Fake Doctor Arrested After Allegedly Injecting Construction Silicone Into Patients

A woman posing as a doctor and specialist in cosmetic procedures has been arrested after allegedly injecting patients with a dangerous mix of construction silicone, air and saline solution.

Isabela de Melo Dantas was arrested by the Civil Police’s Fraud Investigation Department and taken to the Civil Police headquarters in Joao Pessoa, in Paraiba State, northeastern Brazil, on 27th August.

She had presented herself on social media as “Doctor Isabela Dantas”, the “queen of buttock enhancement” and a specialist in facial and body cosmetic procedures.

Dantas treated clients at a commercial building on Avenida Epitacio Pessoa in Joao Pessoa, where she allegedly carried out procedures marketed as buttock enhancement.

Among those who underwent treatment was influencer Mirela Veríssimo, who said she was approached by Isabela with an offer of a promotional partnership involving a buttock treatment in exchange for publicity.

Mirela said she became unwell during the procedure, which was carried out without anaesthetic, and later developed swelling and bruising in the treated area.

She said the swelling initially made the area appear larger, but after four or five days the volume had decreased and the final result was worse than before the treatment.

Mirela said: "I didn't know she wasn't a doctor, and she didn't show me the products she was using during the injections."

She recalled asking what was being injected during one appointment, when Dantas showed her an ampoule and drew a pink-coloured substance into a syringe before Mirela turned around and trusted her.

Mirela subsequently filed a police report.

A former employee, who was not identified, said Dantas repeatedly claimed to be a doctor when asked about her qualifications.

The former employee said: "She always said she was a doctor, and when people asked about her specialisation, she said she had a specialisation in aesthetics or was a surgical theatre assistant."

Dantas also allegedly told the former employee that she had been studying medicine but had suspended the course because she was struggling with a subject she disliked.

Other complaints included allegations that Dantas injected construction silicone into a patient's buttocks, leaving her with health complications that required emergency surgery.

Another patient alleged that Isabela claimed to use products including collagen stimulators and specific acids, but actually injected air and saline.

The patient said: "She said she used products such as collagen stimulators and a specific acid for the body, but I saw her putting air and saline into the syringe."

The patient reported severe pain and swelling and said the promised results were not achieved.

In another complaint, a patient said she discovered Isabela through a social media livestream advertising buttock enhancement for BRL 3,500 (GBP 500).

After undergoing the procedure at a clinic in the Bairro dos Estados district of Joao Pessoa, she said she was charged BRL 5,000 (GBP 712).

She later developed extensive bruising, said the treated area became hot and claimed she fainted from the pain.

Police arrested Dantas on suspicion of impersonating a medical professional and carrying out unauthorised cosmetic procedures.

The defence representing Isabela could not be located for comment.

(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)