Miami Police Shut Down Illegal Plastic Surgery Recovery House

In a concerning incident highlighting patient safety issues within the cosmetic surgery industry, Miami police have arrested a woman for operating an unlicensed recovery house where postoperative patients were allegedly mistreated. One survivor of this operation shares her traumatic experience.

Patient’s Alarming Experience

Hope Estrada, a patient recovering from cosmetic surgery, recounted her distressing ordeal in the recovery house, which she learned about through her surgeon’s nurse. After paying approximately $5,000 for a nine-day stay, she quickly realized the conditions were anything but acceptable.

“You think whatever they refer is going to be the best,” said Estrada, reflecting on her misplaced trust in the recommendation.

Lack of Care and Mistreatment

Hope’s recovery was complicated by extensive surgical procedures, leaving her physically unable to care for herself. “I cannot get up by myself,” she explained, detailing the difficulties she faced due to her surgeries.

Although caretakers were supposed to assist her with basic needs, including bathing and nutrition, her reality was a harrowing contrast. “I was put straight into a shower, as I recall, and pills were being pumped into me,” she said. She described waking up to find an IV inserted in her arm, enduring severe bruising due to repeated unsuccessful attempts to find a vein.

Critical Incident Leads to Action

Hope’s situation worsened when a caretaker abandoned her overnight, leading to an alarming realization. “She left me in my own fecal matter and my own urine overnight,” she stated. Out of fear and desperation, Estrada began documenting her experiences on her phone, capturing the dismal conditions, including rows of beach chairs where patients were left unattended.

She overheard the caretakers discussing potential raids by authorities and became increasingly anxious about her safety. Following a seemingly indefinite period of mistreatment, she was transported to a different location by caretakers, during which she managed to inform her family of the situation.

Call for Help

Once at the new recovery house, Hope questioned a caretaker’s credentials, receiving a discouraging response to remain silent. Feeling trapped and heavily medicated, she reached out to a friend, who subsequently involved the police when her calls for help were ignored.

“I said, ‘Officer, I need help. I’m being held hostage right now,’” she recalled. Authorities initially faced challenges in entering the premises but eventually convinced the caretaker to comply, leading to the rescue of Estrada and other patients.

Legal Consequences and Investigation

Upon entry, officers discovered four women recovering from surgery in chairs around the house. The caretaker in question, identified as 53-year-old Yohandra Ramos-Gonzalez, was arrested and faces multiple felony charges, including practicing medicine without a license.

According to Miami Police, Ramos-Gonzalez lacked the necessary credentials to perform any medical tasks. “She did not have the credentials of a registered nurse or someone authorized to issue IVs,” said Officer Michael Vega.

Continued Investigation and Patient Safety Measures

The Miami Police Department, in collaboration with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, is continuing its investigation. Officials emphasize the seriousness of the matter as Miami attracts numerous patients seeking cosmetic enhancements, necessitating proper recovery care. “We are taking this seriously. Patients come from all over the United States for these procedures, and they need adequate care during their recovery,” expressed Officer Vega.

A Grateful Escape

Despite her harrowing ordeal, Hope Estrada is relieved to have escaped the situation. “I was in fear for my life,” she said, expressing gratitude for her eventual rescue.