What started as a way to boost confidence has turned into a heartbreaking situation for a family in Florida.
Daidys Peña, who is 50 years old, had a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) at A&E Med Spa in May 2023. Her husband, Jorge Fernandez, said that the surgery led to a pulmonary embolism, which caused serious brain damage, making it impossible for her to walk, talk, or eat by herself.
“She was my first, like my first love,” Jorge shared with 7 News. He remembered telling his wife that she was perfect just the way she was, but he supported her choice to go through with the surgery. He never thought it would leave her fighting for her life.
Doctors initially told Jorge to get ready for the worst. Against all odds, Daidys made it through, but now she relies on a feeding tube and needs constant care from her husband. “She will never talk, walk, or eat on her own again,” he said.
Jorge has now filed a lawsuit against A&E Med Spa and the surgeon, Dr. Fermin Esteban Morales, who did the procedure. The lawsuit claims that they were misled about Morales’ qualifications.
Even though Morales is a licensed general surgeon, he is not certified in plastic surgery. Attorney Lavenia Santos, who is representing the family, pointed out that patients often think otherwise. “Based on what the agents at A&E Med Spa said, any reasonable person would think that Morales was board-certified in plastic surgery when, in reality, he was not,” Santos explained.
According to Florida law, any doctor with a license can legally do cosmetic procedures, no matter what their specialty is. Santos pointed out that many patients might think twice about risky procedures if they knew the whole truth. “What happened to her shouldn’t happen to anyone,” she said.
This isn’t the first time people have questioned Morales’ work. Earlier this year, the State Surgeon General suggested penalties against him after another patient died during a butt lift procedure. State records don’t show how that situation was handled.
In response to the lawsuit, A&E Med Spa has denied all accusations and mentioned that Morales no longer works there. Their lawyer chose not to say anything more. Morales himself hasn’t replied to requests for comments.
For Jorge, the main concern is not the legal fight anymore but making sure no one else has to go through what his wife did. “We will make sure no other family has to go through this nightmare,” he stated.
At the same time, friends and supporters have started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with Daidys’ medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. The page explains that she has a “serious brain injury due to a huge pulmonary embolism” and mentions that she was in the hospital for seven months.
The fundraiser aims to raise $25,000 to help with her ongoing care, rehabilitation, and everyday needs. So far, the campaign has not reached its goal.
