26-Year-Old Police Officer Dies After BBL Procedure in Miami Clinic

A promising young police officer from New Orleans has tragically lost her life after traveling to Miami for a cosmetic procedure. The death of 26-year-old Wildelis Rosa has once again put a spotlight on the growing concerns surrounding the cosmetic surgery industry in South Florida, a region that has seen dozens of similar fatalities in recent years.

Wildelis Rosa was not only a police officer serving her community in New Orleans, but also a U.S. Army Reservist who had recently returned from a deployment to Kuwait. Her sister, Anamin Vazquez, described her as driven, ambitious, and full of life. “She had just come back from deployment and was planning to apply for the FBI,” Vazquez said. “She clearly had a plan.”

taway. Rosa had scheduled a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure at Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic in Coral Way. The procedure involved liposuction and fat transfer to her buttocks, a popular but high-risk cosmetic surgery that has grown in demand despite repeated safety warnings from medical experts.

According to documentation shared by Rosa’s family, she paid $7,495 for the procedure and underwent pre-operative blood work on March 19, 2025. The surgery took place shortly after.

Rosa was reportedly discharged just an hour after surgery — a practice that is common but heavily criticized in high-volume surgery centers. Her sister said that Rosa texted family members a few days later, mentioning she was experiencing severe complications: extreme pain, numbness in her legs and feet, a dramatic drop in blood pressure, and difficulty breathing.

By March 23, Rosa was dead.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that she died from a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of arteries in the lungs, typically caused by blood clots. The condition is a known risk of procedures like BBL, where fat emboli can enter the bloodstream or immobility post-op can lead to deep vein thrombosis.

Rosa’s death was officially ruled an accidental death due to post-surgical complications.

Rosa is one of at least 25 people who have died from complications tied to cosmetic procedures in Miami-Dade County in the past three and a half years, according to NBC6 Investigates. Nearly all of these victims were women.

Miami has become a hub for low-cost, high-volume cosmetic surgery — often marketing aggressively to women from across the U.S. seeking dramatic transformations at bargain prices. However, these procedures often come with significant medical risks and inadequate post-operative care, especially when performed in fast-paced clinics with minimal regulation or oversight.

Why Are Brazilian Butt Lifts So Dangerous?

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) has one of the highest mortality rates of any cosmetic procedure. The danger arises when fat is accidentally injected into large veins, allowing it to travel to the lungs or heart, causing an embolism. Even when that doesn’t occur, the immobility associated with post-operative recovery significantly increases the risk of blood clots.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and other medical groups have repeatedly called for stricter safety protocols, including:

• Using ultrasound guidance during fat injections
• Avoiding deep muscle fat placement
• Mandatory overnight monitoring for out-of-town patients
• Extended post-op observation

Unfortunately, many clinics prioritize volume over safety, performing multiple surgeries per day per surgeon, often in outpatient settings with insufficient staffing or follow-up protocols.

Could This Death Have Been Prevented?

Rosa’s family strongly believes so. Her sister recounted messages and symptoms that indicate her condition was deteriorating in the days after surgery, including numbness, difficulty breathing, and purple lips, all potential red flags that were reportedly not addressed by medical staff.

According to the medical examiner’s report, Rosa was complaining of pain during her follow-up, and by Saturday, her symptoms worsened. Yet, there’s no indication that she received emergency medical care, or that Prestige Plastic Surgery took action despite clear warning signs of a possible embolism or circulatory issue.

Are Cosmetic Clinics Liable for These Deaths?

In Florida, medical malpractice claims can be filed when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in injury or death. However, proving malpractice in cases involving cosmetic surgery is often challenging, particularly in clinics that have patients sign extensive waivers or that claim complications were unavoidable.

That said, there are several grounds on which a wrongful death lawsuit may be pursued:

• Failure to monitor post-op conditions
• Premature discharge after high-risk procedures
• Neglecting to respond to signs of serious medical complications
• Lack of proper emergency response protocols

If a clinic is found to have violated medical standards or failed in their duty of care, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of support, and pain and suffering under The Florida Wrongful Death Act.

What You Should Know Before Getting Cosmetic Surgery

If you or a loved one are considering elective cosmetic surgery — especially out-of-state — here are a few safety tips:

1. Research the surgeon and clinic thoroughly. Confirm board certification and look up complaint history.
2. Ask about hospital privileges. Surgeons with hospital affiliations are generally held to higher standards.
3. Insist on post-op monitoring. Overnight observation is crucial after BBL and similar surgeries.
4. Understand all risks associated with your procedure, including blood clots and embolism.
5. Have a plan for emergencies. Know where the nearest full-service hospital is located.
6. Stay local. Flying home immediately after surgery can increase the risk of complications like blood clots.

The death of Wildelis Rosa is a devastating and sobering reminder of the hidden dangers that can come with cosmetic procedures, especially in high-volume surgery centers that prioritize speed over patient safety. Her loss has shaken her family and her community, both in New Orleans and in South Florida, and highlights the need for more transparency, oversight, and accountability in the cosmetic surgery industry.