Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Woman Dies Following Buttock Implant Removal at Unlicensed Clinic in Queens
In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures, a New York mother of two passed away after undergoing plastic surgery to remove buttock implants at a clandestine clinic in Astoria, Queens. María Paz Peñaloza, 31, suffered cardiac arrest shortly after being administered lidocaine, a local anesthetic, during the procedure performed on March 28. The operator of the alleged illegal clinic, Felipe Hoyos Foronda, was apprehended at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to leave the country.
Details of the Fatal Procedure
Peñaloza sought the implant removal procedure at a suspected illicit facility operating out of Foronda’s residence in Astoria. According to reports, the location was described as a makeshift ‘clinic’ situated on the first floor of the house. Minutes after receiving a lidocaine injection to numb the area for surgery, Peñaloza experienced a cardiac arrest.
Emergency Response and Suspect Apprehension
Following the adverse reaction, emergency services rushed Peñaloza to the intensive care unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital, Queens. While medical personnel worked to save her life, authorities took Felipe Hoyos Foronda into custody at JFK airport. He was detained while reportedly trying to flee the United States.
Death in Hospital and Suspected Cause
Despite receiving intensive medical care for two weeks, Peñaloza tragically died on April 11. Doctors discontinued life support after her condition did not improve. While hospital authorities have not yet released the specific nature of her injuries or the official cause of death, the Queens District Attorney’s Office is investigating potential lidocaine toxicity as a contributing factor.
Lidocaine Toxicity
Prosecutors suggest that an overdose of lidocaine, though generally considered a safe anesthetic, may be responsible for Peñaloza’s death. Medical experts note that lidocaine can become toxic when administered improperly, in excessive quantities, or across large areas of the body. Over-administration through injections in the skin can also lead to dangerous levels in the bloodstream.
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Symptoms of lidocaine poisoning can manifest within five minutes of administration and affect the central nervous system. Severe reactions can include seizures, irregular heart rhythms, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest. The typical toxicity threshold for lidocaine is around 4.5 mg/kg, dependent on individual absorption rates.
Family’s Devastation and Pursuit of Justice
Linney Peñaloza Cabrera, the victim’s sister, expressed the family’s shock and grief in an interview with the NY Daily News. She recounted being informed of her sister’s hospitalization by a friend who accompanied María to the clinic. The victim chose this location based on a recommendation from another friend who had previously undergone a procedure there.
Ms. Peñaloza Cabrera described the extensive efforts to revive her sister, stating that doctors at the hospital attempted resuscitation for two and a half hours after her arrival.
Accused Charged and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have indicated that Felipe Hoyos Foronda is a licensed physician in Colombia; however, he allegedly lacked the necessary permits to practice cosmetic surgery in the United States. The Queens District Attorney’s Office initially charged him with second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession.
Following Peñaloza’s death, it is anticipated that the charges against Foronda may be elevated. Investigators who searched the residence reportedly discovered medical equipment, syringes, medications, and medical furniture, suggesting the accused may have been conducting cosmetic procedures on other individuals at the same location.
Community Support for Bereaved Family
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated by Peñaloza’s family to help raise finances for her relatives in Colombia, including her parents and eldest son, to travel to New York to say their final goodbyes. The family urgently appealed for humanitarian visas to facilitate their travel, emphasizing the limited time available before life support was discontinued. They also requested financial assistance to cover travel expenses during this difficult period, expressing gratitude for any support, regardless of size.