2 Doctors Lose Their Licenses in Liposuction Death

The Medical Board of California revoked the licenses Wednesday of a plastic surgeon and an anesthesiologist whose liposuction patient died of blood loss after more than 10 hours of outpatient surgery in Irvine.

Dr. W. Earle Matory Jr., 47, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and Dr. Robert K. Hoo, an anesthesiologist one year out of residency, committed gross negligence and incompetence in the case of Judy Fernandez, who died March 17, a judge ruled.

Fernandez died at Irvine Medical Center, where she was taken 1 1/2 hours after having liposuction to her legs, hips, buttocks, knees and arms; a mini-face lift; a brow lift; and laser resurfacing of her face.

Administrative Law Judge Vincent Nafarrete’s 66-page recommendation to immediately revoke the physicians’ licenses was adopted by the six-member Division of Medical Quality of the medical board in Sacramento.

Nafarrete, who heard the 26-day trial, concluded that Matory and Hoo failed to recognize signs at midday that Fernandez’s condition was unstable. Instead, they went on to operate four more hours without discussing the possibility of reducing the surgery plan, then failed to promptly transfer Fernandez to a hospital afterward, despite her declining state.

“This is really a Thanksgiving gift to our family,” said the patient’s husband, Ruben, of La Habra.

But Matory’s attorney, Lloyd Charton, said his client will “vigorously pursue an appeal.”

Hoo’s lawyer, Arthur Chenen, said he needs to analyze the decision before deciding on an appeal.

The physicians can apply to have their licenses restored in three years, when the medical board can elect to review the case, said Deputy Atty. Gen. Richard Hendlin.