Woman sues Miami surgeon after breast surgery she says left nipples black, implant nearly exposed

A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that a breast lift and enlargement she underwent in August 2023 left her with necrotic tissue, exposed implant material and other severe complications that went unaddressed for months.

The complaint, filed by 46-year-old Machelle Latimer, says the four-hour procedure performed by Dr. Christopher Salgado at The Secret Plastic Surgery clinic in Miami initially concluded without apparent complications. According to the suit, Latimer woke the day after surgery to find her nipples and areolas had turned black — a sign clinicians regard as a potential loss of blood supply and tissue death.

The lawsuit alleges that, despite the visible changes, Latimer's concerns were dismissed by her medical providers and she did not seek hospital care until roughly five months later. She claims that, as a consequence, she lost her nipples, nearly had an implant fall out, developed a hole in her chest, and experienced such severe tissue breakdown that she could "see inside" her body. The complaint names Dr. Salgado and The Secret Plastic Surgery as defendants.

Medical experts and surgical texts say darkening of skin after breast operations can result from interrupted blood flow caused by damaged vessels, excessive tension on tissues, smoking, infection or other factors. When tissue turns black it often indicates necrosis, which raises the risk of deep infection, implant exposure and, in extreme cases, sepsis if bacteria enter the bloodstream. Prompt assessment and, where indicated, surgical intervention are standard responses to protect remaining tissue and reduce systemic risks.

The suit does not appear to include details of any specific subsequent treatments Latimer received after presenting to a hospital, nor does it quote any response from the surgeon or clinic. The complaint describes the sequence of symptoms and alleges that timely medical care was not provided to address the signs of tissue compromise.

Breast lift and augmentation procedures carry recognized risks including bleeding, infection, scarring and tissue loss. Surgeons typically monitor skin color, sensation and perfusion closely in the immediate postoperative period to detect ischemia. Patients who note progressive darkening, unusual drainage, increasing pain, fever or implant exposure are generally advised to seek urgent evaluation.

The lawsuit joins a broader body of litigation and reporting on postoperative complications in cosmetic surgery, highlighting tensions between patient expectations and outcomes, as well as disputes over timeliness and adequacy of follow-up care. Court filings generally seek compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and corrective procedures; the specific relief sought by Latimer is detailed in her complaint.

The case remains pending. The complaint frames the injuries and delayed care as central grievances; the defendants have not been quoted in the filings provided with the lawsuit about the allegations.