A recent lawsuit filed in Ventura County has raised serious allegations of medical negligence against a local medical center and its practitioner. On September 24, 2024, Ivon Valdez initiated legal proceedings in the Superior Court of California for the County of Ventura against Celebrating Women Center and Dr. Adrienne Lara, M.D., alleging professional negligence following a cosmetic surgery procedure.
The case revolves around a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) performed on February 3, 2023, by Dr. Adrienne Lara at the Celebrating Women Center. According to the complaint, Valdez was instructed to wear a compression garment post-surgery for optimal recovery; however, this garment was not available on the day of her procedure. It was only after returning home that Valdez learned about its necessity through her boyfriend rather than directly from medical staff. The makeshift garment provided later was uncomfortable and ill-fitting, which Valdez claims contributed to her subsequent health issues.
Valdez's post-operative journey has been fraught with complications. By February 13, she exhibited symptoms such as slow capillary refill in her left thigh and elevated blood pressure. Her condition worsened over time, leading to numbness, swelling, and discoloration in her left leg by late February. Despite multiple evaluations by various specialists including vascular surgeon Dr. S. Skillern and neurologist Dr. Mani Nezhad throughout 2023 and into 2024, Valdez continued to suffer from persistent leg numbness and other neurological symptoms.
The complaint accuses Dr. Lara and Celebrating Women Center of failing to provide adequate care before, during, and after the surgery—alleging negligent treatment that led to nerve injuries and prolonged suffering for Valdez. Specific accusations include negligent performance of the BBL procedure itself as well as inadequate post-operative management that allegedly resulted in peripheral neuralgia/neuropraxia.
In seeking redress from the court, Valdez is pursuing general and special damages exceeding $35,000 for pain and suffering endured due to alleged malpractice. The lawsuit emphasizes the breach of duty by healthcare providers who failed to uphold standard care practices expected within their profession.
Representing Ivon Valdez is attorney Steven F. Calderwood from Calderwood Law Group while details regarding defense counsel remain unspecified at this time. The case is presided over under Case No: 2024CUMMO03 1256.