Introduction to a Tragic Event
A young police officer who traveled to Miami from Louisiana for cosmetic surgery in March died just days later. NBC6 Investigates learned she is one of dozens of people, mostly women, who have died in Miami-Dade County after cosmetic procedures in recent years.
The Life of Wildelis Rosa
Wildelis Rosa was 26 years old and had already accomplished so much. “Very bright and promising future.” That’s how Rosa’s sister, Anamin Vazquez, talks about her. Rosa was serving her community as a police officer in the city of New Orleans. She also served her country overseas in the Army Reserves. “She had just come back from a deployment to Kuwait as a U.S. Army Reservist,” Vazquez said. She says Rosa, the youngest of five siblings, had even bigger dreams for the future. “She wanted to work for the FBI,” Vazquez said, “So, she clearly had a plan.”
The Decision for Cosmetic Surgery
But Vazquez says no one in the family knew about Rosa’s plans to get cosmetic surgery when she told them she was taking a birthday trip to Miami in March. The family says she arrived in South Florida on March 18, and the following day, she went to Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic on Coral Way for pre-operative blood work. According to this invoice shared by Rosa’s sister, the procedure included liposuction and fat transfer injections, commonly known as BBL, short for Brazilian butt lift. It shows Rosa paid $7,495 to have fat removed from 12 areas and injected into her backside at Prestige.
The Tragic Outcome
Vazquez says Rosa told the family about the surgery three days later – on Saturday. “You know we had just that feeling in our guts like something is wrong,” she said, “I texted her and I said, ‘I hope you’re doing okay you’re enjoying your birthday.’ But there was no answer back.” By the following morning on March 23, Rosa was dead. According to a report from the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Officer, a friend staying with Rosa at a short-term rental on SW 24th Street discovered her unresponsive and started CPR, but it was too late. The cause of death: a pulmonary embolism from blood clots associated with cosmetic surgery.
Investigation and Findings
An investigator at the ME’s office noted it’s a common complication and there were no obvious signs of neglect. Notes from the medical examiner’s investigation detail the hours and days following Rosa’s surgery. According to her friend, she was discharged about an hour after the procedure. At a follow-up appointment the next day, she complained of “extreme pain.” Back at the short-term rental, her blood pressure dropped, and she appeared to have difficulty breathing. “Things took a turn Saturday. That’s when she fell”, her sister said, “She went to the bathroom, and she fell down.” On Saturday, at a follow-up massage appointment, her friend said she was pale, with dilated pupils and her lips were purple, adding, she later complained of no sensation in her legs or feet.
A Pattern of Concern
NBC6 Investigates has learned over the last three and a half years, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has certified 25 deaths related to cosmetic surgery, involving several different doctors and clinics. All but two of them were women. “There have been too many deaths too close together to raise a huge flag and say wait a minute,” Vazquez said. It’s that message she hopes reaches others considering procedures without understanding the risks, and that the loss of her own sister might help someone else’s. “I just, I want her death to be if anything, a cautionary tale for those who are thinking of having these surgeries,” she said.
Response from Prestige Plastic Surgery
The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the manner of death an accident. When contacted by phone, a representative from Prestige Plastic Surgery said they did not recall Wildelis Rosa’s case. They did not answer specific questions but said they follow all protocols for safety before and after procedures.
Conclusion
The death of Wildelis Rosa serves as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with cosmetic surgery. While the desire to improve one’s appearance can be strong, it is crucial for individuals to carefully consider these risks and ensure they are fully informed before proceeding with any surgical procedure. The loss of Rosa, a young and promising individual, underscores the importance of caution and awareness in the pursuit of cosmetic enhancements.
FAQs
- Q: What procedure did Wildelis Rosa undergo?
A: Rosa underwent liposuction and fat transfer injections, commonly known as a Brazilian butt lift (BBL). - Q: How many deaths related to cosmetic surgery have been certified in Miami-Dade County?
A: Over the last three and a half years, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has certified 25 deaths related to cosmetic surgery. - Q: What was the cause of Wildelis Rosa’s death?
A: The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism from blood clots associated with cosmetic surgery. - Q: Did Prestige Plastic Surgery comment on the incident?
A: Yes, a representative stated they follow all protocols for safety before and after procedures but did not recall Rosa’s case or comment further on the specifics. - Q: What message does Anamin Vazquez hope people take away from her sister’s death?
A: Vazquez hopes that her sister’s death serves as a cautionary tale for those considering cosmetic surgeries, highlighting the importance of understanding the risks involved.
