

Hopefully readers can see the many, many things wrong with the above paragraph..  But what I find the most dismaying about the entire episode, is that the woman – who paid 700.00 for the procedure – refused to report this person to the authorities – despite having to seek emergency medical attention on two separate occasions for ‘severe’ complications from this quasi-procedure.

Update: 11/22/2011 – Now more patients with Cement Buttocks are emerging..

Another person has also been charged in this case.

A story in a UK paper suggests this fake doc may be a victim of a botched procedure himself.  (Take a look at these photos.)

Now it appears similar stories are emerging in other cities – including Las Vegas

Links to posts on similar stories on Cartagena Surgery:

Silicone injections & patient harm

LA woman disfigured and several more stories about unlicensed frauds harming patients – here, here & here.  Many of these stories are tragic.

Safety & Injectibles

Recent sentencing for doctor responsible for several deaths

We also give tips on finding qualified licensed personnel, as well as conducting our own interviews..