Boca Teen Dies from Complications after Corrective Plastic Surgery

Last Update: 3/26 11:39 pm

Stephanie may have died from reactions to anesthesia medication given to her

Reported By: WPTV Paige Kornblue
Photographed By: Glenn Weston

We are hearing more questions and concerns from the family of a West Boca High School student who died after undergoing corrective breast surgery. Stephanie Kuleba died over the weekend and Tuesday evening, family and friends gathered to mourn at the Babione Funeral Home in suburban Boca Raton.

One friend Tuesday described Stephanie as "the sunshine of our lives". What has frightened so many younger and older adults is that this was a sudden death as a result of a surgery South Florida knows all too well.

With flowers in hand, friends poured in to the Babione Funeral Home. "Because I loved her, I have to be here for her," says friend Colleen Kirkwood. Pictures probably meant for graduation mementos are now pasted on poster board. Photos and stories are what they can share with Stephanie Kuleba’s family.

The family's attorney, Roberto Stanziale, says doctors reported that Stephanie died from a rare genetic disorder called malignant hyperthermia, which was triggered by certain anesthetics. Stanziale says Stephanie went in for the breast surgery Friday primarily to correct a birth defect and breast augmentation was in the plan as well.
"Whether this was a vanity issue or whether this was not a vanity issue doesn't matter. She should not have died during this procedure," says Stanziale. Stanziale says there are so many questions that need to be answered.
"What was the anesthetic she was given and what could have been done to prevent it? When was it diagnosed if at all while in the surgical suite and did they have the medication needed to treat her?" says Stanziale.

Friends say it's the questions and the emotions that make this day so difficult. "Just all of a sudden, no one expected anything," says Kirkwood. At West Boca High School, the makeshift memorial remains and it continues to grow. Flowers, candles, spirit beads, pom poms were all resting on the fence for their friend Stephanie.

"It's really hard at school because everyone really loved Steph. We would sometimes walk to third hour together, so I had third hour today and she wasn't there," says Brooke Golob. At school, at work... everyone seemed to love Steph. For the past three years, she's worked at Rotelli's Pizza & Pasta. "A real team player... a real pleasure to have her on board with us," says Rotelli owner Cathy Bilotti. "I feel really bad for what happened. It's tragic," says Dylan Lindsey. Lindsey worked with Stephanie at Rotelli's and attended the viewing Tuesday.

Autopsy results are pending.

The family expressed thanks to the community for the support and hopes they can soon learn exactly why their daughter died so that something like this doesn't happen to any one else.