MIAMI, Fla. – A 58-year-old man from Doral was arrested on Thursday after allegedly posing as a licensed plastic surgeon and performing a cosmetic surgery that left a woman permanently disfigured.
Manuel Jose Lazzaro was charged with unlicensed healthcare causing serious bodily injury following an investigation into his actions at the now-closed New World Medical Mystic & Cosmetic Center in Miami. The woman, who traveled from Orlando to Miami for the procedure in September, said that after undergoing surgery at the clinic, she experienced severe complications.
According to the police report, the woman’s breasts became infected, and Lazzaro ignored her complaints. Instead of seeking proper medical care, he continued to treat her himself, leading to permanent disfigurement. The Florida Department of Health confirmed that Lazzaro does not hold any medical license in the state and described him as a “surgical assistant.”
During a bond court appearance on Friday, the prosecutor highlighted the seriousness of the woman’s injuries, stating that Lazzaro did not direct her to seek care from a licensed physician. The prosecutor also revealed that Lazzaro had admitted to performing surgeries without a license on multiple occasions.
Lazzaro’s arrest follows the earlier arrest of another man, Wilson Munoz Suarez, who was also allegedly conducting surgeries at the same clinic without a medical license. Lazzaro’s attorney defended him in court, mentioning his family ties and lack of prior criminal history, but the judge set his bond at $10,000 and ordered that he refrain from performing any further surgeries.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is warning the public to carefully vet any medical professional performing cosmetic surgeries. They emphasized the risks of undergoing procedures with unlicensed individuals, as many of them do not carry proper insurance and could pose significant health hazards.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office spokesman, Joseph Peguero, urged potential patients to “do your homework” before undergoing procedures, as the lack of credentials from such individuals can “cost you your life.”
