Former Miss Argentina and mother of twins, Solange Magnano, died Sunday from complications arising from a gluteoplasty (better known as a “butt lift”). The apparent cause of death was a pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery in the lungs) that was caused by the injectable filler used in the procedure. In this case, the filler material that was used traveled to her lungs and brain, eventually resulting in her death, after three days in critical care in a Buenos Aires hospital.
Magnano won the Miss Argentina crown in 1994, and had remained popular throughout the country with a runway show scheduled for December. She leaves behind her 7-year old twins with family and friends saddened and shocked by the news.
Plastic surgery has become increasingly popular in Argentina as well as in many other areas of the world. With the costs of cosmetic procedures significantly lower in other countries, there has also been a rise in “cosmetic surgery tourism” for those in the U.S. seeking less expensive cosmetic procedures. Problems that can arise from this practice are directly related to the less stringent safety regulations found in certain parts of the world.
However, it should be noted that with all surgical procedures, there are standard risks that are inherent. These risks can be in the form of infection and other complications that have, in the past, even resulted in the rare possibility of death.
Just two year’s ago, the mother of hip-hop artist Kanye West, Donda West, died after complications arising from cosmetic surgery involving liposuction and breast augmentation. In this case, there were pre-existing conditions that were ignored, even with her original doctor’s advice.
Because of this, in honor of her death, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed the “Donda West Law,” a legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery.
The important thing to remember is that even though these examples of tragic deaths are extremely rare, there are certain guidelines that should be followed when seeking a cosmetic surgery procedure.
Choosing the right doctor is critical to reducing potential surgical risks and complications. Your criteria should involve the surgeon’s experience (how many surgeries of that type has he or she performed?). What percentage of patients experience complications in that particular practice? What are those complications? Has the doctor’s license or malpractice insurance ever been revoked?
Also, you should be in good health with no pre-existing conditions that might put you at risk. Lastly, it is of the utmost importance that you follow all of the instructions and advice given by your doctor. By being diligent in your research of a reputable physician and understanding the potential risks of your procedure – the safety factor of the surgery increases by a substantial margin.