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• “Black Madam” Wanted for Performing Unlicensed Buttocks Injection Plastic Surgery

  By Dr. Jeffrey J. Roth Tue, February 15, 2011 12:09 pm MDT

  Philadelphia police are seeking Padge Victoria Windslowe, a self-described Goth hip hop singer know as "Black Madam" from Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Ms. Windslowe allegedly injected a British woman, Claudia Aderotimi, 20, with silicone to the buttocks at a Hampton Inn near the Philadelphia International Airport.

  Authorities believe Ms. Aderotimi died after the botched buttocks enhancement plastic surgery procedure when the silicone injection traveled to her lung and caused a fatal embolism.

  "If the medical examiner rules the cause of death was the injection, then there is a chance for a murder charge," said Lt. John Walker, police spokesman, on Saturday.

  Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports from the Delaware County medical examiner's office, which could take up to eight weeks.

  The illegal plastic surgery procedure was completed at about 1:30 p.m. local time at the Hampton Inn on Monday, February 7th. Medics were called to the hotel in response to Aderotimi's reports of difficulty breathing and chest pains. She was rushed to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 1:32 a.m. on Tuesday.

  "What we believe happened is that the injector nicked a vein and put the substance into the bloodstream. It goes through your vascular system and lands in the lung and since it's a gel, it will pile up like a rock,” said Walker.

  "If that's truly what happened, it's a murder charge. That (a murder charge) is what we expect will happen," he said.

  According to the federal Food and Drug Administration, it is illegal to inject silicone into the buttocks, Walker said. Fat transfers and implants by a licensed professional plastic surgeon are allowed, but silicone is not, he said.

  The women gathered their information from the Internet on how to enhance their curves. Aderotimi wanted to enhance her buttocks. Her friend wanted to enhance her hips.

  They were referred to Windslowe by an online contact, a woman from Saddle River, New Jersey who had been undergoing the procedure since 2008.

  They all met at the Hampton Inn, and the New Jersey woman, who was also injected, is cooperating with police. It was not clear yet whether she would be charged, he said.

  A search warrant was served on Windslowe's apartment and among the items sought was "super glue," which is typically used at the injection site in some cosmetic procedures.

  "After the injection, the port is super glued together so the liquid won't leak out. A simple Band-Aid won't work because of the force you need to inject the liquid," Walker said.

  This event is a great tragedy and my heart goes out to the family of Ms. Claudia Aderotimi. Unfortunately, her death may have been preventable.

  Unforeseen complications can occur during any medical procedure. Physicians, plastic surgeons and licensed aesthetic and cosmetic practitioners in the United States receive years of education and training and are regulated by strict guidelines to prevent unnecessary risk. Having an illegal, and potentially dangerous treatment performed by an unlicensed practitioner eliminates all of the safety procedures established by state medical boards.

  In the case of Ms. Aderotimi, silicone was not a good substance to use as liquid injectable silicone can be injected into the vascular system, causing breathing problems if it travels to the lungs.

  Furthermore, having any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure done at an unlicensed and unregulated clinic usually involves a lack of appropriate personnel and equipment. Professionally trained and experienced plastic surgery practitioners can identify patients who may have potential for problems. If the patient does have a complication, properly trained and equipped cosmetic and aesthetic health personnel can help to identify and resolve the issue.

  This is why it is important to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon. They will evaluate your goals and come up with the appropriate plastic or cosmetic procedure that is safe and promises health and well being for the future. Any potential financial cost saved by seeing an unlicensed cosmetic practitioner is clearly not worth putting yourself at risk or compromising your personal health and safety.
   

  Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.

  Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

  (702) 450-0777

  www.jjrothmd.com

  References:

  ABC News

  Reuters

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