Public warning out vs. fake doc in hotel-based cosmetic surgery
First of two parts
An artist's sketch of the fake doctor conducting
cosmetic surgeries.
One of the growing industries in the Philippines is the world of aesthetic surgery recorded to have generated between P10 to P25 billion in the past years.
Standards are set by the government with institutional interventions imposed by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).
Of late though it has been an acceptable practice to allow non-hospital settings among which is the emergence of mall-based clinics and cosmetic surgeries in doctors' offices.
Iloilo City is one of the venues for this multi-billion industry with majority of the clients cum patients belonging to Iloilo's "high-society" circle. Sadly though, Iloilo City like Metro Manila, Bulacan, Quezon City and Bacolod City, to name a few, has become venue of a highly-dangerous illegal cosmetic surgery practice.
'High-class surgery' for the Ilonggo elite in the hands of a masked cosmetic practitioner void of any medical licenses yet empowered by at least six years in practice. Emboldened now with his association to Ilonggo "agents" who all belong to the supposed "high-society" of Iloilo. To 'name' a few of his 'agents' and walking-advertisements – three Ilonggo women doctors in their 40s, a lady member of the Judiciary, top Ilonggo politician's wife, a government agency regional director and some 15 women members of one civic club here.
In Iloilo, he goes by the name of "Eugene De Rossa," "Dr. Eugene Dela Rossi" or merely "Dr. De Rosa." Longtime clients also recalled knowing him as a clinical assistant or engineer. Some patients thought he was indeed a legitimate doctor yet interestingly enough, most knew he was not, making them willing victims.
For years he has enjoyed his highly-exclusive private practice in no less than the better hotels of Iloilo City. One hotel alone recorded a total of 105 check-ins under the name "Eugene De Rossa" with usual room preference of adjoining Superior rooms here. He was a welcomed guest until the hotel's refusal in February of this year following repeated discoveries of trash cans filled with bloodied cotton and gauze. Similar refusals in three other big hotels in the city for similar reasons and concerns.
One hotel manager spoke with The News Today (TNT) on condition of anonymity. The hotel community is alarmed, the manager acknowledged, sharing that no less than key figures in the Ilonggo medical community expressed disgust and fear on the outcome of the illegal medical practice here.
In an interview, Dr. Henry Tupas, Iloilo Medical Society president confirmed the report saying an official complaint has been lodged by one IMS member.
This, after three morbidities of Rhinoplasty procedures (nose lift/nose job) were brought for corrective treatment.
"I believe this is the same person who used to carry out his illegal activities in Bacolod City. I have managed a number of his morbidities there as well. He comes in different pseudo-names and one of which is "Dr. De Rosa." He wears a surgical mask in and out of his office – the patients hardly recognize him," excerpts of the information reaching the IMS went.
"We are warning the public. He is not a licensed medical practitioner. Remember, even us doctors, not all of us can perform these cosmetic procedures. It is a specialty that calls for a specialized training. The dangers are real. The infections are fatal. We are bound by our oath to protect the community. Please do not entrust your life to an unqualified person. There is nothing wrong with cosmetic surgery but let legitimate doctors do it for you. By allowing this unlicensed practitioner do the procedure on you, you open yourself to more risks than benefits," Dr. Tupas said.
One former patient to this day want "De Rossi" to pay up for his botched medical procedure. She was brought to "De Rossi" by an Ilongga friend. She was only supposed to have her eye bags done yet convinced to do the nose job as well.
"Sabi niya (referring to her lady friend) nakaupo na rin lang ako so pagawa ko na ang ilong ko. Doon kami sa Bacolod clinic ni De Rossi pumunta (She said since I was already seated there, I might as well have my nose done. We went to the Bacolod clinic of De Rossi). I was really concerned then kasi nga ang dumi-dumi ng clinic pero natuloy na rin. Okay pa naman ako in like three days thereafter but then on the 10th day, I was alarmed kasi sobrang pula na ng ilong ko until lumala na nga at nagkaroon na ng nana. I was already bound for Japan so doon ko na pinaayos (because the clinic was filthy but then again we went ahead anyway. It was fine in the first three days then on the 10th day, it started to swell and became worse. It had pus already and since I was off to Japan, I had it corrected there).
My Japanese doctor said napakawalanghiya ng gumawa noon sa akin dahil hindi daw silicone ang naka implant (the one who did it to me was terrible because it was not silicone that was implanted). It looked like a glue stick, yun bang nilalagay sa glue gun. I tried several times to get hold of De Rossi but he was no longer within reach and did not return any of my calls. My friend cannot do anything as well kasi nga sabi niya pa rin, okay naman daw ang gawa sa kanya (since she said the procedures on her went well)," the former patient narrated of her ordeal.
A cosmetic surgeon reached by TNT confirmed similar infections from numerous patients who all sought corrective treatment thereafter.
(To be continued)