Florida Teen dies after cosmetic Breast surgery

United States
March 26, 2008 9:56pm CST
Stephanie Kuleba, 18, died Saturday, about 24 hours after her surgery. Kuleba was rushed to Delray Medical Center about two hours into the procedure to correct asymmetrical breasts and inverted areola, family attorney Roberto Stanziale said. Kuleba went to her doctor's outpatient office, not a hospital for the procedure, reports CBS News' The Early Show. Both her plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist were board certified. --At 8:05 a.m. on Friday Kubela went into surgery. --At 9:15 a.m., the operating room nurse said everything is fine. --At 9:45 a.m., the doctor said that there is a problem and that paramedics are on their way. --At around 11:30 a.m., at the Delray Medical Center, the doctor tells Kuleba's family that they believe Stephanie suffered from malignant hyperthermia and is placed in intensive care. "Malignant hyperthermia is a catastrophic condition that's caused by certain anesthetic agents that trigger a chain reaction within the body which puts into a hyper or increased metabolic state," plastic surgeon Dr. Frederick Lukash told The Early Show. Lukash said doctors can use Dantrolene - which is "the ultimate and end all treatment" for this malignant hyperthermia - but that it must be started immediately once symptoms occur. "This was something that was believed to be a routine procedure," said Stanziale, who added that it was too early to determine if any legal action would be taken. "There was never any indication that she was not going to walk out of that surgical suite. It's obviously devastating." How does a parent let their teen have cosmetic surgery. Let alone actually pay for it. This is just insane to me. We are suppose to teach our kids to love themselves and that looks are not everything, and yet these parents think it is ok for there child to have cosmetic surgery.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I saw this somewhere else on here and responded to it but I just can't get over the fact that the parents didn't teach her the self confidence that it's alright to be who you are and that you look beautiful no matter what. I just can't get over the fact that a parent would do and support this for their child. How superficial are these people. I would love to just smack them upside the back of their head and say what the he!! is wrong with you. You should be teaching your daughter to love and respect herself for who she is not what she looks like.
1 person likes this
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
27 Mar 08
It is saddening to know that children now a days are resorting to "wonders" of science. It is not bad of course, but must be taken with precautions. Before anyone should resort to any form of medical surgery, she or he is should be in proper age, state of mind, and emotionally ready.
@gxnfly (1147)
• China
27 Mar 08
Really sorry to hear such tragic news.Maybe it's just not their parents' fault,the whole society should be responsible for it.Don't you think the whole society is more like talking about superficial beauty rather than inner beauty. It's said that girls of Korea start plastic surgery when they are very young,nearly all the Korea girls are under cosmetic surgery at least once.I 'm not sure if it's true.But I don't think they are outstandingly marvellous,I like natrual beauty.