MIAMI, FL – Two patients who traveled to South Florida for cosmetic procedures died within weeks of each other after surgeries at the same Miami clinic, prompting legal action and raising questions about safety practices at a facility with a large social media following.
Kenly Millan Aponte, 35, of Kentucky, died April 29 after undergoing a “mommy makeover” at Svelta Plastic Surgery, while Endrys Elian Martinez, 19, of Tennessee, died May 26 following complications tied to a rhinoplasty procedure. Both families are now represented by attorney George Silva, who alleges serious lapses in care at the clinic.
Aponte’s husband, Jefferson Carrasco, said the procedure was intended as a birthday gift. “It was supposed to be her birthday present,” Carrasco told WTVJ. He said he was later informed that complications arose during surgery. “I received a call from the clinic telling me that she had complications, that her oxygen saturation dropped, and that they were taking her to the hospital,” he said. “When she arrived at the hospital, my wife had already died.”
Allegations of delayed response and missing equipment
According to fire and medical records reviewed by WTVJ, Aponte went into cardiac arrest on the operating table. When first responders arrived, “no CPR was in progress,” and clinic staff could not provide an exact timeline of when the emergency began, Silva said.
“I have read probably 5,000 to 10,000 fire rescue reports in my career. And I’ve never seen one like this,” Silva told WTVJ. He also cited delays in emergency response, saying crews were slowed by building access issues. “A young woman is hanging on to life, and that when fire rescue arrived, that there wasn’t even an elevator available for them,” Silva said.
Silva further stated that responders documented the absence of a crash cart in the operating room. “It is mandatory by the state of Florida for an ambulatory surgical center to have a crash cart readily available,” he told WTVJ.
Martinez case centers on anesthesia complication
Martinez, a Memphis resident, had traveled to Miami after seeing the clinic promoted online. The facility maintains a significant social media presence, with hundreds of thousands of followers across platforms.
According to Silva, Martinez experienced a medical emergency before his procedure began. “[Martinez] remained without oxygen for countless minutes,” Silva told WFOR. “Eventually, he was declared irreversibly brain dead this past Memorial Day.”
Martinez’s father raised concerns about the influence of the clinic’s online presence. “Their followers are just trusting what they say because they have this inordinate amount of following on social media,” Endrys Martinez Sr. told the Miami Herald. His mother, Iblin Martinez, added, “From the very beginning, he set his eyes on this one, and this is where he was going to have his surgery.”
Silva said specific medical details in both cases have not been publicly disclosed due to patient privacy laws but emphasized that both families intend to pursue legal claims tied to alleged negligence.
Clinic responds to allegations
Svelta Plastic Surgery said it is reviewing the incidents and disputed the accuracy of public reports. “We take these matters with the utmost seriousness and share the public’s desire to understand and address what is being reported in the news,” the clinic said in a statement. “First and foremost, we extend our deepest condolences to the families affected during this painful time.”
The clinic added that current reports “do not fully or accurately reflect the facts of what occurred” and said it is conducting an internal review. “We are gathering information to conduct an analysis of the true causes, so that we may better understand these outcomes,” the statement said.
Both deaths remain central to ongoing legal action as families seek accountability for what they describe as preventable tragedies tied to cosmetic procedures in South Florida.
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