Woman's face infected, disfigured following medi-spa visit

October 16, 2012

Woman's face infected, disfigured following medi-spa visit
Woman's face infected, disfigured following medi-spa visit

Yet another example of why it's essential for patients to visit board-certified plastic surgeons for all cosmetic procedures has emerged, this time out of Florida. CNN tells the story of Isabel Gonzalez, who spent a month in the hospital after receiving bad facial injections from an unlicensed employee at Viviana's Body Secrets Spa.

Gonzalez originally went to the spa to receive something known as vitamin injections, which she believed would give her a more youthful appearance. But after noticing no changes, she went back, and was treated by the owner of the spa. The victim says she was injected with a thick substance, and soon after, her face began to swell. She contracted an infection, at which point the owner of the spa took her to a doctor to have the wounds drained.

Despite the doctor's efforts, her face remained so swollen that her eyes were barely visible, and the infection grew worse. She checked herself into a different medical facility early last month.

"I told my mother, 'Please take care of my children. I don't think I'm gonna live,'" the victim told the news source.

Five surgeries later, Gonzelz's face is still scarred and swollen. She's now suing the spa owner, who has been arrested and is facing charges of practicing without a license and battery, the news source reports. Her spa has also been shut down.

According to the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety, patients who are considering getting cosmetic injections should be certain that the person performing the procedure is a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or some other type of certified, licensed physician. Those seeking such a procedure should never hesitate to ask about qualifications and experience.


The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

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About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

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