Amid the shock over the case of Yulixa Toloza—who died during plastic surgery at a dubious establishment in Bogotá—the Colombian Society of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery (SCCP) has raised the alarm about the increase in cosmetic procedures performed in clandestine locations without minimum medical safety standards. The organization issued an urgent call to the public to take extreme precautions before undergoing surgeries such as liposuction and other invasive treatments.
The warning comes after learning of Toloza’s case, as well as other procedures performed in private homes and establishments not authorized to provide healthcare. According to the SCCP, these places lack adequate protocols and represent a serious risk to patients’ lives. The medical organization pointed out that many procedures promoted under names like “laser lipolysis,” “painless liposuction,” or “quick recovery” surgeries are, in reality, invasive surgical interventions. Although presented as simple or outpatient treatments, they require strict controls, constant monitoring, and specialized personnel.
The SCCP explained that liposuction, regardless of the technology used, should only be performed in accredited healthcare facilities. Furthermore, it reiterated that this type of surgery requires prior medical evaluation, adequate pain management, emergency response capabilities, and post-procedure follow-up.
Among the main irregularities detected by health authorities and medical personnel are the use of sedation without professional supervision, the absence of clinical controls, and the application of unauthorized substances. These practices can lead to severe infections, permanent deformities, thrombosis, embolisms, and even death.
“Plastic surgery must be performed under strict safety conditions, by trained personnel, and in accredited institutions. No cosmetic procedure is risk-free,” stated Damaris Romero Chamorro, president of the SCCP, emphasizing the importance of verifying who is performing the procedure and where it will take place.
