A Hialeah plastic surgery center liposuction patient died. What happened to the doctor?
The doctor in the 2021 death of a Brazilian butt lift patient at a Hialeah office plastic surgery center is no longer a doctor after giving up his license days before an investigation into the death ended.
The state Board of Medicine’s final order accepting Dr. Luis Ramirez’s voluntary surrender of his license was posted on Dec. 28. But Ramirez turned in the license relinquishment paperwork Aug. 15, three days before Florida Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance investigator Dana Anderson filed her final report on the death of a patient identified only as “PR” at Your Cosmetic Surgery & Spa, 1255 W. 46th St.
Ramirez’s voluntary relinquishment says he states:
“[Ramirez’s] purpose in executing this Voluntary Relinquishment is to avoid further administrative action with respect to this cause.”
“[Ramirez] understands that acceptance by the Board of Medicine of this Voluntary Relinquishment shall be construed as disciplinary action against (his) license...”
“[Ramirez] agrees to never reapply for licensure as a medical doctor in the State of Florida.”
The Florida Department of Health online license profile shows no previous disciplinary action against the license Ramirez had held since 1991. The profile shows privileges at Larkin Community Hospital Miami, which is in South Miami, and Larkin Community Hospital’s Palm Springs Campus, the latter of which
AAAis where the tragedy ended.
Anderson’s report says the death of “PR,” a 45year-old woman, was being looked at for Ramirez possibly, among other violations, “failing to perform legal obligations, failing to keep records justifying the course of treatment, practicing below the standard of care” as well as inadequate medical records.
On March 24, 2021, PR might have to be held anyway. He also noted that under a new state law, many of the voters who do not know they have to request vote-bymail ballots again might not remember to participate in the election, lessening turnout.
Another point that was debated: In a special election, the highest votegetter came to Your Cosmetic Surgery desiring a “tummy tuck, liposuction in both arms, liposculpture and fat grafting in her buttocks.”
Ramirez, the report said, explained the risks and complications to PR and “advised her that it was too many procedures to do at one time and that he could do only one for her safety.”
She decided to do the fat grafting on her buttocks — a “Brazilian butt lift” — would win. There would be no runoff election.
Reyes and King repeatedly said they believe District 2 voters should decide for themselves, and the cost shouldn’t be an issue.
Through public comments, it became clear two candidates had mobilized supporters. Martin and the liposculpture in that area.
Ramirez took out 4000ml of supernatant fat from PR, then used 800ml of that fat to insert into PR’s buttocks. With the surgery almost done, Ramirez noticed a slowed heart rate. The report said atropine was given via IV.
Atropine “is used to reduce saliva and fluid in the respiratory tract during surgery,” the Cleveland Clinic said. “It can be used in an emergency to treat a slow heartbeat.”
That’s when her endtidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) level disappeared from the monitor screen.
“End-tidal carbon dioxide is the level of carbon dioxide that is released at the end of an exhaled breath,” Capnography for Monitoring End-Tidal CO2 in Hospital and Pre-hospital Settings explains. “ETCO2 levels reflect the adequacy
Zilber, the attorney and former Miami-Dade judge who resigned from his position as he faced discipline following allegations of misconduct, and James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance. Several speakers also backed attorney Lorenzo Palomares.
One surprise candidate emerged from the group when he applied in the
11th hour during the meeting Saturday: former U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey.
“I want to offer what I can in a more narrow, temporary, custodian role,” Coffey said, pledging to be a caretaker who would not run to hold onto the seat in the Nov 7 election. with which carbon dioxide is carried in the blood back to the lungs and exhaled.”
PR could be ventilated “easily, but no evidence of ETC02 tracing on the screen,” the investigative report said. “No disconnection of lines occurred.”
Hialeah Fire Rescue was called and workers shot PR with atropine again.
ETCO2 still “was not present at that point. PR was transferred to Larkin Community Hospital by Hialeah Fire Rescue, where, despite all-life saving efforts, PR expired,” the investigative report said. “The report further indicates that the alleged cause of the incident was due to hypotension, decreased heart rate and bradycardia.”
David J. Neal: 305-376-3559, @DavidJNeal
COMMISSIONERS ARE EXPECTED TO RECONVENE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AT 2 P.M. SUNDAY. DISTRICT 2 INCLUDES MOST COASTAL NEIGHBORHOODS, FROM COCONUT GROVE TO BRICKELL, DOWNTOWN, EDGEWATER AND MORNINGSIDE.
A dwindling audience grew weary during each round of voting, with some commenting that the process started to resemble House Republicans’ struggle to elected a new Speaker of the House in recent days.
Commissioners are expected to reconvene to continue the discussion at 2 p.m. Sunday at Miami City Hall, 3500 Pan American Dr. District 2 includes most of Miami’s coastal neighborhoods, from Coconut Grove north through Brickell, downtown, Edgewater and Morningside.
Joey Flechas: 305-376-3602, @joeflech