No End In Sight For Buttock Implant Surgeries Gone Wrong

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) over the past few years buttock implants and lifts continue to rise. Last year alone, more than 2,800 buttock implant surgeries were done in the U.S., up 35% over the prior year. Buttock lifts were also on the upswing, increasing 39% to over 5,000 procedures. However, despite the popularity of these surgical procedures, there is a dark side to cosmetic buttock surgery.

In Miami, a cosmetic surgeon has been accused of injuring at least four patients during liposuction and Brazilian butt lift procedures. Now, the Florida Department of Health may be trying to revoke his license in the face of these malpractice allegations. Dr. Osakatukei Omulepu is accused of using the wrong amount of anesthetic, puncturing patients’ organs, and failure to discharge patients to the appropriate level of outpatient care.

Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order prohibiting Omulepu from performing liposuction and Brazilian butt lift procedures, stating he presented an immediate serious danger to the public health. The order came after four women were hospitalized as the result of Omulepu’s procedures. In one case, a patient was found by her father in a motel, bleeding profusely before she was taken to the hospital.

In an article by the Miami Herald, two former patients spoke out against Omelepu’s treatment of them during liposuction and butt enhancement procedures. A woman from Missouri said she spent about $6,000 for the procedure, but ended up with almost $60,000 in additional medical bills as the result of further injuries and infections. She had to be hospitalized on three separate occasions after the procedure due to infections in her legs and back.

A woman from Texas also reported problems after her visit to Dr. Omelepu. She said she developed large indentations in her buttocks, and began to feel ill. When she went to the emergency room, doctors admitted her for two weeks to treat her infections. In addition to the $6,000 she spent on the surgical procedure, she now owes almost $75,000 for treatment for the infections.

In an article in Cosmopolitan, a board-certified plastic surgeon discussed some of the downsides to the job. Dr. Jennifer Keagle says that as a plastic surgeon, she sometimes has to fix other doctors’ medical mistakes. Patients are going to foreign countries for cheaper plastic surgery; however, they end up paying more in the end to fix botched procedures. Dr. Keagle said she has even seen people get butt injections with lard.

In addition to the risk of medical malpractice, another problem involves so-called garage plastic surgery clinics. These involve individuals with little to no medical training who offer plastic surgery procedures, at a reduced cost and an increased risk of injury. Legal buttock enhancement may cost as much as $15,000, while black market buttock silicone shots may cost as little as $250. However, these illicit operations have been linked to multiple deaths.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a botched plastic surgery procedure, remember that you are not to blame for your injuries. The Gilman & Bedigian team of experienced attorneys is fully equipped to handle your medical malpractice claim. Our staff includes a physician and attorneys with decades of malpractice litigation experience. We will focus on getting you compensation for your injuries, so you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.