Plastic Surgery Lawsuit Claims Severe Complications

A woman has filed a lawsuit, claiming she lost her nipples and experienced significant implant issues following a problematic plastic surgery procedure.

Machelle Latimer, aged 46, sought a breast lift and enhancement in August 2023 to address her ‘sagging’ chest and attain an athletic appearance. She underwent a four-hour surgery with Dr. Christopher Salgado in Miami, Florida, at The Secret Plastic Surgery clinic, which reportedly went smoothly without any initial complications.

However, Latimer alleges that the next day, she awoke to find her nipples and areolas had turned black. According to the lawsuit, tissue can darken post-surgery due to blood loss, often signaling potential complications. Usually, this kind of change raises alarms for surgeons, suggesting tissue death and possible risks, including infection or sepsis.

Remarkably, Latimer claims it took five months before she was admitted to the hospital. She states that both the surgeon and clinic continually reassured her that her recovery was progressing favorably, despite her concerns about the alarming changes to her body.

During her follow-up visits, Latimer consulted Dr. Salgado three times after noticing the issue with her nipples. He prescribed creams to address what he described as ‘superficial skin damage.’ Throughout this period, she also maintained communication with the clinic, sending multiple photos documenting her worsening condition but received dismissive reassurances.

Before proceeding with the surgery, Latimer had initially been scheduled to undergo the procedure in July 2023 but was postponed due to a low red blood cell count, which raised concerns about potential complications. Although she had a previous breast lift a decade earlier, limiting options for a second surgery, the clinic later contacted her, informing her that Dr. Salgado had changed his mind and would proceed with the operation.

On August 22, Latimer underwent surgery. Subsequently, on the following day, she returned to the clinic for a photo shoot and claims her nipples were already discolored and bleeding. She asserts that no treatments were offered at that moment.

Dr. Salgado later saw Latimer again about a month after the surgery, assuring her that she was recovering properly, despite the concerning state of her nipples. He applied collagen to her nipples and instructed her to come back for a follow-up in two weeks.

Despite this, her condition continued to decline. By October, she again sent images to the clinic, showcasing the blackened skin over her nipples. She mentioned swelling and signs of infection but was told that everything was progressing nicely.

It was not until January 5, 2024, during another appointment, that Dr. Salgado recognized that she had completely lost her left nipple and partially lost the right one. He prescribed a treatment designed to address dead tissue. On January 14, Latimer reported that her left nipple had fallen off, exposing the implant, alongside severe symptoms including pain and foul drainage.

Finally, on January 17, she went to the hospital, where doctors documented a major infection and extensive tissue damage. They executed two surgeries to remove the problematic implants and affected tissues.

According to Latimer, this traumatic experience has not only left her physically altered but has also affected her emotional well-being, making intimacy challenging. A breast cancer oncologist who reviewed her case noted that Latimer was fortunate to survive without developing a severe infection.

Expressing her desire for accountability, Latimer stated, “I’ve filed this lawsuit because I want to ensure that what I’ve gone through does not happen to anyone else ever again, and I’m hopeful that this will encourage others to have the courage to advocate for themselves and their health.”