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Florida Teen Dies After Cosmetic Surgery

18-year-old Stephanie Kublea died after cosmetic breast surgery. It appears she died from a rare condition called malignant hyperthermia, which can occur as a result of even properly administered anesthesia.

Although generally safe, her tragedy is an example of how even “routine” cosmetic procedures have risks, especially when general anesthesia is used.

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Although it might not make a difference is some tragedies such as this one, it is always best to:

  • Ask if your physician is board certified in their specialty.
  • Ask how many times your physician has performed this procedure.
  • Ask if the place you are having the procedure is an accredited surgery center.
  • If the procedure is complicated or requires anesthesia or sedation, then ask if your physician has privileges at the local hospital.
  • Above all, ask what the risks are of the procedure you are having. Death is fortunately very rare, but scarring, pain, and undesirable or unwanted cosmetic outcomes are common.
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  1. eric
    May 26th, 2008 at 08:50 | #1

    Hi there,

    First of all I would like to congratulate you on your awesome and very professional blog. It looks like you put a lot of work into it and it shows. My name is Eric and I own an online beauty store at http://www.chiactivate.com and also run a blog at chiactivate.wordpress.com. My sites receive a fair amount of traffic, but of course it always can be better and so I would like to ask you for a blog link-exchange so we can drive traffic to each others sites. Please respond to me either by email or by leaving a comment in my blog and let me know if you would like to be featured on my blog roll.

    Thanks a lot and have a nice day,

    Eric

  2. May 27th, 2008 at 03:57 | #2

    Hello,
    I am the PR person at Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States; wanted to say hello— Have you seen the Wall Street Journal’s THE INFORMED PATIENT By LAURA LANDRO, “A Fresh Focus On a Rare Risk Of Anesthesia”? April 30, 2008
    http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120950929636954247.html?mod=2_1566_le

  3. August 1st, 2008 at 13:44 | #3

    This is a very disheartening story. How could it been diagnosed beforehand instead of following the money first.

  4. October 1st, 2008 at 07:01 | #4

    Sad story

    Thanks for sharing this with us.

    SM

  5. October 2nd, 2009 at 04:00 | #5

    Has anyone heard of http://www.thegoodsurgeonguide.co.uk? Its a site where you can review your surgeon. Any ideas? I need help choosing one myself so think its a good idea. xXx

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