Botched Mexico Nose Job Victim Laura Avila Dies At Age 35
Nov. 25 2018, Published 1:52 p.m. ET
Dallas realtor Laura Avila, who traveled to Mexico to get a nose job and wound up brain damaged, has died.
The tragic plastic surgery victim's sister Angie posed a Facebook statement on Saturday, November 24, writing that Avila had passed away at 8 a.m. and adding, "My heart aches, and I truly don’t know how or if I’ll ever overcome this pain.
"I love you, Laura Avila. Thank you for being the best sister in the world."
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Avila's rhinoplasty procedure in Juarez, Mexico went horribly wrong and she suffered severe brain damage. Avila had headed to Juarez, with her fiance Enrique Cruz along for support, to save money on her nose job, which would cost about one third less than the $7,500 it would cost in America.
Doctors allegedly began the operation on October 30 by administering Avila anesthesia via her spine. The anesthesia reportedly traveled to her brain, instead of downward throughout her body. Avila soon went into cardiac arrest and hospital officials put her into a medically induced coma to prevent further brain damage. The rhinoplasty was never performed.
Cruz, who was in the waiting area, wasn't told what had happened.
He told WFAA, "I was really concerned... I got upset because they wouldn't let me see her." Cruz said doctors finally told him they couldn't do the surgery because Avila's blood pressure had dropped.
After four days in a Mexican clinic, Avila was transported to a university hospital in El Paso, Texas. However, her family said officials at the Juarez Rino Center tried to stop them from leaving with Avila because they didn't pay the bill. "The hospital in Mexico basically held us hostage because we wouldn't pay the full amount," her sister sighed. Texas hospital doctors confirmed that Avila was brain dead. She was put on hospice care and now has died.
Avila's family has hired an attorney, Larry Friedman, who warned against cheap plastic surgery in a statement, noting, "She had the best of life in front of her until this tragic, unfortunate and senseless death. So that her death is not in vain, people should think of Laura before they look for cross border discount surgery. They should do their homework and investigate the experience, training and track record of anyone BEFORE they sign up."
The legal eagle added, "Always LOOK before you leap!"
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.