Recently, a Tucson woman was sentenced for a role in performing cosmetic surgery procedures without a license. Also sentenced was the woman’s boyfriend
Ildal Mirim Garcia was sentenced on several different criminal charges to seven years in the Arizona Department of Corrections. Her sentence includes punishment for fraudulent schemes and artifices, practicing medicine without a license, and aggravated assault, and serious physical injury.
Garcia’s and her boyfriend, Gustavo Felix Nunez were both arrest in August of 2013. According to court records, Nunez performed procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction inside his home, as well as in a warehouse.
The dangers of these types of incidents are extreme. Not only are the facilities such as hotel rooms, homes, and warehouses, unsanitary, but also the dangers of receiving these procedures from unqualified individuals can be deadly.
Many people are drawn to these black market procedures because they are tempted by the low prices. This is certainly a case of “if it is too good to be true, it is.”
There have been cases where individuals have performed butt augmentation using cement, caulk, Fix-A-Flat and other non-medical substances. And, unfortunately, there have also been several deaths in recent months that have been associated with these unlicensed, and frankly, dangerous procedures.
In the cases of these two individuals, several victims stated they underwent fat transfer and liposuction procedures performed by Nunez, and then ended up in the hospital with serious complications.
When considering any type of cosmetic procedure, you must make sure that your doctor is properly licensed. It is also important that the doctor be properly trained and has experience performing the specific procedure you are considering.
In addition, these cosmetic procedures should only be performed in a properly equipped medical facility. These can include a hospital setting or a surgery suite within a doctor’s office.
Says Dr. Thomas Wright, medical director of Laser Lipo and Vein Center, “These types of cases shed light on the black market of cosmetic procedures. They are examples of what can happen if you try to save a few dollars.”
He continues and says that any cosmetic procedures, no matter how simple should be administered only by a knowledgeable, well-trained licensed medical professional. He continues, “You want to stay away from any one offering procedures in a hotel room, warehouse, or other such place. Your safety is paramount and you need to choose qualified professionals performing procedures in a true medical facility.”
