Investigators Link Kidney Failures to Cosmetic Injections

Investigators Link Kidney Failures to Cosmetic Injections

Wednesday, 16 Jan 2008, 8:29 PM EST
By CHAD TUCKER
FOX8 News

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) – Three women, all from different parts of the U.S. suffered kidney failure after receiving cosmetic injections at a Greensboro clinic.

State health officials said the women, from Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Maryland, respectively, received silicone injections into their buttocks.

All three had the same procedure on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007 at AltMed of the Triad, a business describing itself as a medical facility and day spa.

"Two are on dialysis and one is not, but does have decreased function of her kidneys," said Guilford County health director Merle Green.

Green said their investigation revealed the cosmetic procedure, which reportedly costs $1,200, was completely performed illegally because the staff used a brand of silicone not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"It helps the person (receiving the procedure) have an hour glass figure," said Green. "Their injections were all given in the buttocks so that it would round out the hips, truly cosmetic."

Health investigators also believe no medical doctors were on staff the day of the injections or even work for the company. Green believes the company's owner, Laura Cheek, performed the injections on the women.

Records show Cheek's only medical qualifications are education as an X-ray technician.

Cheek identified herself to FOX8 News Wednesday as the practice administrator. Although she would not go on camera, Cheek said the injections were administered by trained staff and that certified doctors are on staff, though she would not share their names or credentials.

Investigators believe the women suffering from kidney damage found the clinic from the its Web site www.AltMedoftheTriad.com, which also reportedly offers human growth hormone injections. As of Wednesday evening, the Web site claimed it was "under construction" and not available. The site was working earlier in the day.

Cheek told FOX8 News the women with kidney failure made up the allegations and were only after money.

Health officials said they have ordered the clinic to stop all injections for now. The clinic faces possible misdemeanor charges of practicing medicine without a license.

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