The family of Erica Russell, a 33-year-old mother of five from Tennessee, has now taken legal action following her tragic death after undergoing an illegal Brazilian butt lift procedure.
On June 16, 2021, Erica Russell went in for what should have been a safe cosmetic surgery at Seduction Cosmetic Center in Coral Gables, Florida. However, the procedure took a fatal turn when Dr. John Sampson punctured her intestines, bladder, liver, and abdominal wall during the surgery. The series of errors led to a fat deposit blocking her bloodstream, ultimately resulting in fatal cardiac arrest.
The timeline of events is chilling – Russell’s surgery began at 8:31 pm, and a little over two hours later, she had tragically passed away, the Daily Mail reports. Attorney Michael Levine, representing Russell’s family, said, “What happened to Ms. Russell should have never happened. This is assembly line medicine and that’s what killed her,” Attorney Michael Levine said.
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Dr. John Sampson, who has since been banned from performing Brazilian butt lift surgeries at Seduction Cosmetic Center, faced consequences including a $20,000 fine but was allowed to retain his medical license. Prior to Russell’s surgery, Sampson had performed multiple procedures at the center, raising questions about the oversight and approval processes in place.
Per the outlet citing the lawsuit, further investigation found that Sampson was not approved to perform surgeries at the cosmetics center. However, it was noted that Russell signed off on paperwork before her procedure that stated he had plastic and cosmetic privileges at Seduction as ‘Designated Physician.’
“It’s unbelievable that a surgery center could allow this to happen. This doctor should have never been performing this surgery, much less seven surgeries in one day,” Stephan Cain, another attorney for the family said.
Despite being removed from the cosmetic center’s official platforms, Dr. Sampson’s personal Instagram still lists his affiliation with Seduction, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the medical field.
More On BBLs:
A BBL, short for Brazilian Butt Lift, is a cosmetic procedure that involves transferring fat from other areas of the body to the buttocks to enhance their shape and size. The fat is typically harvested through liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips, and then injected into the buttocks to create a fuller and more rounded appearance. The Brazilian Butt Lift has gained popularity in recent years as a way to achieve a more sculpted and curvaceous figure. However, like any procedure there are risks.
The tragic loss of Erica Russell is extremely unfortunate. As her family seeks justice through legal channels, her story underscores the importance of stringent regulations and oversight to prevent similar tragedies in the future.