Toronto — A cosmetic surgeon here has been found guilty of professional misconduct and deemed incompetent following the death of one of her patients and botched procedures she allegedly performed on others, the online Toronto Sun reports.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) found that Behnaz Yazdanfar, M.D., “failed to maintain the standard of practice” and was “unprofessional” while practicing cosmetic surgery from 2005 to 2008.
According to the Sun, Krista Stryland, 32, died following stomach reduction surgery at Dr. Yazdanfar’s clinic in September 2007. During Dr. Yazdanfar’s 2009 CPSO hearing, a plastic surgeon testified that Ms. Stryland “was bleeding so profusely from multiple puncture wounds” that her heart stopped.
At the same hearing, a paramedic who worked on Ms. Stryland testified that Dr. Yazdanfar and her anesthesiologist waited too long to call 911. The anesthesiologist also was found guilty of misconduct and “disgraceful” performance, according to the Sun.
The decision also mentioned former patient Francine Mendelson, who filed a complaint with the CPSO after learning of Ms. Stryland’s death. Ms. Mendelson, 66, said in 2009 that following her liposuction at Dr. Yazdanfar’s clinic, she bled so badly after returning home that her husband had to cover their bed with garbage bags.
Dr. Yazdanfar was a family doctor after graduating from the University of Ottawa in 1994. She began focusing on cosmetic surgery in 2000, according to the Sun.
Since her 2009 hearing, the CPSO has banned Dr. Yazdanfar from performing surgeries. A penalty hearing is pending.
