Tragic Story: Woman Dies After $1,700 Cosmetic Surgery from Social Media Doc
In a tragic turn of events, a vibrant 31-year-old entrepreneur lost her life following a hydrolipo procedure—a modern take on liposuction—at a beauty clinic in São Paulo, Brazil. This devastating incident unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday.
Paloma Alves began experiencing severe breathing difficulties shortly after the procedure, leading to cardiac arrest at Maná Day clinic, a facility that lacked the necessary health licenses.
Despite frantic efforts by paramedics to rush her to Dr. Cármino Caricchio Municipal Hospital, Alves tragically succumbed in the emergency room while doctors fought to revive her.
In a heart-wrenching account shared with the media by her husband, Everton Silveira, it was revealed that Alves had saved up for two years to afford the procedure, which set them back nearly $1,700. Their day began with excitement as they left their home at dawn, eager for her long-awaited appointment.
However, as the procedure concluded, Silveira sensed something was amiss when staff prevented him from seeing his wife. “I noticed something was off by the expressions on their faces,” he recounted, pushing open the door only to find she was no longer in the recovery area. His heart sank further when he discovered a doctor performing chest compressions on her in the lobby.
Paloma Alves underwent a hydrolipo procedure and died after going into cardiac arrest in São Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday. Her husband revealed that she had contracted the services of the doctor via social media and met him in person for the first time before the procedure.
In a desperate attempt to save Alves, she was resuscitated but suffered another cardiac arrest as the ambulance neared the hospital.
According to a statement from São Paulo’s Municipal Health Department, the Maná Day clinic was operating illegally without the proper health licenses. “No Health License was identified, and the clinic has been fined and shut down for conducting unauthorized activities,” they disclosed.
Dr. Josias dos Santos, the surgeon in question, reported that Alves went into respiratory distress mere minutes after her transfer to recovery. “Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and we started performing cardiac massage as soon as we realized the severity of her situation,” he explained.
Dr. Josias dos Santos told Brazil’s TV Globo that his patient, Paloma Alves, had difficulty breathing in recovery after her hydrolipo procedure. It was revealed that he has faced 21 lawsuits alleging malpractice.
As the investigation unfolds, it was discovered that Dr. dos Santos has faced multiple malpractice lawsuits in the past, including a significant ruling in 2021 where he was ordered to pay a hefty sum to a patient who suffered severe complications.
Hydrolipo, a procedure perceived as a less invasive alternative to traditional liposuction, involves injecting a saline solution mixed with anesthetic to target fat and cellulite. Patients are drawn to it for its convenience and quick recovery time, but the risk remains.
As the Civil Police’s 52nd Police Precinct investigates this tragic death, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking beneath the allure of cosmetic surgery. In recent months, similar cases have surfaced, raising concerns about the safety and regulation of these procedures.
Paloma’s untimely passing is not just a statistic; it’s a painful reminder of the very real consequences of surgical procedures gone wrong, as families are left to grapple with their loss.
