ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando doctor had his medical license revoked after a “Brazilian butt lift” patient of his died.
A complaint against the doctor identified as Christopher A.R. Walker at Beja Body Med Spa indicated that he performed a procedure on a 38-year-old woman in January 2021.
The complaint explains that the operation involved liposuction of the patient’s abdomen and back, with the fat instead being transferred to her “gluteal region.”
However, the complaint claims that Walker “repeatedly crossed” through the patient’s abdominal muscles during the procedure, and punctured several of her organs and arteries.
As a result, the patient suffered serious internal bleeding, and she died from her injuries later that evening, the complaint shows.
“(Walker) knew or had reason to know that he was not competent to perform liposuction due to his lack of education, training, and/or experience,” the complaint reads.
State records show that while Walker was a medical doctor, he was not a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, that isn’t a requirement in Florida to perform this sort of procedure.
Walker appeared before the Florida Board of Medicine on Dec. 5, where the board followed a state judge’s recommendation and ultimately revoked Walker’s medical license.
During a statement to the board, Walker said the following:
“I sit before you today, completely broken. For 28 years, I’ve been privileged to be a physician, and I’ve dedicated my life to the practice of medicine with a fervent desire to help others and to make a positive impact on the lives of my patients.
In my eagerness to help my patients suffering from tremendous pain from the faulty vaginal mesh implants, I unfortunately unintentionally failed to comply with the laws governing patient travel that resulted in me being criminally charged by a New York prosecutor. During this turmoil, when I was being criminally charged, my freedom and livelihood were threatened. I tragically lost a patient under my care. This indescribable tragedy has left me with profound grief.
In my 25 years of being a surgeon, operating on over 15,000 patients and saving many lives, this was my first loss. Looking back now, I see where my — in my distress, my judgment was flawed in my effort to survive under the weight of a criminal indictment, and I accept full responsibility for my mistake and the grave error I made. I understand that mistake, though unintended, has caused immense pain and suffering, and I’m filled with profound sorrow for the family affected by this loss, and I extend my deepest apologies to them. Their pain is a burden that I live with daily.”
Cristopher A.R. Walker during Dec. 5 Florida Board of Medicine hearing
Walker also pleaded for “redemptive justice,” asking the board to lessen the penalty below revocation. Despite the plea, the board still voted to remove his medical license.
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