Stephanie Kuleba Is A Breast Augmentation Surgery Victim

Stephanie Kuleba was the captain of cheerleading squad, a nearly straight-A student at West Boca High School and a soon-to-be pre-med freshman at the University of Florida. But now, the 18-year-old Stephanie Kuleba is dead, and many believe the breast augmentation surgery is the possible cause of her death.

Stephanie Kuleba had a charmed life: captain of the varsity cheerleading squad at West Boca High, a nearly perfect grade-point average, good looks and a ticket to the University of Florida, where she would start her journey toward becoming a medical doctor.

Her friends said she was "perfect," so when Kuleba died Saturday of complications from breast surgery, none of them could understand how the girl whose success in life "was a sure thing" could perish in such a strange and devastating fashion.

Kuleba died after she suffered a fatal reaction to anesthesia during corrective breast augmentation surgery, ABC's Good Morning America reported this morning.

Nearly two hours into the surgery, Kuleba was rushed to Delray Medical Center, where she died 24 hours later, said the family's attorney Roberto Stanziale.

Kuleba was undergoing surgery to correct asymmetrical breasts and an inverted areola, Stanziale told the program.

Doctors believe the cause of death was malignant hyperthermia, a relatively rare metabolic condition that can be triggered by certain anesthesia. A patient's heart rate and metabolism rises, causing the body temperature to rise as high as 112 degrees.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Stephen Schuster performed the surgery at an outpatient facility at 1905 Clint Moore Road in Boca Raton.

"I am devastated by the loss and I feel for the family," he said in a statement.

"The surgery itself was very personal," said Benny Perlman, a friend of Kuleba's who spoke on behalf of her grieving family Monday night. "She passed away from complications during surgery.

Stephanie Kuleba's decease is really a great loss to her family, friends and school. Our prayers and thoughts are with them! Source: PalmBeachPost