Plastic Surgeon Accused Of Malpractice Gets Emergency License Restriction
A Miami physician has received an emergency license restriction after botching four plastic surgery procedures in three days. All of the procedures performed were “Brazilian butt lifts,” procedures that remove fat from one area of the body and inject it into the buttocks to create fuller curves. Complications arose during the liposuction step of the procedure, which sent all four women to the hospital for durations ranging from three days to three months.
The physician, Dr. Osakatukei Omulepu has worked as a licensed physician in Florida since 2000. However, despite Dr. Omulepu’s marketing of his plastic surgery services, he is not board certified by a reputable plastic surgery organization. Physicians do not have to be board certified to perform plastic surgery procedures, although patients are encouraged to seek out physicians with the proper credentials before undergoing surgery for cosmetic purposes.
Four procedures, four injured patients, two days
Dr. Omulepu performed all four Brazilian butt lifts during a period of two days in May 2015. All of the procedures were done at Spectrum-Aesthetics Center for Cosmetic Surgery and Vanity Cosmetic Surgery. An attorney representing the center told the Miami Herald that although Dr. Omulepu was not an employee at the center, he used the facility to perform his procedures.
The patients injured in Dr. Omulepu’s procedures ranged in age from 29 to 35. Two of the women suffered damage to internal organs during their liposuction procedures that led to blood infections as well as kidney and respiratory failure in one of the patients. That woman had to be placed on a ventilator after her procedure.
Another woman suffered severe bleeding after her procedure. She was found in a motel room near the surgical center, bleeding profusely in the middle of the night. All of the women required hospitalization after their procedures to treat their complications.
The Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order prohibiting the doctor from performing any type of liposuction techniques in the state. Officials determined Dr. Omulepu presented an “immediate serious danger” if he was allowed to continue performing liposuction procedures.
“The extreme number of violations that occurred within this two-day period, which resulted in significant and lasting patient harm, indicates that Dr. Omulepu’s conduct is likely [to] continue. If his conduct continues, it will cause significant harm to his patients,” the order states.
Malpractice charges to be accepted or disputed
The physician has 21 days from the time he receives the order to accept or dispute the charges. If he accepts the charges, a settlement could be negotiated between the doctor and injured patients. If he disputes the charges, a hearing would take place before the Division of Administrative Hearings for the state. The injured patients could be called as witnesses during that hearing.
Medical malpractice can occur in any type of medical specialty, including plastic surgery. Victims of malpractice may suffer serious injuries or tragically lose their lives at the hands of physicians who do not practice medicine in a safe and competent manner. These victims and their families may be entitled to compensation from the doctor and other parties if it is proven the injuries were caused by doctor negligence.
If you or someone you love is the victim of surgical errors at the hand of a plastic surgeon, legal help is available. Contact The Sanders Firm today at 1.800.FAIR.PLAY to discuss your case free of charge and get answers to all of your legal questions. Resources
- New York Daily News, Florida Plastic Surgeon Botches “Brazilian Butt Lift” Procedures, Has License Restricted, http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-plastic-surgeon-botches-butt-lift-procedures-article-1.2542799
- Miami Herald, Emergency Order Restricts License for Miami Doctor Specializing in Brazilian Butt Lifts, http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article62068527.html
- Miami Herald, State Moves to Revoke License of Miami “Butt Lift” Surgeon Accused of Malpractice http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article66376602.html
