A mum-of-two has died after undergoing liposuction with an “unregistered” plastic surgeon.
Rebeca Llacho Cahuana, 32, had arrived alone for the procedure, which began at around 5pm on Friday (17 April) and was expected to last four hours.
But at around 10pm, a clinic worker made a frantic call to her sister with shocking news.
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Jackie told local media: “They told me my sister had complications during surgery, but they didn’t give me any details.”
Rebeca was rushed to a public hospital, where doctors confirmed her death shortly after arrival, as reported by Need To Know.
She had been in good health before the operation in Cayma, Peru, and had “passed all her tests”, according to her sister, who has since filed a police complaint.
The surgeon, named as José David Molina Barreto, is reportedly not registered as a plastic surgery specialist with the Peruvian Medical College.
Instead, the 37-year-old Venezuelan is listed as a general surgeon and laparoscopic specialist, according to local reports.
Molina – now under investigation for manslaughter – had allegedly rented a room at the clinic to carry out the procedure.
But the facility was only licensed to operate as a consultation clinic, not as a surgical centre, regional health manager Walther Oporto said.
Police have so far been unable to locate Molina.
Rebeca leaves behind two young children.
Clínica Florez Salud said in a statement on Tuesday (21 April): “We would like to stress that our institution holds all the necessary licences, accreditations and documentation to operate, in full compliance with current regulations.
“We also confirm that we are responding promptly to requests from the relevant authorities, maintaining a cooperative and transparent approach, and making all necessary documentation available to help clarify the circumstances.”
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