A 33-year-old mother of three young children is dead after undergoing a series of cosmetic surgery procedures performed by her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin J Brown, of Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Benjamin Brown, 40, was the patient’s husband but not the father of her children. They had been married for two years.
Dr. Ben Brown described the procedures he performed on his late wife as “minor and routine,” and maintains that during the procedures, “all safety and medical protocols were strictly followed,” despite her perishing.
Hillary Ellington Brown, 33, went into cardiac arrest on Tues., November 21, at Restore Plastic Surgery in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Brown was pronounced dead a week later, on November 28, after being taken off life support. She had gone too long without oxygen to her brain.
“Hillary was the most loving, talented, caring and giving person. She was employed by Restore Plastic Surgery in Gulf Breeze, FL where staff and clients praised her kind and cheerful nature,” an obituary for the late mother says.
“She chose to be an organ donor which by her sacrifice, organs were transferred to 5 recipients which will enhance and restore their lives.
“She was a loving and supportive Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister and friend. Her radiant attitude and infectious smile will be truly missed.”
Patients are typically advised to seek board-certified plastic surgeons who are members in good standing with national plastic surgery societies, which Dr. Benjamin Brown is or was.
Dr. Ben Brown is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He owns and operates out of Restore Plastic Surgery, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Restore Plastic Surgery is now reportedly permanently closed, as of Friday.
“In general, physicians should not treat themselves or members of their own families,” the American Medical Association suggests, allowing that short-term minor problems, and emergency settings may be exceptions.
The Pensacola News Journal first reported on Brown’s passing, and covers additional exclusive details.
Among them, Hillary’s father, Marty Ellington is asking what drugs his daughter was given prior to surgery: “[Dr. Brown] said that the medicine they usually use, they were out of, so he used something different,” Ellington told the Journal.
“He also wants to know why there wasn’t a crash cart, which holds life-saving equipment like oxygen and defibrillators at the office, along with properly trained medical staff who could have helped,” the Journal notes.
In response to early media coverage on Hillary’s death, Dr. Brown’s family issued a statement:
“Ben is completely devastated by the sudden loss of his loving wife Hillary and is desperately trying to understand how to live one day, never mind a lifetime without her by his side. His deep grief and shock is only compounded by many mistruths circulating online and in the media.
“The procedures Ben performed on the day of Hillary’s passing were minor and routine. All safety and medical protocols were strictly followed, and the procedures took place during office hours with the support of Ben’s medical staff. Ben is a dedicated and incredibly talented surgeon, with no previous disciplinary actions or marks.”
See also: Justice for Hillary.