Florida

Woman Dies After Tummy Tuck at Vanity Surgery Center

A Doral woman died Wednesday after undergoing surgery at Vanity Cosmetic Surgery in Westchester.

Maria Christian, 32, was rushed to Kendall Regional Hospital after she went into cardiac arrest toward the end of a tummy tuck procedure, according to the clinic.

Doctors were unable to revive the woman.

"Always trying to help people, doing her best, she was amazing," sister Carolina Flor said Thursday, fighting back tears. "Now she just leaves her kids, her husband, they had a great family."

Vanity Cosmetic Surgery released a statement Thursday, sending its deepest condolences to the patient's family.

Doctors said Christian had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures at the clinic, the most recent one was a Brazilian Butt Lift back in January. But her sister says the January procedure was the only other procedure her sister had.

According to Vanity Cosmetic Surgery, the patient was deemed in good health at the time of the operation, which was performed by Dr. Camille Chavez.

"They were trying to tell her 'just do it with her, she's really good, she's really good and you're going to be fine,'" Flor said.

The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated Vanity's facilities and surgical rooms during an initial investigation.

The clinic said authorities did not find any violations.

The cause of death is being investigated and it could be days before the medical examiner releases the exact cause of death.

"We don't know what happened, the doctors just said that her heart stopped," Flor said. "If there is no need to do something, just, there's no reason, because she was just beautiful the way she was."

This is not the first time Vanity Cosmetic Surgery has made headlines.

In January, The Consumer Protection Division of the Florida Attorney General's Office was investigating the center after customer complaints over its refund procedures.

Here's the full statement the company released regarding Christian's death:

Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of María Christian, a 32-year old patient who recently underwent a highly popular procedure, a tummy tuck, at our cosmetic surgery facility yesterday afternoon with one of our surgeons, Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD.
The patient, who had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures, with the most recent one performed in January 2016, was deemed in good health when she underwent the procedure. All standard pre-op procedures were administered. However, unfortunately she developed cardiac arrest towards the end of the operation. Immediate resuscitation efforts were taken followed by a call to 911. The paramedics arrived promptly and transferred Ms. Christian to Kendall Regional Hospital, where she later passed away.
The cause of Ms. Christian’s death has not yet been determined until a medical forensic examiner has completed an examination. All surgical procedures have inherent risks of complications and in some cases, unpredictable complications can occur. The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated our facilities and surgical rooms during their initial investigation and they found everything to be in accordance with standard protocols. Dr. Camille D. Chavez’s reputation as a caring and skilled surgeon is universally recognized and admired by her patients and peers. Dr. Chavez has built a successful career, with more than 30 years of experience specializing in microsurgery, trauma surgery, craniofacial surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Camille D. Chavez and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients and again, send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of María Christian.

Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of María Christian, a 32-year old patient who recently underwent a highly popular procedure, a tummy tuck, at our cosmetic surgery facility yesterday afternoon with one of our surgeons, Dr. Camille D. Chavez, MD.The patient, who had previously undergone two cosmetic procedures, with the most recent one performed in January 2016, was deemed in good health when she underwent the procedure. All standard pre-op procedures were administered. However, unfortunately she developed cardiac arrest towards the end of the operation. Immediate resuscitation efforts were taken followed by a call to 911. The paramedics arrived promptly and transferred Ms. Christian to Kendall Regional Hospital, where she later passed away.The cause of Ms. Christian’s death has not yet been determined until a medical forensic examiner has completed an examination. All surgical procedures have inherent risks of complications and in some cases, unpredictable complications can occur. The Miami-Dade Police Department investigated our facilities and surgical rooms during their initial investigation and they found everything to be in accordance with standard protocols. Dr. Camille D. Chavez’s reputation as a caring and skilled surgeon is universally recognized and admired by her patients and peers. Dr. Chavez has built a successful career, with more than 30 years of experience specializing in microsurgery, trauma surgery, craniofacial surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Camille D. Chavez and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients and again, send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of María Christian.

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