A 32-year-old man from Mangaluru tragically lost his life during a routine cosmetic procedure for gynecomastia on September 23. Gynecomastia is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the chest area due to elevated estrogen levels. This condition, while common and typically non-threatening, causes discomfort for many men and often leads them to seek corrective surgery. Unfortunately, what should have been a minor, straightforward procedure turned into a devastating event for this man and his family.
On the day of the surgery, the man’s family had no reason to suspect anything would go wrong. The surgery, designed to remove the excess fat from the chest area, was scheduled to last just 30 minutes. However, as time passed, and the surgery extended far beyond the expected duration, the family grew increasingly concerned. Their anxiety deepened when the doctor informed them that complications had arisen during the procedure.
According to the doctor, the patient’s condition had become critical, and he needed to be transferred to a private hospital for further treatment. Tragically, despite the medical intervention, the man passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. His family was left devastated, having lost their loved one to what should have been a routine and safe surgery.
We inspected the centre and found some deficiencies, leading to its closure. It is premature to conclude that the young man died due to an error in administering anaesthesia. An expert team will be constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
Mullai Muhilan M P, Deputy Commissioner
Immediately after the death, the man’s family filed a case against the doctor at the Mangaluru East Police Station, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the botched procedure. The police, in collaboration with medical authorities, launched an inquiry into the incident. The initial findings revealed several disturbing lapses in the clinic’s practices and adherence to medical standards.
Following these revelations, a medical team from the Dakshina Kannada District Health Department conducted a raid on the clinic where the surgery had taken place. The investigation found that the clinic had been operating without following the proper safety protocols and standards required for such medical procedures. As a result, the clinic was shut down immediately, and further action was taken to ensure that no other patients would be put at risk by its substandard practices.
It is learnt that the patient had been for a liposuction procedure to treat gynecomastia. The detailed inquiry by the expert team will throw more lights into the factor that led his death.
Mullai Muhilan M P, Deputy Commissioner
In addition to the closure of the clinic, the health department has vowed to implement stricter regulations and oversight to prevent future incidents. The tragic loss of life has not only shaken the man’s family but also raised serious concerns about the regulation and safety of cosmetic surgery clinics in the region. The family, still reeling from their sudden and painful loss, is seeking justice and answers about how this preventable tragedy occurred. They have expressed their frustration, emphasizing that their loved one’s death was the result of negligence and a failure to follow basic medical protocols.
The incident has sparked wider conversations about the safety of cosmetic surgeries in India, particularly in smaller, lesser-known clinics. Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people opting for procedures to enhance their appearance or correct physical issues. However, this rising demand has also led to a surge in clinics offering cosmetic procedures, some of which do not adhere to strict medical guidelines or lack qualified professionals to carry out the surgeries safely.
Health authorities are now under pressure to take immediate steps to regulate the industry more rigorously, ensuring that clinics meet the required standards of care. The death of the Mangaluru man serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved when cosmetic surgeries are not performed under the right conditions or by trained, experienced professionals.
For the man’s grieving family, the loss is immeasurable. What was supposed to be a simple, elective procedure turned into a nightmare, and now they must live with the consequences of a preventable error. As the legal process unfolds, they are determined to hold those responsible accountable and hope that their fight for justice will lead to changes that prevent others from suffering the same fate.
This tragic event has left the community in shock, with many calling for tighter regulations and oversight of medical practices, especially in the cosmetic surgery industry. While the clinic has been shut down and the authorities are investigating the case, the family’s fight for justice continues as they seek accountability for their loved one’s untimely death.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
