Chinese Woman Dies After 6 Cosmetic Surgeries in 2 Days; Family Seeks Compensation of $168,000

Chinese Woman Dies After 6 Cosmetic Surgeries in 2 Days: A tragic incident has raised serious concerns over cosmetic surgery practices in China, as a woman died after undergoing six cosmetic procedures in just two days. The 33-year-old, identified as Liu, from Guigang, Guangxi province, visited a clinic in Nanning on December 9, 2020, with the hopes of enhancing her appearance. Tragically, the multiple surgeries led to her untimely death, and now her family is demanding compensation of 1.2 million yuan (approximately $168,000) from the clinic involved.

Details of the Fatal Procedures

Liu had taken out a loan of over 40,000 yuan (around $5,600) to finance the costly procedures, which included a double eyelid surgery, a nose job, liposuction, and fat injections. The first round of surgeries took place on December 9, when Liu underwent double eyelid surgery and a nose job, which lasted five hours.

The following day, Liu underwent liposuction on her thighs, followed by fat injections into her face and breasts. The surgeries took another five hours to complete. Tragically, after being discharged on December 11, Liu collapsed in the clinic’s lift and was rushed to another hospital, where she was declared dead.

Cause of Death: Acute Respiratory Failure

An autopsy report confirmed that Liu’s death was caused by acute respiratory failure due to a pulmonary embolism, which resulted from the liposuction procedure. Pulmonary embolism, a serious complication often caused by fat dislodging during liposuction, can obstruct the lungs and lead to sudden death if not treated promptly.

Family Seeks Justice and Compensation

Liu leaves behind two young children, an 8-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Her family, devastated by the loss, has filed a lawsuit against the clinic at the Jiangnan District People’s Court in Nanning, demanding 1.18 million yuan (approximately $168,000) in compensation for their loss.

Legal Proceedings and Court Ruling

Following an investigation, it was revealed that the clinic had the necessary legal documents to carry out the procedures, and both doctors involved were licensed to perform the surgeries. However, in May 2021, the court ruled that the clinic was fully responsible for Liu’s death and initially ordered a compensation of over 1 million yuan (about $140,000).

However, the clinic appealed the decision, and in August 2023, the court revised the compensation amount to 590,000 yuan, acknowledging only partial responsibility on the clinic’s part. This decision has raised concerns about the legal accountability of clinics involved in high-risk cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic Surgery in China

This incident highlights the growing demand for cosmetic surgeries in China, where millions are opting for procedures to alter their appearance. Despite the popularity of these treatments, cases like Liu’s underscore the potential risks associated with multiple surgeries performed in a short period.

Experts advise that individuals seeking cosmetic surgeries be fully aware of the risks involved and ensure that they choose licensed and experienced professionals to avoid such tragedies.

The death of Liu has drawn attention to the need for stricter regulations and oversight of cosmetic surgery clinics in China. While legal action has been taken, the case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of cosmetic procedures and the responsibility of clinics to ensure the safety of their patients. As the legal battle continues, Liu’s family hopes for justice and that their tragedy will lead to reforms that could prevent similar incidents in the future.