From Aesthetic Breast Augmentation to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Escaping Death: Why Plastic Surgery Specialty Training and an Ideal Setting Matter.

Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that is generally considered safe. However, the rising trend of nonspecialists performing these procedures has increased the risk of complications, including rare but serious acute bleeding. We present a case of a healthy 22-year-old patient who experienced acute bleeding after bilateral breast augmentation by a nonplastic surgeon, resulting in massive hypovolemic shock that required 27 packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and led to acute cardiopulmonary failure.