Three people charged with performing an illegal liposuction procedure at a North Myrtle Beach condominium are being held under $50,000 bond each, at J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Conway, according to the jail's web site.
North Myrtle Beach Police charged Miguel Orozco, Nubia Trujillo Rojas, and Adriana Neibles with practicing medicine without a license, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and accessory before and after the fact of a felony.
The patient who had the procedure was treated for her injuries at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
Myrtle Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Steven White said it was the first instance he's heard of underground plastic surgery techniques being performed on the Grand Strand.
"I know it happens in Florida and states like that, where I've heard about it and actually reviewed cases from Florida regarding a lot of complications but not around here so, it's kind of shocking."
White said there have been a number of liposuction deaths throughout the United States for several years, "coming from unscrupulous practitioners, people that are not board certified in plastic surgery, people that are out just to make money with the procedure."
White has been performing liposuction for 25 years and is board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Like many plastic surgeons, White is also board certified in general surgery and received another 3 years of training in plastic surgery beyond that. He said training is critical for any physician performing a procedure like liposuction.
"Doing a weekend course, in my perception, is not a very safe thing to do for the patients."
Dr. Myles Goldflies just joined the Sculpted Figures practice in Myrtle Beach a few months ago, but has more than 25 years experience as a plastic surgeon. He's seen many botched liposuction procedures during his years of practice in the Chicago area and is less surprised than White that illegal cosmetic surgery has come to Myrtle Beach.
"Where there's money to be made, people will find ways to make it."
Goldflies said saving money is the primary reason patients seek out underground operators, but that's a dangerous choice. He said there are cosmetic risks and health risks.
"Somebody who's not really good at it technically could cause scarring, bad results but the ultimate problem is health," Goldflies said. "Because I have seen cases where even in the best of hands, people have died from liposuction. That's why there are regulations."
White and Goldflies say patients should do their homework before deciding on a procedure. Make sure a plastic surgeon is board certified, has adequate professional training and experience and a well-equipped surgery center with an appropriately-trained staff.
"An apartment is not a surgery center," White said.
Goldflies said complications can occur even under the best conditions and safety backups are key factors for patients to consider.
"You need to know that wherever you are or whoever's doing it, they're prepared that if something does go wrong, you're still going to be taken care of safely," Goldflies said.
Unfortunately, Goldflies said, there are some people who care only about price. Cheap, botched procedures can be corrected by a professional plastic surgeon, he said.
"But if somebody dies from the procedure, you can't revise that."
