Andreia Vieira Gaspar, a 51-year-old businesswoman, died in the early hours of 12 August, hours after undergoing a six-in-one cosmetic procedure on her face and neck at a hospital in Goiânia, Brazil.
The operation lasted around 10 hours and involved a deep-plane facelift, forehead lift, bony genioplasty, blepharoplasty, neck liposuction and nanofat injection. Andreia reportedly left the operating theatre heavily swollen and struggling to breathe.
Condition deteriorated overnight
Her condition worsened throughout the night, with neck pain and increasing breathing difficulties. She reportedly told her sister, Djiane Vieira: "Sis, I'm dying." Djiane then begged for help in a group chat with the medical team, writing: "My sister is dying. You're not answering, nobody's coming. Please, for God's sake."
A medical report cited by Andreia's family identified acute thrombosis and pulmonary infarction as the causes of death.
Family speaks out
Andreia, who previously ran a beauty salon in Goiânia, had lived in Spain for five years and travelled to Brazil to undergo the procedure, which her family said had been a long-held dream. Djiane said: "She spent two years saving up. It's not easy to put together BRL 118,000 (£16,800) on a salary. It was a dream she'd had for years."
According to her family, Andreia contacted the medical team through social media, with the arrangements initially being made via messages.
Investigation requested
Andreia's family also questioned the hospital's facilities, claiming it did not have an intensive care unit. The Goiás Public Prosecutor's Office has requested that a police investigation be opened into possible involuntary manslaughter.
Andreia's family is questioning the care provided during the post-operative period and claims she could have received medical assistance before her condition deteriorated.
Lawyer Cristiene Pereira Couto, who represents Ankar Hospital, said in a statement: "The patient received immediate emergency treatment, with medical and nursing staff providing care and taking the necessary measures in response to her condition."
They stressed that her pre-operative assessment and tests were carried out externally before she was admitted to Ankar Hospital for the surgery.
"Once the emergency occurred, she was promptly attended to by the staff present, who used the necessary hospital facilities and carried out the appropriate emergency measures."
The surgeon, Dr Lessandro Martins, said he was deeply saddened by Andreia's death and "sympathises with the pain of her family". He added that he was confident "the investigation will demonstrate that the care provided was appropriate."
