Woman Nearly Dies From Botched Surgery in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Qroo — A 26-year-old woman from Monterrey, Fernanda López, narrowly survived a botched plastic surgery performed by a group of doctors in Playa del Carmen who allegedly misrepresented their credentials. The incident, which occurred in July 2023, has led to criminal charges against the physicians, though they continue to practice while the case proceeds.

A Dream Turned Nightmare

López traveled to Quintana Roo for a breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and fat transfer to her buttocks after being swayed by social media advertisements promoting the surgeons as highly skilled specialists. The initial quote of 220,000 pesos ($220,000 MXN) ballooned to over 700,000 pesos ($700,000 MXN) due to post-operative complications.

During the procedure, López noticed unprofessional conduct, and within days, her wounds became infected. Despite receiving follow-up care at the same clinic, her condition worsened. Upon returning to Monterrey, she required emergency treatment from other specialists.

“The surgery was supposed to improve my life, not leave me worse off,” López said. “Because of their negligence, I almost died. I went through hell, and I urge anyone considering surgery to thoroughly research their doctors.”

She criticized the clinic’s indifference, stating, “I returned to Monterrey with severe complications and vague instructions. I kept the doctors updated via WhatsApp, but they sent a colleague who couldn’t help. My expenses tripled due to their incompetence.”

Doctors Linked to Criminal Case

After months without improvement, López filed a formal complaint in July 2024 for professional and technical malpractice. The three doctors—Jorge Alfredo “N,” Sergio Antonio “N,” and Rafael Enrique “N”—were formally charged on April 1 and are currently under investigation while remaining free.

Candelario Maldonado, López’s attorney, confirmed the doctors are awaiting trial but expressed concern over their continued practice. “We’re pushing for preventive detention or house arrest to prevent them from fleeing,” he said. “Fernanda isn’t their only victim.”

Maldonado added that the case includes a civil lawsuit for damages, with the trial pending further evidence collection. Authorities have yet to restrict the doctors’ medical licenses despite the ongoing legal proceedings.