ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida doctor has lost his medical license after a patient died from a “Brazilian butt lift,” according to a WESH report.
The Florida Board of Medicine revoked the license of Dr. Christopher Walker, who practiced at Beja Body Med Spa in downtown Orlando. His license was suspended after the patient died in 2021.
WESH reported that Walker performed liposuction on a 38-year-old woman as part of the procedure, but he “repeatedly crossed through the patient’s abdominal muscles and punctured multiple organs and arteries,” during the procedure.
The complaint claims the victim suffered from serious internal bleeding and died that night from her injuries.
Walker reportedly pleaded guilty in 2022 to felony charges for getting kickbacks and bribes in exchange for patient referrals.
At his hearing before the Board of Medicine last week, the chief legal counsel for the Florida Health Department said Walker was not board-certified in cosmetic surgery but also noted that is not a requirement in Florida.
“[The] respondent began performing cosmetic surgery procedures at MedSurg despite not being board certified in plastic surgery, having privileges to perform cosmetic surgery at a hospital, or having a comparable background, skill, and training to perform cosmetic surgery,” Andrew Pietrylo, chief legal counsel for the state health department, said.
Walker reportedly asked for redemptive justice and pleaded for a lesser penalty.
“I accept full responsibility for my mistake and the grave error I made. I understand that my mistake, though unintended, has caused immense pain and suffering, and I’m filled with profound sorrow for the family affected by this loss,” Walker said.
The board ultimately followed a state administrative law judge’s recommendation and revoked his medical license.
