State investigating surgery at unlicensed Vegas clinic

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 7:01 p.m.

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CARSON CITY – The state Health Division has ordered the office of a Las Vegas physician to stop performing unlicensed surgery, including at least one breast implant.

The cease and desist letter was delivered to the Skin + Body Institute operated by Dr. Sean Su accusing it of operating as an unlicensed ambulatory surgery center.

Dr. Su could not be reached for comment.

The division said a breast augmentation surgery was performed by Su on April 16 and the woman returned to the physician on June 3 to take care of problems. An implant was reinserted but the woman was admitted to a hospital on June 15 with an infection in the area of the surgery.

A complaint was filed with the state Board of Medical Examiners, which is conducting its own investigation.

Investigators with the state Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance inspected the institute at 2451 Professional Court, Suite 110, and said they found it was stocked with expired and unlabeled medications. They said there were severe breakdowns in infection control practices, including sterile supply breaches.

There was also a lack of documentation on the use, operation and maintenance of sterilization equipment, the bureau said.

Division Administrator Richard Whitley said, “While we expect doctors to follow law, it’s clear that there are those who operate in bad faith and don’t follow the laws of the state of Nevada.”

He said it is illegal to perform surgery in a facility not licensed by the state and this law is aimed at protecting the public from such problems as this one.

The division has turned over its documentation to the state Board of Pharmacy for review and the state Attorney General’s Office for legal action.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By nednougat

7/2/09 at 10:08 p.m.

Suggest removal

Don't want to mess up those breast augmentation surgeries. Lots of jobs here depend on them. No boobs, no work. Sad...
By mred

7/3/09 at 9:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

We don't need Government, Government is part of the problem not part of the solution. If someone wants to preform brain surgery on their kitchen table that is alright. I'm a libertarian. Just ask Vin and Sherm, we don't need Government except for the Military.
By jf121970

7/17/09 at 1:01 p.m.

Suggest removal

I had my chin done at Dr Su office with lipo, I was overcharged paid 5,000 dollars for less than a teaspoon of fat removal. After having major problems after the procedure he refused to return my calls, refused to see me and order the front desk to charge me 150.00! again for another consultation fee for the same procedure just because i cancled my botox membership with him.
I cancled because he punctured my vein and i had a large bruise for two weeks.
now my chin is ruined, looks horrible. and he isnt even willing to see it or try to help me or fix it.
I had to call a board certified plastic physician who was soooo nice they waived the consultation fee to see if it could be corrected. Thank you God!!!! also, I have some advise to anyone looking into botox or any procedure on their body.
make sure they are specificaly "BOARD CERTIFIED!!!" it matters! You only have one face. =(
By mariacross96

7/30/09 at 9:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

to chin lady: you don't seem to be a very smart person at all.
you probably will be unhappy with your new board certified doctor also and be complaining in a few months. that is the problem with health care today. patients like you don't take accountability and want to blame doctors for your unhappiness. why are you doing cosmetic procedures anyway, are you already unhappy with your life. a new face won't make your miserable life better. you sound depressed and probably need medicine.
By 823149

9/5/09 at 9:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

you people are really stupid! Dr Sean Sue was a family doctor he didn't have formal training in this field and was causing people harm!
The State Medical Board has filed legal papers with the court and Dr su can not practice medicine in the state of Nevada.