An Instagram model has revealed how a botched boob job caused her nipples to lose blood flow and ‘die’ – turning so black that they looked ‘burned’ – after she got five surgeries on one day.
Alejandra Mercedes, 25, from Miami, Florida, went under the knife in October 2021 – getting a combined breast lift and implant change to reduce the size of her 34DDD cups, as well as liposuction on her back, and a J-Plasma Skin Tightening procedure.
However, the five-in-one-day operation, which cost her $20,000, left the influencer with necrosis on both of her areolas – which occurs when cells or tissue on your body dies.
Alejandra was horrified when she removed her bandages three days after the surgery and discovered that her nipples had both turned black due to lack of blood flow.
An Instagram model has revealed how a botched boob job caused her nipples to lose blood flow and ‘die’ – turning so black they looked ‘burned’ – after she got five surgeries on one day
Alejandra Mercedes, 25, from Miami, Florida, went under the knife in October 2021 – getting a five different surgeries in one day, including a breast lift and implant change, as well as liposuction and a J-Plasma Skin Tightening procedure
However, the five-in-one-day operation, which cost her $20,000, left the influencer with necrosis on both of her areolas – which occurs when cells or tissue on your body dies
Alejandra was horrified when she removed her bandages three days after the surgery and discovered that her nipples had both turned black due to lack of blood flow
She was then re-admitted to the hospital where doctors had to use scissors to cut away some of the dead cells
She was then re-admitted to the hospital where doctors had to use scissors to cut away some of the dead cells. She was also forced to undergo another surgery, after her breast muscle ‘burst through her stitches.’
She has fully healed since then, but was only left with two centimeters of her areola. Now, she is sharing her harrowing story in an attempt to warn others of possible surgical complications.
Alejandra got her first surgery as a teenager, when she received a liposuction procedure.
Over the past decade, the influencer, who has gained more than one million followers on Instagram under the username @alejandramercedesxc), has since undergone seven more surgeries – including further liposuction, a BBL, a nose job, and several breast enhancements.
However, it hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride – with Alejandra’s latest surgery going terribly wrong.
‘My takeaway from this experience is that it is much better to only have one surgery at a time,’ she told Jam Press.
She was also forced to undergo another surgery, after her breast muscle ‘burst through her stitches’
Now, she is sharing her harrowing story in an attempt to warn others of possible surgical complications
Alejandra got her first surgery as a teenager, when she received a liposuction procedure. Over the past decade, the influencer has since undergone seven more surgeries. She is pictured after the botched procedure
However, it hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride – with Alejandra’s latest surgery going terribly wrong. She is pictured after she first removed the bandages and discovered the necrosis
‘I think the necrosis and issues with my recovery and pain were all because my body couldn’t cope with so many surgical sites to heal.’
Alejandra explained that her nipples were ‘so black, they looked burned,’ adding that they were ‘completely dead’ by the time she discovered something was wrong.
‘I was panicking and worried I would look like I’d had cancer with no nipples at all,’ she admitted.
According to BreastCancer.org, ‘Sometimes the breast skin doesn’t heal properly because the network of blood vessels that supply blood to the tissue were damaged.
‘The skin may have been thinned too much when tissue was removed during the mastectomy. When there isn’t enough blood flow to the skin, portions of the skin on one or both breasts can wither and scab.’
Alejandra immediately went back to the surgeon’s office, where she was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and given creams to promote the regeneration of healthy tissue on her breast.
She explained: ‘They gave me a cream to put on the parts where I had necrosis that would allow the dead skin to soften up and fall off.
‘Most of it did but on some parts they had to cut it off with scissors. Then some of my breast muscle burst through my stitches and I needed a second surgery to put everything back together neatly. Thankfully I healed well after that.’
She said she thinks the reason it went wrong was because she tried to get so many procedures done on the same day. Alejandra is pictured before the surgery
Alejandra explained that her nipples were ‘so black, they looked burned,’ adding that they were ‘completely dead’ by the time she discovered something was wrong
Alejandra immediately went back to the surgeon’s office, where she was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and given creams to promote the regeneration of healthy tissue on her breast
She said: ‘Some parts they had to cut it off with scissors. Then some of my breast muscle burst through my stitches and I needed a second surgery to put everything back together neatly. Thankfully I healed well after that’
Now fully recovered, Alejandra has written an e-book about her experience, entitled Results after the Cut.
Now fully recovered, Alejandra has written an e-book about her experience, entitled Results after the Cut
She wants to share her experience as a warning to other women considering surgery, and encourage them to do their research on preventative measures and possible side effects.
Alejandra, who has also starred as a dancer in rapper 6ix9ine’s music video for his single YAYA, added: ‘I have met so many women who suffered necrosis and infections like what happened to me.
‘Before I suffered I had no idea how common these issues were after plastic surgery.
‘We don’t know why it happened to me but I especially want women to think carefully about having more than one surgery at a time as it puts a lot of strain on the body to try and recover.
‘After this experience, I don’t think I will have another procedure except maybe a cosmetic tattoo to improve the scars around my nipples.
‘At the moment I only have a tiny bit of areola left, only about two centimeters. But I am so grateful for how well I healed. I feel beautiful now.’
Within her book, Alejandra shares tips including not smoking for two months before surgery to aid blood flow, not drinking alcohol, taking vitamins, and staying on top of prescribed antibiotics.
Hazim Sadideen, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic in London, shared additional advice to Jam Press.
‘Smoking can hugely increase the risk of post-surgical complications,’ he told them.
‘The nicotine and carbon monoxide from cigarettes restricts the air flow to the lungs, which need to be working towards 100 per cent capacity during general anaesthetic.
‘Smoking affects the circulation which reduces the blood flow to the skin, causing a delay in wound healing.
‘Cigarette smoke also increases the risk of infection and heart-related complications and negatively impacts the immune system.
She wants to share her experience as a warning to other women considering surgery, and encourage them to do their research on preventative measures and possible side effects. She is pictured before the surgery
She added: ‘I have met so many women who suffered necrosis and infections like what happened to me. Before I suffered I had no idea how common these issues were after plastic surgery’
Alejandra, who was left with only about two centimeters left of her areola, said she doesn’t think she will undergo anymore procedures. She is pictured after the surgery
Within her book, Alejandra shares tips including not smoking for two months before surgery to aid blood flow, not drinking alcohol, taking vitamins, and staying on top of prescribed antibiotics
‘It is advisable to quit smoking at least six weeks before any major procedure.’
Meanwhile, certain vitamins can ‘interfere’ with the anaesthesia, and aren’t recommended before plastic surgery.
The doctor added: ‘Certain vitamins should be avoided pre-surgery which may interfere with anaesthetic, bleeding and healing, however some are extremely useful for optimising health and healing.
‘Vitamins such as vitamin C, D & E and zinc can help support immunity and healing however some supplements and extracts such as garlic and turmeric can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.’
Above all, he said it’s important to make sure to find a surgeon and clinic with experience in the procedure you’re interested in having.
A few more tips include reading online reviews and the doctor’s patient testimonials, checking their qualifications, and looking at before and after photos of similar operations they have performed.
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