What was meant to be a procedure to boost confidence has turned into a life-altering tragedy for a family in Florida.
In May 2023, 50-year-old Daidys Peña underwent a Brazilian Butt Lift at A&E Med Spa. According to her husband, Jorge Fernandez, complications from the surgery caused a pulmonary embolism that led to severe brain damage. As a result, Daidys can no longer walk, speak, or eat without assistance.
“She was my first love,” Jorge told 7 News. He said he always reassured his wife that she didn’t need cosmetic surgery but supported her decision. He never imagined it would leave her fighting for her life.
Doctors initially warned Jorge that she might not survive. Although Daidys pulled through, she now relies on a feeding tube and requires constant, around-the-clock care from her husband. “She will never walk, talk, or eat on her own again,” he said.
Jorge has since filed a lawsuit against A&E Med Spa and the doctor who performed the procedure, Dr. Fermin Esteban Morales. The lawsuit claims the couple were misled about the surgeon’s credentials.
While Morales is licensed as a general surgeon, he is not board-certified in plastic surgery. The family’s attorney, Lavenia Santos, argues that the spa’s representations would lead a reasonable person to believe he was a board-certified plastic surgeon, when he was not.
Under Florida law, any licensed physician may legally perform cosmetic procedures, regardless of specialty. Santos emphasized that many patients might reconsider high-risk surgeries if they fully understood this. “What happened to her should never happen to anyone,” she said.
This is not the first time Morales’ work has drawn scrutiny. Earlier this year, the State Surgeon General recommended disciplinary action after another patient died during a butt lift procedure, though state records do not indicate the outcome of that case.
A&E Med Spa has denied all allegations in the lawsuit and stated that Morales is no longer affiliated with the facility. Their attorney declined to provide additional comment, and Morales has not responded to requests for a statement.
For Jorge, the priority now is protecting others from experiencing the same ordeal. “We will make sure no other family has to go through this nightmare,” he said.
Friends and supporters have also organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Daidys’ medical expenses and rehabilitation. The fundraiser describes her condition as a severe brain injury caused by a massive pulmonary embolism and notes she spent seven months hospitalized.
The campaign aims to raise $25,000 to support her ongoing care and daily needs and has not yet reached its goal.