A New York salon owner has admitted she performed the illegal liposuction surgery that nearly cost a woman her life.

According to The Metro, 29 year old Barbara Nieto, who owned Perfect Image Stethics, performed a liposuction surgery in 2010 in which fat was removed from the stomach and injected into the buttocks.

The New York Post reports that the victim, Augusta Velez-Jimenez, 25, paid $500 for the illegal procedure. Within days of undergoing it, she was hospitalized for a severe infection that required surgery to save her life. She was hospitalized for five days.

"The defendant held out the false promise of being able to provide her victim with a more attractive appearance," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown told The Metro.

"Instead, she nearly caused the death of the young woman."

Brown said that records seized from the salon show more than 100 others had similar procedures performed by Nieto but did not experience any negative side effects.

In a recent court appearance, Nieto pleaded guilty to the charges of practicing without a license. She will pay $180,000 in fines and serve up to two years in prison.

This is one of several cases in recent months in which unlicensed individuals have nearly killed or maimed patients after performing illegal plastic surgery procedures on them. One of the most notorious cases involves a transgendered woman in Miami who is accused of injecting patients with various chemicals to improve the appearance of their bodies. Authorities say that the $700 illegal buttock augmentation procedure involved injecting a patient with cement, mineral oil and flat-tire sealant. 

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, individuals interested in enhancing their appearance through any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic procedure should contact a licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon to ensure they reach their desired outcome as well as maintain their safety.