Natália Cavanellas: Tragedy strikes as social media influencer, mum dies during cosmetic surgery
A prominent social media influencer and business entrepreneur has died on the operating table during a routine cosmetic surgery procedure.
Natália Cavanellas, who boasted a personal following of over 100,000 on her personal business account and a further 30,000 followers on Instagram, is reported to have entered a São Paulo hospital for the operation and developed a sudden issue that resulted in her death.
CNN Brasil said the 40-year-old mother had died on the operating table on Monday July 7 after going into cardiorespiratory arrest during the procedure, and that the case has been registered for investigation as a “sudden death”.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Forensic Medical Institute’s investigation into the cause of Ms Cavanellas’s death is ongoing.
Cavanellas has been described as a wife, mother and “entrepreneur and leader of a community of over 800 female business owners and executives”.
She leaves behind her daughter Manoella, and husband, Rafael Thomazella who has released a statement on her sudden passing.
“We all know what a great woman Natalia was,” Mr Thomazella said via Instagram.
“A beautiful, independent, super professional, happy woman, among so many other qualities.
“Sadly, Natalia left us yesterday, but forever she will be in our memories and our hearts.”
Speaking of his daughter and the legacy provided by her mother, Mr Thomazella was glowing about his late wife.
“I will always tell Manoella how her mother was an amazing woman, the kind of person that everyone loves, admires, and will always keep her alive in our memories.”
The surgeon performing the operation, Dr Edgar Lopez, has claimed that Cavanellas “underwent an elective surgical procedure, performed in a suitable hospital setting, with all preoperative examinations completed in accordance with safety protocols and medical monitoring.”
A statement from the doctor provided to CNN Brazil and published People added that the circumstances were tragic but “unfortunately, the patient developed a serious complication, compatible with pulmonary embolism, a rare event, but recognised in the medical literature as possible, even with all the preventive measures adopted.”
His defence noted his “over 20 years of experience” and “specialised training,” as well as his history of “always acting with ethics, responsibility, and dedication.”
