A cosmetic surgery warning following woman's tragic death
The family of a Gold Coast woman who died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Mexico say they can finally reveal the true cause of her death.
Evita Sarmonikas, 29, died in March after her lung was punctured five times during a procedure called a Brazilian butt lift.
An initial autopsy conducted in Mexico listed the cause of her death as pulmonary embolism, a blockage of the artery in the lungs that likely caused by a blood clot.
However, a second independent autopsy, ordered by her family, found the lack of oxygen was caused by internal bleeding.
"We wanted to believe it was a natural death but we knew something wasn't right,” her sister Andrea Sarmonikas told 7 News.
Ms Sarmonikas wounds were likely inflicted by a cannula, which is an instrument used during liposuction.
Her sister says the doctor who operated on her wasn’t qualified to perform the surgery.
“We're very concerned at the moment because the chief of the medical forensic department....is coming out saying that the first autopsy is what happened.”
Ms Sarmonikas family have called for tougher regulations for the cosmetic surgery industry and warned others to be wary of the risks before going overseas to undergo procedures.
Morning news break – August 19
