Coroner: Padilla patient died from OTC drugs, not surgery

By NATHAN S. WELTON
South Coast Beacon

A local woman who died hours after receiving cosmetic surgery from a local doctor in October had toxic levels of ephedra and Benadryl in her body, said Santa Barbara Sheriff’s officials this week.

According to a coroner’s report, the drugs — not the surgery — were responsible for the death of Susan Camusi, 50, who underwent liposuction, a tummy tuck and a face lift from Dr. John Padilla Oct. 6.

Ephedra, a dietary supplement purported to increase metabolism and subsequently burn fat, has come under fire in recent years due to a number of side effects like stroke, seizure and heart attacks. Some of these complications have led to fatalities.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the drug’s interaction with anesthesia can lead to irregular heartbeats.

Benadryl is a common antihistamine used for allergies and is considered to have benign side effects.

“The Benadryl and ephedrine toxicity alone would have been enough to cause death, regardless of the surgery,” said Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Pappas. “There were no therapeutic misadventures from the plastic surgery itself.”

Camusi was found by her post-surgery caretaker, 74-year-old Jackie Scanlan, while recuperating at Scanlan’s home. She had apparently not awakened from a nap, according to police reports.

Following Camusi’s death, Padilla came under investigation from the state medical board, and remains so today. Board official Candis Cohen offered no comment other than the investigation is still ongoing.

Padilla has received recognition for a number of community services, but has also been involved in several malpractice cases. He’s currently on probation from the state medical board for negligence, inadequate record keeping and performing procedures without his patients’ permission, records state.