NEW YORK — A resident of New York City is facing serious charges after attempting a medical procedure without proper licensing, an unfortunate event that left a patient in critical condition. The incident occurred on March 28, during an unauthorized attempt to remove butt implants.
The accused, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, administered lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to a 31-year-old woman. Consequently, the patient suffered cardiac arrest at Hoyos-Foronda’s residence in Queens. She was quickly taken to a hospital, where a medical professional indicated that she is unlikely to survive due to the severe consequences of lidocaine toxicity.
Court documents have detailed that the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, has shown no signs of brain activity since the procedure. Hoyos-Foronda, who is 38, was intercepted at John F. Kennedy International Airport while allegedly trying to leave the country. Upon his arrest, he was formally charged with assault and participating in a professional practice without a license. As of now, he remains detained with no bail option set.
In online activities, Hoyos-Foronda advertised various cosmetic enhancements on TikTok, seemingly portraying himself as a qualified medical professional. He suggested competence in performing procedures such as Botox injections, lip augmentations, and body sculpting. In one post, he can be seen discussing what he claims is a “safe and painless method” for enhancing buttocks. There is also evidence suggesting he extended his services to the Miami area.
Instances of unlicensed medical practice in the beauty industry have raised alarms in recent years. Earlier in 2023, authorities apprehended a Manhattan aesthetician for using counterfeit Botox, following customer complaints about adverse effects. Similarly, in 2018, a fake doctor received a hefty jail sentence related to the death of a woman caused by improperly administered silicone butt implants. Meanwhile, in 2015, a former madam in Philadelphia was sentenced after a dancer died from complications associated with illicit silicone injections.