From the "How stupid do you have to be?" files: Couple arrested for performing cosmetic surgeries..

[Maddy McCall]

in their home.

Desperate for a tummy tuck or a facelift, but your money is budgeted for things like groceries and car payments? Just call up the San Jose home surgeons, and they can fix you up for pennies on the dollar.

:eyes:

Sep 6, 4:55 PM EDT
Couple charged with illegal surgeries


SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- A couple were arrested after authorities said they performed illegal and disfiguring cosmetic surgeries in their filthy home, filled with drugs and syringes.

Ha Nguyen, 48, and Zbigniew Makowski, 62, were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of practicing medicine without a license and child endangerment. Four children were removed from their home by child-welfare officials, authorities said.

One woman who received a facelift and tummy tuck from Nguyen now has thick three-inch scars next to each ear, scars above each eyebrow and under her lower lip, and a 15-inch scar across her stomach, said California Medical Board spokeswoman Candis Cohen.

Authorities were alerted to the couple's activities by a former client of Nguyen's, according to a search warrant affidavit. The client said Nguyen was performing cosmetic surgery in her home and earning at least $500 a day, while also receiving welfare, the affidavit said.

Makowski is suspected of being Nguyen's accomplice. Authorities said he transported patients to the house and helped clean wounds, authorities said.

More: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ILLEGAL_SURGERIES?SITE=MSJAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[TrogL]

1. What did you expect?

With the current "doctors don't know what they're talking about" meme going around, there's all sorts of stuff like this going on.

People believe quacks selling ear candling, aromatherapy and "detox cleasing" before they'll trust a doctor.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Sadly, this story is not unique.

There was a similar arrest in the Boston area last year.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14719452/

[Maddy McCall]

3. It just amazes me...

that people will chase youth so far as to allow strangers without MDs to perform unnecessary surgery on them.

Must be a market for it. :(

[Quantess]

6. Horrifying, but at least in the MA case the doctor had medical training.

I doesn't sound like the San Jose people did!:o

[shain from kane]

4. I've re-arranged the features on a few faces, myself. n/t

[VP505]

5. LOL.,

bet you didn't call it cosmetic surgery.

[prole_for_peace]

7. i can't imagine cheaping out on cosmetic surgery...

i don't even go to a cheap hair salon and my hair will grow back out if i get a bad cut or color... shopping for the cheapest provider on anything permanent (tattoos, cosmetic surgery) is beyond my understanding. in those things you usually get what you pay for.