The family of a San Antonio woman who died while undergoing cosmetic surgery on April 14 learned that lesson the hard way. She had agreed to undergo a procedure that would remove fatty tissue from her hips and back and inject it into her buttocks. Somehow, during the surgery, the patient’s aorta was cut and she bled to death. She was just 32 and was married with three young children. Her husband tearfully explained that he had to tell their children that their mother was gone, but that she loved them very much.
According to WOAI-TV, the victim’s family is planning to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who performed the surgery. They have also ordered an autopsy to see if they can determine how the victim’s aorta was pierced. Her father said that the victim was in good health before the surgery, with no condition that would put her aorta at risk.
WOAI reported that the surgeon has been sued for malpractice often enough that the Texas Medical Board once investigated his practice, though it did not take any action against him.
Source: WOAI-TV, “Death during plastic surgery,” Jozannah Quintanilla, May 17, 2011
