1 00:00:11,512 --> 00:00:16,225 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:16,225 --> 00:00:17,601 VAN ZELLER: We've been, you know, waiting 3 00:00:17,601 --> 00:00:19,811 for this moment for so long. 4 00:00:19,811 --> 00:00:22,397 I start getting anxious beforehand. 5 00:00:22,397 --> 00:00:26,068 VOICE (over computer): Welcome. Please take your ticket. Please drive inside. 6 00:00:28,070 --> 00:00:30,364 VAN ZELLER: So I don't know a lot about this person. 7 00:00:30,364 --> 00:00:33,408 I just know that he's willing to talk. 8 00:00:36,411 --> 00:00:39,373 I've reported on black market surgeries overseas. 9 00:00:42,501 --> 00:00:45,003 VAN ZELLER: But now, a series of suspicious deaths. 10 00:00:51,051 --> 00:00:53,553 VAN ZELLER: Have led me home to America. 11 00:00:53,553 --> 00:00:56,223 Where young women are checking in for plastic surgery and 12 00:00:56,223 --> 00:00:58,934 never checking out. 13 00:00:58,934 --> 00:01:00,644 REPORTER (over TV): A family is heartbroken. 14 00:01:00,644 --> 00:01:02,271 REPORTER (over TV): Is conducting a death investigation. 15 00:01:02,271 --> 00:01:04,064 REPORTER (over TV): Another tragedy out of South Florida. 16 00:01:05,482 --> 00:01:06,858 REPORTER (over TV): Patient REPORTER (over TV): Range in age from 29 to 35. 17 00:01:06,858 --> 00:01:07,985 REPORTER (over TV): 31‐year‐old Latesha Bynum. 18 00:01:07,985 --> 00:01:09,111 REPORTER (over TV): Is in London. 19 00:01:09,111 --> 00:01:10,279 REPORTER (over TV): Kelly Mayhew. 20 00:01:10,279 --> 00:01:11,363 REPORTE (over TV): Danea Plasencia. 21 00:01:11,363 --> 00:01:12,864 REPORTER (over TV): Ria Valeria. 22 00:01:12,864 --> 00:01:14,783 REPORTER (over TV): Died after undergoing the same procedure. 23 00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:21,999 VAN ZELLER: I followed a trail of money, sex, and blood. 24 00:01:21,999 --> 00:01:25,711 From the strip clubs of Atlanta 25 00:01:26,253 --> 00:01:29,089 to a strip mall clinic in Miami. 26 00:01:29,089 --> 00:01:32,050 And to these people whose claims of greed‐driven 27 00:01:32,050 --> 00:01:35,887 managers and dangerous practices could destroy 28 00:01:35,887 --> 00:01:38,515 an entire industry. 29 00:01:40,726 --> 00:01:43,854 Why hasn't anyone come out and spoken, like you? 30 00:01:57,242 --> 00:02:03,498 ♪ ♪ 31 00:02:09,588 --> 00:02:11,340 VAN ZELLER: I'll just follow you. 32 00:02:11,340 --> 00:02:14,760 NIKKI: About to have my bubble scene with my man. 33 00:02:16,678 --> 00:02:19,222 VAN ZELLER: My journey to understand why so many young 34 00:02:19,222 --> 00:02:23,644 women are dying starts here on the set of a music video. 35 00:02:23,977 --> 00:02:24,853 ♪ Cold bitch ♪ 36 00:02:24,853 --> 00:02:25,854 ♪ And I'm from the 317 ♪ 37 00:02:25,854 --> 00:02:26,897 ♪ Tall bitch ♪ 38 00:02:26,897 --> 00:02:27,898 ♪ Kick her ass with a size 11 ♪ 39 00:02:27,898 --> 00:02:29,399 ♪ No hoe shit ♪ ♪ 40 00:02:29,399 --> 00:02:29,983 VAN ZELLER: So this is just a little part of the video. 41 00:02:29,983 --> 00:02:31,151 NIKKI: Yeah. 42 00:02:31,151 --> 00:02:32,277 VAN ZELLER: And this one is called? The song? 43 00:02:35,781 --> 00:02:38,200 VAN ZELLER: Nikki Sweets is an up‐and‐coming hip hop artist 44 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:42,496 looking to leverage her social media following into global stardom. 45 00:02:44,247 --> 00:02:46,583 NIKKI: The image that people wanna see on TV 46 00:02:46,583 --> 00:02:49,127 is the curvaceous woman. 47 00:02:49,127 --> 00:02:53,090 The more curvaceous you are, the more attractive you are to 48 00:02:53,090 --> 00:02:55,425 the crowd that you're selling to. 49 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,554 Like Nikki Minaj has the fattest ass and she's like the 50 00:02:59,554 --> 00:03:01,765 biggest female artist. 51 00:03:01,765 --> 00:03:03,684 VAN ZELLER: Ten years ago, Nikki didn't have the money 52 00:03:03,684 --> 00:03:05,644 for plastic surgery. 53 00:03:05,644 --> 00:03:09,189 So she paid a stranger for black market injections. 54 00:03:09,815 --> 00:03:12,192 NIKKI: To get my ass done was only like $700. 55 00:03:12,192 --> 00:03:13,443 VAN ZELLER: Wow. 56 00:03:13,443 --> 00:03:14,986 NIKKI: One of the worst experiences of my life. 57 00:03:14,986 --> 00:03:17,489 It was very painful, because I was up the whole time. 58 00:03:17,489 --> 00:03:19,700 There was no numbing, it was just, "Lay down. 59 00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:22,035 I'm going to stick these needles and I'mma fill you up." 60 00:03:22,035 --> 00:03:22,994 And. 61 00:03:22,994 --> 00:03:23,787 VAN ZELLER: What was it? What was. 62 00:03:23,787 --> 00:03:25,163 NIKKI: It was silicone. 63 00:03:25,163 --> 00:03:28,291 It was silicone injected into my ass at that time. 64 00:03:28,291 --> 00:03:29,835 Results were just like that. 65 00:03:29,835 --> 00:03:30,919 VAN ZELLER: Really? NIKKI: Yeah. 66 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:32,421 VAN ZELLER: Like the moment you left. 67 00:03:32,421 --> 00:03:33,463 NIKKI: The moment it happened I looked in the mirror and 68 00:03:33,463 --> 00:03:34,631 my ass was bigger. 69 00:03:34,631 --> 00:03:36,341 VAN ZELLER: Wow. 70 00:03:36,341 --> 00:03:37,342 Did you know what you were getting yourself into at the time? 71 00:03:37,342 --> 00:03:38,468 Did you know what it was going... 72 00:03:38,468 --> 00:03:40,220 NIKKI: No. VAN ZELLER: To feel like or. 73 00:03:40,220 --> 00:03:41,888 NIKKI: I mean, people talk, there was so many girls that did it. 74 00:03:43,473 --> 00:03:46,351 Years later I kept hearing about girls dying from it. 75 00:03:46,351 --> 00:03:47,644 Infections and stuff. 76 00:03:47,644 --> 00:03:50,063 To this day, I still get scared, 77 00:03:50,063 --> 00:03:51,815 like, am I going to be next? 78 00:03:51,815 --> 00:03:54,484 You know, like, is something going to happen to me next? 79 00:03:54,484 --> 00:03:55,944 VAN ZELLER: Like any black market, 80 00:03:55,944 --> 00:03:59,406 the trade in these illegal injections is driven by demand. 81 00:03:59,823 --> 00:04:01,992 And just like in drugs or guns, 82 00:04:01,992 --> 00:04:05,829 the transactions you hear about are the ones that go wrong. 83 00:04:06,246 --> 00:04:08,707 REPORTER (over TV): 35‐year‐old Wakesha Reid died. 84 00:04:08,707 --> 00:04:10,625 ANCHOR (over TV): She died afte a silicone beauty injection. 85 00:04:10,625 --> 00:04:12,627 REPORTER (over TV): Kelly Mayhe died after a procedure in this. 86 00:04:12,627 --> 00:04:14,379 REPORTER (over TV): 31‐year‐old Latesha Bynum suffered 87 00:04:14,379 --> 00:04:17,716 severe complications after buttock enhancement injection. 88 00:04:19,092 --> 00:04:22,345 VAN ZELLER: Behind every one of these fatalities is a pumper, 89 00:04:22,345 --> 00:04:25,849 a shadowy figure illegally injecting women with 90 00:04:25,849 --> 00:04:29,770 anything from medical silicone to furniture polish. 91 00:04:32,022 --> 00:04:34,024 How many people do you think will be here tonight? 92 00:04:34,024 --> 00:04:35,734 D'NISHA: Every section is sold. 93 00:04:35,734 --> 00:04:36,902 VAN ZELLER: Really? D'NISHA: Yes. 94 00:04:36,902 --> 00:04:38,028 VAN ZELLER: It's sold‐out? D'NISHA: Yes. 95 00:04:38,028 --> 00:04:39,571 VAN ZELLER: And to find a pumper, 96 00:04:39,571 --> 00:04:42,532 I thought I'd start by seeking out women who rely on curves 97 00:04:42,532 --> 00:04:44,659 to make a living. 98 00:04:44,659 --> 00:04:46,286 How long have you been waitressing here for? 99 00:04:46,286 --> 00:04:47,996 D'NISHA: Since we opened two years ago. 100 00:04:47,996 --> 00:04:49,372 VAN ZELLER: So it's gonna be a big night? 101 00:04:49,372 --> 00:04:50,665 D'NISHA: Huge. 102 00:04:50,665 --> 00:04:52,834 VAN ZELLER: My guide, D'nisha Kidwell, 103 00:04:52,834 --> 00:04:54,961 has offered to take me on her rounds, 104 00:04:54,961 --> 00:04:58,215 as she selects the dancers who will work the floor tonight. 105 00:04:59,591 --> 00:05:00,967 D'NISHA: This is the dressing room. 106 00:05:00,967 --> 00:05:03,887 VAN ZELLER: Whoa, it's packed already. 107 00:05:03,887 --> 00:05:05,722 Oh, wow. Hi. 108 00:05:05,722 --> 00:05:06,890 DANCER: Hi. 109 00:05:06,890 --> 00:05:08,099 VAN ZELLER: How are you? DANCER: How are you? 110 00:05:08,099 --> 00:05:10,393 VAN ZELLER: Hi. How are you? Hi everyone. 111 00:05:10,393 --> 00:05:11,937 DANCER: Hi. VAN ZELLER: Hi. 112 00:05:11,937 --> 00:05:13,396 DANCER: So cute. 113 00:05:13,396 --> 00:05:14,523 D'NISHA: So these are the outfits that they gave us. 114 00:05:14,523 --> 00:05:15,899 If they don't come with an outfit, 115 00:05:15,899 --> 00:05:18,235 they have the option of buying one here from her. 116 00:05:18,235 --> 00:05:19,903 They just make sure that they're... 117 00:05:19,903 --> 00:05:21,112 VAN ZELLER: And it's. 118 00:05:21,112 --> 00:05:22,197 D'NISHA: Well taken care of for the night. 119 00:05:22,197 --> 00:05:23,406 VAN ZELLER: For sale? D'NISHA: Yes. 120 00:05:23,406 --> 00:05:24,157 VAN ZELLER: They can buy their stuff here? 121 00:05:24,157 --> 00:05:25,492 D'NISHA: Yes. Yes. 122 00:05:25,492 --> 00:05:27,953 VAN ZELLER: Competition to work here is fierce. 123 00:05:27,953 --> 00:05:30,038 Before any of these dancers are hired, 124 00:05:30,038 --> 00:05:31,998 they have to pass a body check. 125 00:05:35,961 --> 00:05:37,838 VAN ZELLER: Those women selected will pay the club up 126 00:05:37,838 --> 00:05:42,092 to $400 to dance here, just for a single night. 127 00:05:42,634 --> 00:05:45,637 D'NISHA: Okay, turn around. 128 00:05:46,847 --> 00:05:49,850 All the way. Okay. 129 00:05:50,559 --> 00:05:52,227 VAN ZELLER: Dancers jump through these hoops because 130 00:05:52,227 --> 00:05:54,521 the upside is enormous. 131 00:05:55,105 --> 00:06:01,778 ♪ I know you want me, stand beside me ♪ 132 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:03,238 VAN ZELLER: Attention. 133 00:06:03,238 --> 00:06:04,531 ♪ To make ♪ 134 00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:05,490 VAN ZELLER: Opportunity. 135 00:06:05,490 --> 00:06:06,783 ♪ Yourself ♪ 136 00:06:06,783 --> 00:06:07,826 VAN ZELLER: And a share. 137 00:06:07,826 --> 00:06:09,035 ♪ Feel ♪ 138 00:06:09,035 --> 00:06:10,036 VAN ZELLER: Of this. 139 00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:13,039 ♪ Like you're mine ♪ ♪ 140 00:06:19,296 --> 00:06:21,715 ♪ ♪ 141 00:06:21,715 --> 00:06:25,844 VAN ZELLER: On a good night, a dancer can clear up to $10,000. 142 00:06:29,097 --> 00:06:32,183 All of which can make both legal cosmetic surgery and 143 00:06:32,183 --> 00:06:35,061 illegal procedures like getting pumped seem like 144 00:06:35,061 --> 00:06:37,355 a good idea. 145 00:06:37,355 --> 00:06:40,191 All these women have big boobs and big butts, right? 146 00:06:40,191 --> 00:06:42,402 MAN: They're taking in their waist or they're spreading out 147 00:06:42,402 --> 00:06:45,405 their hips and really getting those big butts. 148 00:06:45,405 --> 00:06:46,907 VAN ZELLER: How many women that work here do you think 149 00:06:46,907 --> 00:06:50,577 have had plastic surgery or some sort of body modifications? 150 00:06:50,577 --> 00:06:52,287 MAN: It's, it's in the 90% probably. 151 00:06:52,287 --> 00:06:53,997 MAN 2: Yeah. VAN ZELLER: 90%? MAN: Yeah. 152 00:06:53,997 --> 00:06:55,290 It's, basically you just walking into the, 153 00:06:55,290 --> 00:06:57,959 what you see on TV, pretty much. 154 00:06:58,335 --> 00:07:02,631 VAN ZELLER: And what you see on TV and social media is this. 155 00:07:02,631 --> 00:07:05,175 Celebrities and influencers with the kind of curves that 156 00:07:05,175 --> 00:07:08,720 are inspiring a generation of young women to buy the look 157 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,056 with cosmetic surgery. 158 00:07:12,390 --> 00:07:17,020 In reality, changing the shape of women's bodies is not a new trend. 159 00:07:17,771 --> 00:07:21,691 Back in the 1890s, Austrian doctors first performed 160 00:07:21,691 --> 00:07:25,695 breast augmentations using injections of melted wax. 161 00:07:26,529 --> 00:07:29,491 And through the 1940s, Japanese sex workers were 162 00:07:29,491 --> 00:07:32,661 pumped with industrial silicone to increase their 163 00:07:32,661 --> 00:07:35,538 earning power with American GIs. 164 00:07:36,122 --> 00:07:40,877 In both cases, the risks taken by women proved disastrous. 165 00:07:41,503 --> 00:07:43,546 WOMAN: (bleep). 166 00:07:43,546 --> 00:07:46,007 (screaming). 167 00:07:46,007 --> 00:07:47,509 D'NISHA: They like that. 168 00:07:47,509 --> 00:07:49,052 VAN ZELLER: Are you happy with how your body looks now? 169 00:07:49,052 --> 00:07:51,471 D'NISHA: I am, but I'm going to get a tune up and I'm going 170 00:07:51,471 --> 00:07:53,640 to get some things readjusted. 171 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,184 VAN ZELLER: Yeah, I mean, you look beautiful. I don't think you need anything done. 172 00:07:56,184 --> 00:07:58,812 D'NISHA: Thank you. Thank you. But I just, I just, it's just me. 173 00:07:58,812 --> 00:08:00,063 VAN ZELLER: Uh‐huh. 174 00:08:00,063 --> 00:08:01,064 D'NISHA: So, for me, if I look in the mirror, 175 00:08:01,064 --> 00:08:02,232 I wanna feel confident. 176 00:08:02,232 --> 00:08:04,442 So that makes, that helps me out. 177 00:08:04,442 --> 00:08:06,820 And I feel like if my confidence level is up here, 178 00:08:06,820 --> 00:08:08,321 my money is up here. 179 00:08:08,321 --> 00:08:09,406 VAN ZELLER: Have you heard of women getting, 180 00:08:09,406 --> 00:08:10,615 uh, butt injections? 181 00:08:10,615 --> 00:08:11,991 D'NISHA: Yes. 182 00:08:12,951 --> 00:08:15,078 VAN ZELLER: Did you ever do that? 183 00:08:15,078 --> 00:08:16,705 D'NISHA: No comment. 184 00:08:16,705 --> 00:08:18,248 VAN ZELLER: Is that something that when women, 185 00:08:18,248 --> 00:08:20,166 if they get butt inject, butt injections, 186 00:08:20,166 --> 00:08:21,543 they usually don't wanna talk about it? 187 00:08:21,543 --> 00:08:22,877 D'NISHA: Um, yes. 188 00:08:22,877 --> 00:08:24,921 Um, a lot of people don't wanna talk about that. 189 00:08:24,921 --> 00:08:26,172 VAN ZELLER: Because it's not legal? 190 00:08:26,172 --> 00:08:28,007 D'NISHA: Right. 191 00:08:29,008 --> 00:08:30,844 VAN ZELLER: Um, do you know anyone who gives shots? 192 00:08:30,844 --> 00:08:33,096 D'NISHA: Gives them? No. 193 00:08:33,096 --> 00:08:34,556 VAN ZELLER: I mean, we would love to interview somebody who 194 00:08:34,556 --> 00:08:37,851 gives shots and we wouldn't show their face and we 195 00:08:37,851 --> 00:08:39,728 wouldn't disclose their identity. 196 00:08:39,728 --> 00:08:41,896 And we would just like to talk to them. 197 00:08:41,896 --> 00:08:43,314 D'NISHA: Like, if I knew who does them, 198 00:08:43,314 --> 00:08:45,483 I couldn't tell you who it is. 199 00:08:46,693 --> 00:08:48,194 VAN ZELLER: None of the women at the club would connect us 200 00:08:48,194 --> 00:08:49,571 to a pumper. 201 00:08:49,571 --> 00:08:51,740 And that's not a surprise. 202 00:08:51,740 --> 00:08:55,285 In this community, pumpers are underworld figures who carry 203 00:08:55,285 --> 00:08:58,580 status, cash, and guns. 204 00:08:59,372 --> 00:09:00,957 SHEENA: I know a pumper. 205 00:09:00,957 --> 00:09:03,835 They came in and they had guns and they made sure they put 206 00:09:03,835 --> 00:09:06,504 the guns right there so we can see them. 207 00:09:06,796 --> 00:09:09,799 VAN ZELLER: There's a wall of fear out there. 208 00:09:09,799 --> 00:09:12,719 And I'm hoping insiders and former clients will help me 209 00:09:12,719 --> 00:09:14,846 break through it. 210 00:09:14,846 --> 00:09:16,264 Is she still injecting? 211 00:09:16,264 --> 00:09:17,849 VANCIE (over computer): Yes, she is. 212 00:09:17,849 --> 00:09:19,267 VAN ZELLER: Do you think that considering the fact that what 213 00:09:19,267 --> 00:09:21,019 she's doing is illegal, she will talk to us? 214 00:09:21,019 --> 00:09:23,772 VANCIE (over computer): I know that a lot of them won't. 215 00:09:23,772 --> 00:09:26,441 VAN ZELLER: All I need is the right introduction. 216 00:09:26,733 --> 00:09:30,320 How would you even go about here in Atlanta to look for a pumper? 217 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,697 MARCELLA: There's no benefit interviewing with you. 218 00:09:32,697 --> 00:09:34,074 There's absolutely no benefit. 219 00:09:34,074 --> 00:09:35,742 It's not even worth it for them. 220 00:09:35,742 --> 00:09:37,035 VAN ZELLER: How much money do you think they're making? 221 00:09:37,035 --> 00:09:38,703 SHEENA: Oh, my goodness (bleep) told me she made 222 00:09:38,703 --> 00:09:40,121 $1 million one year. 223 00:09:40,121 --> 00:09:42,248 VAN ZELLER: No way. 224 00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:45,085 So there's one very famous pumper here in Atlanta. 225 00:09:45,085 --> 00:09:46,252 SHEENA: Yes. 226 00:09:46,252 --> 00:09:47,754 VAN ZELLER: That we keep hearing about. 227 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:49,464 And I was wondering if you think there's any way that we 228 00:09:49,464 --> 00:09:50,924 could connect with her? 229 00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:52,383 SHEENA (over phone): I really think it's gonna be, 230 00:09:52,383 --> 00:09:54,135 it's gonna be difficult. 231 00:09:54,886 --> 00:09:56,429 VAN ZELLER: As any journalist will tell you, 232 00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:59,724 the harder you work, the luckier you get. 233 00:09:59,724 --> 00:10:02,060 And after scouring this city for pumpers, 234 00:10:02,060 --> 00:10:04,354 I finally find a lead. 235 00:10:04,354 --> 00:10:08,066 So Jenny, we got your number here in Atlanta from somebody 236 00:10:08,066 --> 00:10:10,276 who said you've been injected before? 237 00:10:10,276 --> 00:10:12,153 JENNY (over phone): Yeah, yeah, I have. 238 00:10:12,153 --> 00:10:14,489 VAN ZELLER: And we've been looking for somebody that will talk to us. 239 00:10:14,489 --> 00:10:16,199 JENNY (over phone): Oh, you wanna talk to an injector? 240 00:10:16,199 --> 00:10:18,201 VAN ZELLER: An injector that would talk to us. 241 00:10:18,201 --> 00:10:20,078 JENNY (over phone): Yeah, I know someone. 242 00:10:30,213 --> 00:10:32,132 JENNY (over phone): You know what I mean? 243 00:10:32,132 --> 00:10:34,134 VAN ZELLER: Yeah. I mean, Jenny, it would be great if you could reach out 244 00:10:34,134 --> 00:10:35,635 to her and see if we could talk. 245 00:10:35,635 --> 00:10:37,262 You can tell her we're just really interested in hearing 246 00:10:37,262 --> 00:10:40,140 her side of the story, why she does what she does. 247 00:10:45,186 --> 00:10:48,690 VAN ZELLER: So, wait, so, is it common that people sell 248 00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:50,358 injectors' phone numbers? 249 00:10:50,358 --> 00:10:51,734 JENNY (over phone): It is common. 250 00:10:51,734 --> 00:10:53,319 VAN ZELLER: Uh‐hmm. Yeah. 251 00:10:53,319 --> 00:10:55,989 That's complicated because we don't pay for interviews. 252 00:10:55,989 --> 00:10:58,950 JENNY (over phone): Okay. I have to get back to you. 253 00:10:58,950 --> 00:11:00,785 I have to ask her if she's okay with that first and then 254 00:11:00,785 --> 00:11:02,120 I'll let you know. 255 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:04,330 VAN ZELLER: Okay. 256 00:11:09,752 --> 00:11:12,046 (phone ringing). 257 00:11:12,046 --> 00:11:16,259 When Jenny texts me back, the news is even better than I'd hoped for. 258 00:11:16,801 --> 00:11:20,013 So supposedly she's here already, 259 00:11:20,013 --> 00:11:23,266 just have to figure out exactly where. 260 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,438 Her contact, a legendary Atlanta pumper named Ms. T 261 00:11:28,438 --> 00:11:30,440 has agreed to a meeting. 262 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,526 Hey, yeah, so we are here already. 263 00:11:33,526 --> 00:11:35,486 But I'm not sure where you are. 264 00:11:37,572 --> 00:11:40,116 Do you see me? 265 00:11:40,450 --> 00:11:42,744 Okay, is that you right here? 266 00:11:42,744 --> 00:11:44,537 Yeah, okay, I see. 267 00:11:44,537 --> 00:11:46,581 Yeah, okay, we'll follow you. 268 00:11:46,915 --> 00:11:49,667 Ms. T is on her way to inject a client. 269 00:11:49,667 --> 00:11:52,712 And she's invited us to witness a motel room procedure 270 00:11:52,712 --> 00:11:55,548 that could land her 10 years in jail. 271 00:11:55,965 --> 00:11:56,841 MS T: How you feel? 272 00:11:56,841 --> 00:11:58,593 AMBER: I'm okay. 273 00:11:58,593 --> 00:12:01,221 VAN ZELLER: Because when things go wrong in this business, people die. 274 00:12:01,596 --> 00:12:03,181 MS T: You ready? 275 00:12:12,857 --> 00:12:17,445 ♪ ♪ 276 00:12:17,695 --> 00:12:20,198 VAN ZELLER: This is it. We have someone. 277 00:12:20,198 --> 00:12:22,867 Just make sure you don't put the cameras on the car, you know? 278 00:12:22,867 --> 00:12:25,787 We don't wanna make her nervous. 279 00:12:26,537 --> 00:12:30,208 Ms. T has led us to a motel on the outskirts of Atlanta. 280 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:33,169 She has set conditions for filming. 281 00:12:33,169 --> 00:12:34,712 She wants us to conceal her voice, 282 00:12:34,712 --> 00:12:37,799 her identity, and her location. 283 00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:43,513 At exactly 11pm, we are to meet her in room 306. 284 00:12:49,894 --> 00:12:55,108 ♪ ♪ 285 00:13:01,155 --> 00:13:03,157 MS T: Take your body closer to me this way. 286 00:13:03,157 --> 00:13:05,285 Yeah, just like this. This is fine. 287 00:13:07,078 --> 00:13:10,206 VAN ZELLER: Ms. T has no formal medical training. 288 00:13:10,206 --> 00:13:13,418 What she's doing is dangerous, sometimes lethal. 289 00:13:18,339 --> 00:13:21,259 VAN ZELLER: And can create health effects that linger for years. 290 00:13:22,010 --> 00:13:23,553 How many times have you done this before? 291 00:13:26,389 --> 00:13:28,266 VAN ZELLER: Amber is transgender and these 292 00:13:28,266 --> 00:13:31,394 injections will be a final step in claiming a body she 293 00:13:31,394 --> 00:13:34,105 has been looking for her entire life. 294 00:13:34,105 --> 00:13:35,523 But you are aware of the risks? 295 00:14:06,971 --> 00:14:13,269 ♪ ♪ 296 00:14:13,644 --> 00:14:17,023 VAN ZELLER: Oh, my God. Looks painful. 297 00:14:18,107 --> 00:14:21,194 Ms. T tells me that she only uses medical‐grade silicone 298 00:14:21,194 --> 00:14:24,864 supplied to her illegally by an actual doctor. 299 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:29,368 But in this underworld, a pumper's integrity is the only 300 00:14:29,368 --> 00:14:33,790 thing determining the quality and content of the material 301 00:14:33,790 --> 00:14:35,833 being pushed into the body. 302 00:14:42,131 --> 00:14:43,591 So what's that? 303 00:14:56,729 --> 00:14:58,439 VAN ZELLER: So that's it? MS T: Yeah. 304 00:14:58,439 --> 00:14:59,899 VAN ZELLER: Wait, and now you just get dressed and you leave? 305 00:14:59,899 --> 00:15:01,400 AMBER: Yeah. VAN ZELLER: Hmm. 306 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:03,903 So the whole thing took about 15 minutes? 307 00:15:03,903 --> 00:15:05,780 MS T: Yeah. 308 00:15:06,489 --> 00:15:07,949 VAN ZELLER: What would you say to people who would judge you 309 00:15:07,949 --> 00:15:10,785 and say, "She's doing this crazy procedure and it's so 310 00:15:10,785 --> 00:15:14,205 dangerous and people are dying and she must be really stupid 311 00:15:14,205 --> 00:15:15,414 to be doing this"? 312 00:15:15,414 --> 00:15:17,583 AMBER: Well, I know I'm not stupid and so 313 00:15:17,583 --> 00:15:20,878 I'd just tell those people to kiss my ass. 314 00:15:22,130 --> 00:15:25,508 I shoulda used this body during the summertime. 315 00:15:25,508 --> 00:15:28,344 Now I will have to wait to show it off again. 316 00:15:32,014 --> 00:15:34,976 VAN ZELLER: Did you ever think that you'd be working in the underground? 317 00:15:34,976 --> 00:15:37,061 MS T: Not in my wildest dreams. 318 00:15:57,623 --> 00:15:59,000 VAN ZELLER: Do you think that had an influence on you 319 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:00,710 wanting to do cosmetic procedures on other people? 320 00:16:00,710 --> 00:16:02,545 MS T: Yes. VAN ZELLER: Uh‐hmm. 321 00:16:02,545 --> 00:16:04,213 How many people do you think you've injected? 322 00:16:04,213 --> 00:16:06,674 MS T: Oh, wow, I can't even, hundreds, hundreds. 323 00:16:06,674 --> 00:16:08,467 VAN ZELLER: What's the most amount of people you ever did 324 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:09,969 in one day or one night? 325 00:16:09,969 --> 00:16:11,220 MS T: About 40. 326 00:16:11,220 --> 00:16:13,472 VAN ZELLER: 40 people? MS T: Uh‐hmm. 327 00:16:13,472 --> 00:16:15,975 VAN ZELLER: In, in one night? MS T: Yes. 328 00:16:15,975 --> 00:16:17,560 VAN ZELLER: How much do you charge? 329 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:18,769 MS T: $1,000. 330 00:16:18,769 --> 00:16:20,104 VAN ZELLER: So you made $40,000 that one day? 331 00:16:22,190 --> 00:16:23,232 VAN ZELLER: So it's super easy money. 332 00:16:23,232 --> 00:16:24,275 MS T: Yeah. 333 00:16:24,275 --> 00:16:25,568 VAN ZELLER: But really risky too. 334 00:16:25,568 --> 00:16:28,738 MS T: Very risky. It's very, very risky. Yes. 335 00:16:33,701 --> 00:16:34,827 VAN ZELLER: So what changed in you? 336 00:16:39,457 --> 00:16:40,499 VAN ZELLER: And this was somebody that you were going 337 00:16:40,499 --> 00:16:42,501 to inject and then they robbed you? 338 00:16:42,501 --> 00:16:44,962 MS T: Uh‐hmm. Tied me up, beat me with a gun. 339 00:16:46,881 --> 00:16:48,466 VAN ZELLER: Because you were carrying so much cash, 340 00:16:48,466 --> 00:16:50,843 did you ever carry a gun with you? 341 00:16:53,429 --> 00:16:54,430 VAN ZELLER: Okay. 342 00:16:58,809 --> 00:17:00,436 VAN ZELLER: Knowing all the risks involved and knowing how 343 00:17:00,436 --> 00:17:02,021 there are people who have died, 344 00:17:02,021 --> 00:17:04,899 have you ever had any problems with anyone you've injected? 345 00:17:11,197 --> 00:17:12,907 VAN ZELLER: I don't doubt Ms. T, 346 00:17:12,907 --> 00:17:15,785 but it's not like there are records kept of the negative 347 00:17:15,785 --> 00:17:19,413 effects, which can show up years later. 348 00:17:19,747 --> 00:17:21,874 TIMOTHY: Very good. 349 00:17:22,333 --> 00:17:25,336 VAN ZELLER: You could call it the flipside of silicone pumping 350 00:17:25,336 --> 00:17:29,257 or just another day at the office for Dr. Timothy Katzen. 351 00:17:30,007 --> 00:17:33,135 TIMOTHY: This patient had a series of three sessions of 352 00:17:33,135 --> 00:17:37,807 injections, consisting of about 20 injections per side, 353 00:17:37,807 --> 00:17:40,810 starting about ten years ago. 354 00:17:41,269 --> 00:17:42,812 VAN ZELLER: Up to seven times a week, 355 00:17:42,812 --> 00:17:46,857 he tackles a job so dangerous that most plastic surgeons 356 00:17:46,857 --> 00:17:48,651 refuse to do it, 357 00:17:48,651 --> 00:17:51,862 removing the silicone from black market injections. 358 00:17:53,406 --> 00:17:56,325 For patients who had been seeking a cheap beauty fix, 359 00:17:56,325 --> 00:17:59,328 this is where the dream comes to die. 360 00:18:00,246 --> 00:18:03,332 A warning, this is about to get very graphic. 361 00:18:05,543 --> 00:18:08,963 TIMOTHY: See all the stuff? That's all silicone. 362 00:18:08,963 --> 00:18:12,717 Sometimes the silicone injectable will migrate. 363 00:18:13,050 --> 00:18:15,219 If it goes into your heart, you can have a heart attack. 364 00:18:15,219 --> 00:18:17,680 If it goes into your brain, you could have a stroke. 365 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:21,392 All the silicone is just right at the surface, 366 00:18:21,392 --> 00:18:23,728 trying to leak out. 367 00:18:30,151 --> 00:18:31,485 VAN ZELLER: Despite the dangers, 368 00:18:31,485 --> 00:18:34,530 every night, pumpers are out there pumping, 369 00:18:34,530 --> 00:18:38,534 selling curves that are pushed to us on social media. 370 00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:49,462 I'm not immune to these pressures either. 371 00:18:51,005 --> 00:18:54,008 Over the past couple of years, I've paid a doctor to inject 372 00:18:54,008 --> 00:18:58,262 acids and toxins into my face to make me look younger. 373 00:19:00,181 --> 00:19:03,768 Botox, a procedure that happens to be perfectly legal. 374 00:19:04,935 --> 00:19:07,647 The methods and products could not be more different. 375 00:19:07,647 --> 00:19:10,358 But the motivations are the same. 376 00:19:11,525 --> 00:19:15,488 After all, who doesn't want to look more attractive 377 00:19:15,488 --> 00:19:18,407 or feel more confident? 378 00:19:18,699 --> 00:19:22,995 The demand for plastic surgery cuts across all demographic lines. 379 00:19:22,995 --> 00:19:26,165 But all too often, the outcomes and risks of those 380 00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:30,544 procedures depend on how much the patient is able to pay. 381 00:19:31,921 --> 00:19:35,299 In one corner of America, the pressure for a perfect body 382 00:19:35,299 --> 00:19:39,136 has become so great that it's launched an entire 383 00:19:39,136 --> 00:19:42,181 medical tourism industry. 384 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:47,978 Welcome to Miami. 385 00:19:49,855 --> 00:19:53,693 The new home of cheap plastic surgery and to a string of 386 00:19:53,693 --> 00:19:56,320 suspicious deaths. 387 00:20:14,964 --> 00:20:19,760 ♪ ♪ 388 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:23,055 VAN ZELLER: Until recently, the high cost of plastic surgery 389 00:20:23,055 --> 00:20:25,307 meant that the only option for some patients 390 00:20:25,307 --> 00:20:29,395 seeking exaggerated curves were underground procedures, 391 00:20:29,395 --> 00:20:32,565 like the silicone shots I witnessed in Atlanta. 392 00:20:36,652 --> 00:20:39,113 So this is where we've heard there's a couple of these 393 00:20:39,113 --> 00:20:43,367 surgery centers, which is sort of strange because you usually 394 00:20:43,367 --> 00:20:46,704 associate, you know, plastic surgery to luxury. 395 00:20:48,038 --> 00:20:50,708 Today, in strip malls on the west side of Miami, 396 00:20:50,708 --> 00:20:53,753 a new breed of legal outpatient clinics has 397 00:20:53,753 --> 00:20:58,174 emerged, offering layaway plans and rock‐bottom prices. 398 00:20:59,300 --> 00:21:00,843 There's a car arriving. 399 00:21:00,843 --> 00:21:03,304 Well, there's a couple of people waiting outside. 400 00:21:04,972 --> 00:21:07,475 Many, if not most of the clients you see coming in and 401 00:21:07,475 --> 00:21:10,186 out of these clinics, seem to be coming straight from the 402 00:21:10,186 --> 00:21:12,855 airport, with suitcases in tow. 403 00:21:13,689 --> 00:21:16,442 So it's been 10 minutes since I've been sitting here, 404 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:18,694 seeing a bunch of women just go in and out. 405 00:21:18,694 --> 00:21:21,197 I mean, it had been described to us like a factory and 406 00:21:21,197 --> 00:21:23,407 that's what it feels like right now. 407 00:21:23,866 --> 00:21:26,202 Along with breast enhancements and tummy tucks, 408 00:21:26,202 --> 00:21:28,996 these centers offer a procedure that can provide 409 00:21:28,996 --> 00:21:32,333 even more dramatic results than silicone pumping. 410 00:21:32,333 --> 00:21:35,586 It's the fastest‐growing cosmetic surgery in America, 411 00:21:35,586 --> 00:21:38,005 the Brazilian butt lift. 412 00:21:45,221 --> 00:21:48,474 ♪ ♪ 413 00:21:48,474 --> 00:21:50,392 The BBL sounds simple. 414 00:21:50,392 --> 00:21:52,520 Suck out the fat from your stomach and thighs where you 415 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,648 don't want it, and inject it into your hips and butt, 416 00:21:55,648 --> 00:21:57,566 where you do. 417 00:21:57,566 --> 00:21:59,693 DR OKORO: This is done side. These are done. 418 00:21:59,693 --> 00:22:00,861 VAN ZELLER: Wow, what a difference. 419 00:22:00,861 --> 00:22:01,987 DR OKORO: We don't wanna make it too big. 420 00:22:01,987 --> 00:22:04,782 We wanna make it like, look classy. 421 00:22:06,826 --> 00:22:09,036 VAN ZELLER: In reality, it's the most dangerous operation 422 00:22:09,036 --> 00:22:11,539 in cosmetic surgery. 423 00:22:11,539 --> 00:22:14,500 Like silicone, if fat is injected in the wrong place, 424 00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:17,127 it can kill the patient almost instantly. 425 00:22:18,170 --> 00:22:21,006 Dr. Stanley Okoro, a board‐certified plastic surgeon 426 00:22:21,006 --> 00:22:25,010 in Atlanta, trained 12 years to avoid these pitfalls. 427 00:22:25,678 --> 00:22:30,516 But the doctors in Miami's bargain clinics are often far less qualified. 428 00:22:31,308 --> 00:22:33,018 DR OKORO: In the United States of America, 429 00:22:33,018 --> 00:22:37,857 any medical doctor can do plastic surgery. 430 00:22:37,857 --> 00:22:39,817 VAN ZELLER: So a pediatrician could do plastic surgery. 431 00:22:39,817 --> 00:22:40,943 DR OKORO: That's correct. 432 00:22:40,943 --> 00:22:43,195 A pediatrician can do cosmetic surgery. 433 00:22:43,195 --> 00:22:45,114 VAN ZELLER: And these doctors that aren't plastic surgeons, 434 00:22:45,114 --> 00:22:47,575 how much training are they getting before they operate? 435 00:22:47,575 --> 00:22:50,911 DR OKORO: There are all kinds of weekend courses that these 436 00:22:50,911 --> 00:22:53,581 doctors can take on, in a hotel. 437 00:22:53,581 --> 00:22:55,457 It's like a cookbook. 438 00:22:55,457 --> 00:22:59,295 The problem is, if you get into a problem and it's not in the cookbook. 439 00:22:59,295 --> 00:23:00,838 VAN ZELLER: What do you do then? Yeah. 440 00:23:00,838 --> 00:23:02,131 DR OKORO: He call 911. 441 00:23:02,131 --> 00:23:03,507 VAN ZELLER: Right. 442 00:23:03,507 --> 00:23:04,842 REPORTER (over TV): An investigation is just beginning 443 00:23:04,842 --> 00:23:06,844 after a woman died following plastic surgery. 444 00:23:06,844 --> 00:23:08,762 REPORTER (over TV): Heather Meadows died during a Brazilian butt lift. 445 00:23:08,762 --> 00:23:10,264 REPORTER (over V): Danea Plasencia died after 446 00:23:10,264 --> 00:23:11,932 undergoing a Brazilian butt lift. 447 00:23:11,932 --> 00:23:13,392 REPORTER (over TV): She's one of more than a dozen women who 448 00:23:13,392 --> 00:23:16,562 died after undergoing the same procedure in South Florida. 449 00:23:25,654 --> 00:23:27,323 VAN ZELLER: Hi. How are you? 450 00:23:27,323 --> 00:23:29,366 CAROLINA: How are you? VAN ZELLER: Good. 451 00:23:29,366 --> 00:23:30,534 I'm Mariana. So nice to meet you. 452 00:23:30,534 --> 00:23:31,785 CAROLINA: Carolina. Nice to meet you. 453 00:23:31,785 --> 00:23:32,661 VAN ZELLER: Thank you so much for having me. 454 00:23:32,661 --> 00:23:33,412 CAROLINA: My grandma, Mariana. 455 00:23:33,412 --> 00:23:34,747 (speaking Spanish). 456 00:23:34,747 --> 00:23:35,581 VAN ZELLER: Oh, yes, you're called Mariana also. 457 00:23:39,793 --> 00:23:41,170 MARIANA: Mariana. VAN ZELLER: Oh. 458 00:23:41,170 --> 00:23:44,798 In 2016, Carolina Flores' sister, Maria Christian, 459 00:23:44,798 --> 00:23:47,593 saved up for a tummy tuck to hide the 460 00:23:47,593 --> 00:23:50,596 stretch marks from giving birth to her second child. 461 00:24:23,003 --> 00:24:25,589 VAN ZELLER: What clinic? What center did she go to? 462 00:24:25,589 --> 00:24:28,509 CAROLINA: Vanity. Before, I believe they were called Encore. 463 00:24:42,982 --> 00:24:44,566 VAN ZELLER: Shortly after leaving, 464 00:24:44,566 --> 00:24:46,235 I received an email from Carolina, 465 00:24:46,235 --> 00:24:49,905 which contained this police report of her sister's death. 466 00:24:51,573 --> 00:24:53,826 It says that when EMS arrived at the clinic, 467 00:24:53,826 --> 00:24:57,496 they were denied access for at least five minutes. 468 00:24:57,871 --> 00:24:59,623 Why? 469 00:24:59,623 --> 00:25:01,375 What could possibly be more important than letting 470 00:25:01,375 --> 00:25:03,919 paramedics into that building? 471 00:25:05,504 --> 00:25:08,090 Okay, so you see that one? 472 00:25:09,174 --> 00:25:11,802 I'm gonna try and go inside to see if I can get a consultation. 473 00:25:24,231 --> 00:25:27,609 JEROME: Here we are in Miami in a typical strip mall. 474 00:25:27,609 --> 00:25:29,319 VAN ZELLER: Right. 475 00:25:29,319 --> 00:25:31,405 And not where you'd expect a medical facility to be at, right? 476 00:25:31,405 --> 00:25:32,906 JEROME: Absolutely. 477 00:25:32,906 --> 00:25:34,992 VAN ZELLER: These strip mall surgery centers in Miami are 478 00:25:34,992 --> 00:25:37,369 promising beauty on the cheap. 479 00:25:40,956 --> 00:25:44,334 But I want to know why their patients are dying in alarming numbers. 480 00:25:49,715 --> 00:25:51,467 When did this all start, these clinics? 481 00:25:51,467 --> 00:25:55,220 JEROME: They started exploding in numbers ten years ago and 482 00:25:55,220 --> 00:25:58,015 it's just gotten bigger and bigger and bigger. 483 00:25:58,515 --> 00:26:00,184 VAN ZELLER: To hit the ground running, 484 00:26:00,184 --> 00:26:03,854 I'm piggybacking on the investigations of three people, 485 00:26:03,854 --> 00:26:07,107 medical malpractice lawyer Andres Beregovich, 486 00:26:07,107 --> 00:26:10,611 who has launched a number of lawsuits against these clinics. 487 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,865 Jerome Hill, a former cop and former investigator for the 488 00:26:14,865 --> 00:26:17,326 Florida Department of Health. 489 00:26:17,826 --> 00:26:20,954 And Florida State Senator Anitere Flores who has passed 490 00:26:20,954 --> 00:26:24,291 a bill requiring stricter regulations. 491 00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:28,087 ANITERE: This is something that has become a national problem. 492 00:26:28,670 --> 00:26:30,964 VAN ZELLER: They're giving me a crash course in a cottage industry 493 00:26:30,964 --> 00:26:34,635 that appears to be operating at the margins of the law. 494 00:26:36,261 --> 00:26:37,387 What's the clientele? 495 00:26:37,387 --> 00:26:38,764 Who are the people coming to these centers? 496 00:26:38,764 --> 00:26:40,349 ANITERE: These are people from across the country. 497 00:26:40,349 --> 00:26:41,725 VAN ZELLER: Uh‐hmm. 498 00:26:41,725 --> 00:26:44,978 ANITERE: That are being, I would say, preyed upon. 499 00:26:46,105 --> 00:26:47,981 We'll have hospital executives that'll tell us, 500 00:26:47,981 --> 00:26:49,441 "Oh, yeah. 501 00:26:49,441 --> 00:26:50,943 You know we have a couple patients a week that come in 502 00:26:50,943 --> 00:26:52,528 from that plastic surgery place, 503 00:26:52,528 --> 00:26:54,863 but we can't do anything about it." 504 00:26:56,073 --> 00:26:58,826 JEROME: We're gonna go in here and see a particular 505 00:26:58,826 --> 00:27:02,246 problematic surgery center that has given the state, 506 00:27:02,246 --> 00:27:05,415 and more importantly, the citizens of Florida some 507 00:27:05,415 --> 00:27:07,000 consternation and. 508 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:07,876 VAN ZELLER: That one over there? 509 00:27:07,876 --> 00:27:08,836 JEROME: Yeah. 510 00:27:08,836 --> 00:27:10,337 VAN ZELLER: Jolie? JEROME: Yes. 511 00:27:10,337 --> 00:27:13,465 VAN ZELLER: Jolie, the clinic formerly known as Vanity, 512 00:27:13,465 --> 00:27:16,218 where Maria Christian died. 513 00:27:16,593 --> 00:27:19,304 After the incident, the clinic issued a statement claiming 514 00:27:19,304 --> 00:27:22,099 they followed standard procedures. 515 00:27:22,099 --> 00:27:24,768 But a pending malpractice lawsuit against Vanity and 516 00:27:24,768 --> 00:27:28,272 Maria's doctor alleges otherwise. 517 00:27:28,272 --> 00:27:31,859 And Maria's death is not a stand‐alone incident. 518 00:27:32,401 --> 00:27:35,153 So how many deaths have happened here? 519 00:27:35,153 --> 00:27:39,283 JEROME: Jolie Center and their affiliate has had eight deaths right now. 520 00:27:39,283 --> 00:27:40,492 VAN ZELLER: Just in six years? 521 00:27:40,492 --> 00:27:42,035 JEROME: That's just astronomical. 522 00:27:42,035 --> 00:27:43,620 VAN ZELLER: That's right. 523 00:27:43,620 --> 00:27:47,875 Eight deaths between 2013 and 2018 have been linked to this 524 00:27:47,875 --> 00:27:51,420 clinic, which operated first as Encore , 525 00:27:51,420 --> 00:27:54,339 then as Vanity , and now as Jolie . 526 00:27:55,424 --> 00:27:58,176 Local media reports that nearly a dozen other women 527 00:27:58,176 --> 00:28:00,929 have also suffered serious injuries. 528 00:28:02,890 --> 00:28:04,391 ANDRES: When there's too much heat, 529 00:28:04,391 --> 00:28:09,354 they just close, then reopen, same location. It's crazy. 530 00:28:10,147 --> 00:28:13,525 VAN ZELLER: A 2019 exposé by The Naples Daily News and 531 00:28:13,525 --> 00:28:16,904 USA Today had this to say about the deaths, 532 00:28:16,904 --> 00:28:20,073 name changes, and the clinic's de facto owner, 533 00:28:20,073 --> 00:28:22,409 Ismael Labrador. 534 00:28:23,035 --> 00:28:26,288 "Seven of the women who died were working‐class Hispanics 535 00:28:26,288 --> 00:28:29,374 and African‐Americans, groups targeted by the clinics' 536 00:28:29,374 --> 00:28:31,418 advertising campaigns. 537 00:28:31,418 --> 00:28:33,879 While deaths and injuries mounted, 538 00:28:33,879 --> 00:28:38,050 the names of the clinics were changed three times since 2016. 539 00:28:38,508 --> 00:28:41,511 But one person has remained at the center, 540 00:28:41,511 --> 00:28:44,014 Dr. Ismael Labrador. 541 00:28:44,556 --> 00:28:46,850 To get a sense of how Labrador operates, 542 00:28:46,850 --> 00:28:50,145 we conducted a records request from the state's Department of Health. 543 00:28:50,145 --> 00:28:52,356 What we learned is that although the clinic changed 544 00:28:52,356 --> 00:28:55,609 names over the years, from Vanidades , to Encore , 545 00:28:55,609 --> 00:28:59,863 to Vanity , to Eres , to Jolie Plastic Surgery , 546 00:28:59,863 --> 00:29:03,951 many of the surgeons and some of the staff stayed the same. 547 00:29:04,409 --> 00:29:07,329 Even the human resources rep who registered the staff and 548 00:29:07,329 --> 00:29:09,915 the surgeons with the Department of Health remained 549 00:29:09,915 --> 00:29:13,669 the same, though her email address changed frequently 550 00:29:13,669 --> 00:29:16,004 over the years. 551 00:29:16,004 --> 00:29:18,757 And Labrador is not the only clinic operator who has 552 00:29:18,757 --> 00:29:20,550 come under scrutiny. 553 00:29:20,550 --> 00:29:23,762 USA Today reported that at least 13 women have died at 554 00:29:23,762 --> 00:29:27,099 four other Florida plastic surgery centers. 555 00:29:29,643 --> 00:29:32,854 How difficult do you think it is to find somebody sort of 556 00:29:32,854 --> 00:29:34,982 working inside these clinics to talk to us, 557 00:29:34,982 --> 00:29:37,484 about how, what the reality is inside? 558 00:29:37,484 --> 00:29:40,278 JEROME: I think you're gonna find it very difficult. 559 00:29:41,697 --> 00:29:43,740 VAN ZELLER: A toxic stew was brewing here, 560 00:29:43,740 --> 00:29:46,785 with lax regulations, dangerous practices, 561 00:29:46,785 --> 00:29:49,746 and untold millions to be made. 562 00:29:49,997 --> 00:29:54,501 The more I learn, the less I'm surprised by the growing list of fatalities. 563 00:30:03,802 --> 00:30:06,471 Okay, so you see that one? 564 00:30:08,306 --> 00:30:11,059 I wanna try and go inside and see if I can get a consultation. 565 00:30:13,228 --> 00:30:15,689 Unfortunately, we're not allowed to go in with cameras. 566 00:30:15,689 --> 00:30:18,108 It's against the law in Florida. 567 00:30:19,526 --> 00:30:23,572 According to USA Today and Naples Daily News investigation 568 00:30:23,572 --> 00:30:26,491 the Florida Health Department has investigated at least 569 00:30:26,491 --> 00:30:30,662 six deaths and serious injuries at Labrador's clinics, 570 00:30:31,413 --> 00:30:34,833 many of which were avoidable and the result of mistakes. 571 00:30:36,084 --> 00:30:39,504 In four of the BBL fatalities at Labrador clinics. 572 00:30:39,504 --> 00:30:44,426 USA Today reported that doctors injected fat in the wrong place, 573 00:30:44,426 --> 00:30:47,387 killing their patients within minutes. 574 00:30:48,055 --> 00:30:50,015 We tried to reach the Florida Department of Health for 575 00:30:50,015 --> 00:30:53,685 a comment and yet, after months of emails, 576 00:30:53,685 --> 00:30:56,313 calls, and many unanswered voicemails, 577 00:30:56,313 --> 00:31:00,567 they said they were unable to comment because of confidentiality. 578 00:31:01,151 --> 00:31:04,154 So perhaps it's not surprising that little has been done 579 00:31:04,154 --> 00:31:07,074 despite the fatalities. 580 00:31:12,329 --> 00:31:16,124 So they actually said that everything is done over the phone. 581 00:31:17,501 --> 00:31:18,877 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): Hi, hello? 582 00:31:18,877 --> 00:31:20,295 VAN ZELLER: Good. How are you doing? 583 00:31:20,295 --> 00:31:21,880 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): Very well, yourself? 584 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:24,424 VAN ZELLER: Good. I have a few questions for you about BBLs. 585 00:31:24,424 --> 00:31:25,842 Do you mind if I record this? 586 00:31:25,842 --> 00:31:27,677 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): Yeah, go ahead. 587 00:31:27,677 --> 00:31:29,596 So which doctor are you looking into? 588 00:31:29,596 --> 00:31:32,974 VAN ZELLER: Who does the cheapest procedure there, the cheapest BBL? 589 00:31:32,974 --> 00:31:34,726 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): The cheapest right now it's 590 00:31:34,726 --> 00:31:38,480 Dr. (bleep) and (bleep) both at 3,500. 591 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:40,607 VAN ZELLER: I'm not really sure. 592 00:31:40,607 --> 00:31:42,818 I've heard good things about Dr. (bleep) 593 00:31:42,818 --> 00:31:46,196 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): Yeah He's one of the leading doctors here as far as demand goes. 594 00:31:46,196 --> 00:31:49,741 Dr. (bleep) has his BBLs right now at 5,700. 595 00:31:49,741 --> 00:31:51,451 VAN ZELLER: 5,700. 596 00:31:51,451 --> 00:31:54,454 And how many procedures does Dr. (bleep) do on average a day? 597 00:31:54,454 --> 00:31:56,373 Just so I get an, a sense of his experience. 598 00:31:56,373 --> 00:31:57,541 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): On average a day? 599 00:31:57,541 --> 00:31:59,209 Roughly, I think about six to eight. 600 00:31:59,209 --> 00:32:02,379 VAN ZELLER: Wow, that's a lot. 601 00:32:03,088 --> 00:32:04,756 RECEPTIONIST (over phone): Yup. 602 00:32:04,756 --> 00:32:06,883 That's, that's the limit for procedures in a day for a doctor. 603 00:32:06,883 --> 00:32:08,802 VAN ZELLER: Wow. Okay. Sounds good. 604 00:32:08,802 --> 00:32:12,889 Actually, if they're talking about six to eight BBLS a day, 605 00:32:12,889 --> 00:32:15,642 it sounds anything but good. 606 00:32:16,059 --> 00:32:19,271 I checked with a handful of experts including Dr. Okoro, 607 00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:22,232 the board‐certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta, 608 00:32:22,232 --> 00:32:26,736 who all say that three to four BBLS is the maximum number a 609 00:32:26,736 --> 00:32:29,865 plastic surgeon could safely do in one day. 610 00:32:29,865 --> 00:32:34,202 So how could anyone handle a caseload double the size? 611 00:32:35,412 --> 00:32:38,415 Other sources we spoke with said it wasn't unusual for 612 00:32:38,415 --> 00:32:42,794 surgeons at Jolie or previously at Encore and Vanity , 613 00:32:42,794 --> 00:32:46,506 to schedule as many as 10 BBLS a day. 614 00:32:47,966 --> 00:32:51,803 Finally, we actually got somebody willing to talk to us. 615 00:32:52,220 --> 00:32:55,307 A search for former employees leads me to Gena Hitchens who 616 00:32:55,307 --> 00:32:58,351 worked at Jolie as a surgical coordinator. 617 00:32:59,978 --> 00:33:03,064 She's promised to meet me, though she's warned us, 618 00:33:03,064 --> 00:33:05,734 that she still works in the industry, 619 00:33:05,734 --> 00:33:09,404 and needs to choose her words carefully. 620 00:33:10,363 --> 00:33:12,532 Have you ever been there in one of these cases where 621 00:33:12,532 --> 00:33:14,618 things went terribly wrong? 622 00:33:28,924 --> 00:33:31,551 ♪ ♪ 623 00:33:31,551 --> 00:33:33,345 ♪ Bottles and models ♪ 624 00:33:33,345 --> 00:33:35,263 ♪ Lil' mama look fit ♪ 625 00:33:35,263 --> 00:33:36,890 ♪ I'mma hit like a throttle ♪ 626 00:33:36,890 --> 00:33:38,850 ♪ She make it drop like a switch ♪ 627 00:33:38,850 --> 00:33:40,685 ♪ I won't see her tomorrow ♪♪ 628 00:33:40,685 --> 00:33:43,355 VAN ZELLER: So Gena, tell me how you first heard about these clinics. 629 00:33:43,355 --> 00:33:46,483 GENA: I started working at Jolie Plastic Surgery . 630 00:33:46,483 --> 00:33:48,235 VAN ZELLER: Uh‐hmm. 631 00:33:48,235 --> 00:33:51,071 GENA: And that was my first step into the plastic surgery world. 632 00:33:51,071 --> 00:33:52,405 VAN ZELLER: How many clinics have you worked at? 633 00:33:52,405 --> 00:33:53,990 GENA: Four. 634 00:33:53,990 --> 00:33:55,992 VAN ZELLER: Have you ever been there in one of these cases 635 00:33:55,992 --> 00:33:58,703 where things went terribly wrong? 636 00:33:59,579 --> 00:34:00,997 GENA: Umm... 637 00:34:00,997 --> 00:34:02,874 Yes, but I can't talk about it. 638 00:34:02,874 --> 00:34:06,461 VAN ZELLER: More than once? GENA: No. 639 00:34:06,753 --> 00:34:08,380 VAN ZELLER: Was it a death? 640 00:34:08,380 --> 00:34:10,632 GENA: I'm not able to speak about it. 641 00:34:10,632 --> 00:34:12,467 VAN ZELLER: Is a doctor actually capable of performing 642 00:34:12,467 --> 00:34:14,803 eight procedures in a day? 643 00:34:14,803 --> 00:34:17,138 GENA: I think once you start getting into the high numbers 644 00:34:17,138 --> 00:34:19,975 is when you start looking for problems. 645 00:34:19,975 --> 00:34:22,060 Or problems start looking for you. 646 00:34:22,060 --> 00:34:24,771 VAN ZELLER: So why are they doing so many procedures a day? 647 00:34:27,691 --> 00:34:29,067 GENA: Yeah. 648 00:34:29,067 --> 00:34:31,319 I don't know that that's a question I wanna answer. 649 00:34:31,319 --> 00:34:33,238 VAN ZELLER: But do you think a doctor is capable of operating 650 00:34:33,238 --> 00:34:36,574 and doing eight BBLs a day? 651 00:34:36,574 --> 00:34:38,451 GENA: They do it. 652 00:34:38,451 --> 00:34:40,912 VAN ZELLER: How long does a BBL take? 653 00:34:40,912 --> 00:34:45,208 GENA: The average BBL would probably be three and a half 654 00:34:45,208 --> 00:34:47,711 to four hours. 655 00:34:48,044 --> 00:34:51,131 VAN ZELLER: Of course, a surgeon wouldn't need to be in 656 00:34:51,131 --> 00:34:53,133 the room the entire time. 657 00:34:53,133 --> 00:34:56,761 But from our research, the two main procedures in a BBL, 658 00:34:56,761 --> 00:35:01,349 liposuction and fat transfer take between two and three hours. 659 00:35:02,225 --> 00:35:06,187 So a surgeon doing eight BBLS in a day would be facing 660 00:35:06,187 --> 00:35:09,733 16 to 24 hours of surgery. 661 00:35:10,483 --> 00:35:12,902 I guess the math then just doesn't add up. 662 00:35:12,902 --> 00:35:15,196 So it's impossible for a doctor to be performing eight of 663 00:35:15,196 --> 00:35:16,489 these a day. 664 00:35:16,489 --> 00:35:19,534 GENA: Nothing is impossible. 665 00:35:29,294 --> 00:35:30,337 VAN ZELLER: So pretty. It's like... 666 00:35:30,337 --> 00:35:32,255 ANDRES: It's like a little oasis. 667 00:35:32,255 --> 00:35:34,716 VAN ZELLER: With business booming at these clinics, 668 00:35:34,716 --> 00:35:37,594 lawyer Andres Beregovich who's launched a number of cases 669 00:35:37,594 --> 00:35:40,972 against these clinics, wants to give me a sense of just how much 670 00:35:40,972 --> 00:35:44,142 money these clinic owners are making. 671 00:35:44,142 --> 00:35:47,729 Look at that. Guy on a horse. 672 00:35:48,647 --> 00:35:50,982 I'm most interested in one man in particular, 673 00:35:50,982 --> 00:35:54,903 Dr. Ismael Labrador, the reported owner and operator of 674 00:35:54,903 --> 00:35:58,073 Jolie and other cosmetic surgery centers. 675 00:35:58,657 --> 00:36:00,116 What is this? 676 00:36:00,116 --> 00:36:03,453 ANDRES: These are stables, part of an equestrian center 677 00:36:03,453 --> 00:36:07,832 owned by Ismael Labrador and his wife. 678 00:36:08,917 --> 00:36:12,796 It just goes to show you the significance of the money 679 00:36:12,796 --> 00:36:15,548 that's generated by these surgery centers. 680 00:36:15,548 --> 00:36:18,426 They're cash cows. 681 00:36:18,802 --> 00:36:21,513 VAN ZELLER: In 2007, Dr. Labrador was arrested on 682 00:36:21,513 --> 00:36:25,308 felony charges for allowing unlicensed workers to perform 683 00:36:25,308 --> 00:36:27,602 medical procedures. 684 00:36:27,602 --> 00:36:29,729 The felony charges were dropped after he entered a 685 00:36:29,729 --> 00:36:33,525 court diversion program and he went on to start a string of 686 00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:36,861 discount plastic surgery centers. 687 00:36:37,737 --> 00:36:41,574 Here he is, in a 2018 deposition for a case where 688 00:36:41,574 --> 00:36:45,578 a woman was injured during a procedure at one of his clinics, 689 00:36:45,578 --> 00:36:48,123 a lawsuit that has since been settled. 690 00:36:48,373 --> 00:36:50,500 INTERVIEWER: Specifically, what administrative tasks did 691 00:36:50,500 --> 00:36:52,168 you have control over? 692 00:36:52,168 --> 00:36:54,421 (speaking Spanish). 693 00:36:54,421 --> 00:36:56,339 TRANSLATOR: The hours, the salary. 694 00:36:56,339 --> 00:37:00,009 (speaking Spanish). 695 00:37:00,009 --> 00:37:02,387 TRANSLATOR: The employees' qualifications. 696 00:37:02,387 --> 00:37:03,847 VAN ZELLER: In past written statements, 697 00:37:03,847 --> 00:37:06,266 Labrador has said doctors, not clinic owners, 698 00:37:06,266 --> 00:37:09,811 are responsible for patient care and that all the doctors 699 00:37:09,811 --> 00:37:14,023 he's hired have met the requirements of the state licensing board. 700 00:37:14,607 --> 00:37:17,444 He's also claimed that the frequent name changes at his 701 00:37:17,444 --> 00:37:20,405 clinics were made for marketing purposes, 702 00:37:20,405 --> 00:37:23,324 not to avoid legal responsibility. 703 00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:25,577 We reached out to him for comment. 704 00:37:25,577 --> 00:37:28,705 He denied being the owner of Jolie and responded with a 705 00:37:28,705 --> 00:37:33,376 request for $25,000 to sit for an interview, 706 00:37:33,793 --> 00:37:37,213 and that's when we found a new source. 707 00:37:38,256 --> 00:37:40,008 So I don't know a lot about this person, 708 00:37:40,008 --> 00:37:42,343 I just know that he's willing to talk. 709 00:37:42,343 --> 00:37:45,388 He's very, very nervous and anxious and super worried 710 00:37:45,388 --> 00:37:47,724 about not revealing his identity. 711 00:37:47,724 --> 00:37:51,227 I'm hoping he'll be able to help me unravel the inner 712 00:37:51,227 --> 00:37:54,022 workings of these discount surgery clinics. 713 00:37:54,022 --> 00:37:58,026 VOICE (over computer): Welcome. Please take your ticket. Please drive inside. 714 00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:11,289 VAN ZELLER: I think he's here. I think that's him. 715 00:38:11,289 --> 00:38:13,875 Yeah, it's definitely him. 716 00:38:24,677 --> 00:38:27,555 So, thanks for meeting us. 717 00:38:27,555 --> 00:38:29,808 To protect the identity of Juan Carlos, 718 00:38:29,808 --> 00:38:31,935 there's little I can say about him, 719 00:38:31,935 --> 00:38:35,104 other than he has spent time working at Jolie and a number 720 00:38:35,104 --> 00:38:38,149 of other clinics, which we have verified. 721 00:38:38,858 --> 00:38:40,735 We've been trying for months and months and months to try 722 00:38:40,735 --> 00:38:42,195 to get somebody to talk to us. 723 00:38:42,195 --> 00:38:43,488 So I really appreciate this. 724 00:38:45,824 --> 00:38:47,492 VAN ZELLER: Reluctantly, but you accepted. 725 00:38:47,492 --> 00:38:49,077 Why did you accept? 726 00:39:05,969 --> 00:39:11,766 ♪ ♪ 727 00:39:14,352 --> 00:39:16,521 VAN ZELLER: What exactly happens in these places? 728 00:39:29,617 --> 00:39:33,037 VAN ZELLER: Ten to 12 patients per day, per doctor, per surgeon? 729 00:39:35,290 --> 00:39:37,000 VAN ZELLER: As a surgical coordinator, 730 00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:39,419 Juan Carlos was in charge of scheduling these surgeries for 731 00:39:39,419 --> 00:39:41,671 a handful of doctors. 732 00:39:42,046 --> 00:39:44,591 Although he worked in the admin offices upstairs, 733 00:39:44,591 --> 00:39:48,052 he said he made daily trips to the operating rooms downstairs. 734 00:39:48,511 --> 00:39:51,431 And routinely saw surgeons running multiple operating 735 00:39:51,431 --> 00:39:54,309 rooms at the same time. 736 00:39:54,309 --> 00:39:57,020 That meant that they weren't on hand for the entirety of 737 00:39:57,020 --> 00:39:59,272 the procedures. 738 00:39:59,272 --> 00:40:02,734 If that's true, then logically it must mean that the 739 00:40:02,734 --> 00:40:06,321 operating room assistants, called surgical techs, 740 00:40:06,321 --> 00:40:09,490 are doing at least part of these procedures. 741 00:40:10,700 --> 00:40:13,494 Juan Carlos brought videos he claims to have captured on his 742 00:40:13,494 --> 00:40:16,372 phone that seem to show just that. 743 00:40:16,998 --> 00:40:20,043 Due to patient privacy, Juan Carlos would not allow us to 744 00:40:20,043 --> 00:40:21,920 share the footage. 745 00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:25,381 Though we can't independently confirm the authenticity of the videos, 746 00:40:25,381 --> 00:40:30,053 in one of them, the staff uniforms clearly say Jolie . 747 00:40:30,678 --> 00:40:32,430 Oh, what's happening here? 748 00:40:34,807 --> 00:40:36,017 VAN ZELLER: And then what happens if something, 749 00:40:36,017 --> 00:40:37,852 you know, if one of the surgeries gets, 750 00:40:37,852 --> 00:40:40,104 you know, complicated? 751 00:40:42,357 --> 00:40:43,691 VAN ZELLER: And considering the amount of deaths, 752 00:40:43,691 --> 00:40:47,195 why hasn't anyone come out and spoken, like you? 753 00:40:54,786 --> 00:40:57,372 VAN ZELLER: But you've felt some sort of guilt, right? 754 00:40:57,372 --> 00:40:59,791 Or else you wouldn't be here now. 755 00:41:00,208 --> 00:41:01,918 Or remorse or. 756 00:41:12,011 --> 00:41:15,390 VAN ZELLER: Nobody gives a (bleep) about you, patients. 757 00:41:15,932 --> 00:41:17,558 The deeper I dug into this world, 758 00:41:17,558 --> 00:41:20,228 nothing felt more honest than that statement. 759 00:41:21,646 --> 00:41:24,190 I presented Jolie's de facto owner, 760 00:41:24,190 --> 00:41:27,694 Ismael Labrador, with Juan Carlos' claims. 761 00:41:27,694 --> 00:41:30,738 Through his lawyer, he denied that surgical techs are 762 00:41:30,738 --> 00:41:34,826 performing the surgeries and has threatened legal action. 763 00:41:35,785 --> 00:41:39,706 It took me six months to track down a former employee willing 764 00:41:39,706 --> 00:41:42,125 to speak on camera. 765 00:41:42,125 --> 00:41:45,003 KAYLA (over computer): I mean, there's a lot of people that know about it 766 00:41:45,003 --> 00:41:47,797 and are afraid to speak and I'm not one of them. 767 00:41:47,797 --> 00:41:50,800 They can come find me for all I care. 768 00:41:51,050 --> 00:41:53,011 VAN ZELLER: Kayla worked as a medical assistant at 769 00:41:53,011 --> 00:41:56,514 Labrador's clinic when it was called Vanity and Encore , 770 00:41:56,514 --> 00:41:59,392 but before it was named Jolie . 771 00:41:59,392 --> 00:42:00,435 How long were you there for? 772 00:42:00,435 --> 00:42:01,853 KAYLA (over computer): Two years. 773 00:42:01,853 --> 00:42:03,855 VAN ZELLER: What kind of patients did you guys see there? 774 00:42:03,855 --> 00:42:06,649 KAYLA (over computer): We would have patients from everywhere that would come in. 775 00:42:06,649 --> 00:42:08,693 Obviously because of this affordable pricing, 776 00:42:08,693 --> 00:42:10,737 they were coming out of the state, 777 00:42:10,737 --> 00:42:12,739 coming from another country. 778 00:42:12,739 --> 00:42:13,698 Yeah. 779 00:42:13,698 --> 00:42:16,492 It was a variety of patients. 780 00:42:16,492 --> 00:42:19,037 VAN ZELLER: And once those patients went in for surgery, 781 00:42:19,037 --> 00:42:22,165 what Kayla describes fits a similar pattern of behavior 782 00:42:22,165 --> 00:42:25,710 that we heard from Juan Carlos as well as multiple others who 783 00:42:25,710 --> 00:42:29,797 worked at Labrador's clinics and spoke to us off the record. 784 00:42:30,631 --> 00:42:33,342 Doctors running multiple operating rooms, 785 00:42:33,342 --> 00:42:37,513 and not being present for portions of risky operations. 786 00:42:38,431 --> 00:42:41,225 KAYLA: There's more than one operating room for sure. 787 00:42:41,225 --> 00:42:44,645 There were multiple surgeries happening at once. 788 00:42:44,896 --> 00:42:47,982 We had at least five to six operating rooms. 789 00:42:49,067 --> 00:42:51,235 VAN ZELLER: Florida law requires that anyone assisting 790 00:42:51,235 --> 00:42:56,491 or participating in any surgical procedure must have, quote, 791 00:42:56,491 --> 00:43:00,161 "Direct and immediate supervision of a licensed physician." 792 00:43:00,161 --> 00:43:03,081 So would a surgeon overseeing multiple operating rooms 793 00:43:03,081 --> 00:43:06,542 qualify as direct and immediate supervision? 794 00:43:07,168 --> 00:43:09,629 I called former Department of Health inspector, 795 00:43:09,629 --> 00:43:13,132 Jerome Hill to ask him this very question. 796 00:43:13,132 --> 00:43:15,843 He believes the current law gives these clinics 797 00:43:15,843 --> 00:43:17,929 too much wiggle room. 798 00:43:17,929 --> 00:43:20,973 JEROME (over phone): Given the fact that you can have some typ 799 00:43:20,973 --> 00:43:26,395 of medical procedure in one room and the supervision is 800 00:43:26,395 --> 00:43:32,026 in another room two doors down, it is a stretch, 801 00:43:32,026 --> 00:43:34,237 it is the latitude that they give, 802 00:43:34,237 --> 00:43:39,117 the medical doctors here in Florida that it is so gross it 803 00:43:39,117 --> 00:43:44,288 leaves an opening for malpractice by these doctors. 804 00:43:44,288 --> 00:43:48,209 And it puts, more importantly, the citizens of Florida in jeopardy. 805 00:43:50,086 --> 00:43:52,547 VAN ZELLER: Three board‐certified doctors we 806 00:43:52,547 --> 00:43:55,591 spoke with all agree that from a medical perspective, 807 00:43:55,591 --> 00:43:59,428 a surgeon must be in the room the entire procedure in order 808 00:43:59,428 --> 00:44:01,639 to ensure a patient's safety. 809 00:44:01,639 --> 00:44:04,976 Anything less than that, especially with a procedure 810 00:44:04,976 --> 00:44:09,355 like a BBL is unusual and undoubtedly dangerous. 811 00:44:10,815 --> 00:44:13,317 The picture of this industry painted by the many people we 812 00:44:13,317 --> 00:44:15,486 spoke with is grim. 813 00:44:15,486 --> 00:44:19,365 Which means that unless regulators step in or society 814 00:44:19,365 --> 00:44:23,035 stops pressuring women to chase those perfect curves, 815 00:44:23,035 --> 00:44:26,622 these tragedies are likely to continue. 816 00:44:31,586 --> 00:44:33,337 VAN ZELLER: I mean, it's not even about the patient's life 817 00:44:33,337 --> 00:44:34,463 anymore, right? 818 00:44:42,138 --> 00:44:48,936 ♪ ♪ 819 00:45:02,366 --> 00:45:07,705 ♪ ♪ 820 00:45:08,247 --> 00:45:09,582 Captioned by Cotter Media Group.