Choosing the right plastic surgeon

A doctor in phoenix is behind bars convicted in the liposuction deaths of three-people. How do you know you're choosing the right doctor to perform your surgery?

Dr. Armando Soto/Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, stopped by Good Day Monday to discuss the importance of finding a board certified plastic surgeon.

Doctor Found Guilty of 2nd Degree Murder, Manslaughter

By BRITT MORENO
FOX 10 News

PHOENIX - He was a valley doctor accused of practicing bad medicine - allowing three patients to die in his care.

"When I go see a doctor and a nurse, I expect to be treated and not die after I see the doctor," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Following his arrest, other patients came forward, saying they went to Dr. Peter Normann for cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction and breast augmentations - and he left them scarred and disfigured.

"I'm one of the fortunate ones that didn't die doctors keep telling me," said a patient, who did not want to be identified.

Investigators say he allowed a massage therapist to perform surgeries and trained a janitor to help.

"According to the Sheriff's report, Normann stated that he informally trained the janitor," said former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.

The County Attorney's office charged Normann with two counts of second degree murder and one count of manslaughter.

The case went to trial and on Friday, jurors came back with their verdict.

He was found guilty and when the verdict was read, two mothers wept in court: Normann's and Grace Gonzalez. Her son, Ralph Gonzalez, died on Normann's operating table.

The Anthem plastic surgeon was held responsible in court for the deaths of three patients, including 33-year-old Gonzalez.

Grace told the jury Normann caused her family extreme financial and emotional loss, saying her family not only lost their loved one, but thousands of dollars.

She remembers when she received the dreaded call.

"It wasn't Ralph on the other line, it was Peter Normann, he shared with me that Ralph had died," she said.

After the verdict was read, Gonzalez gave Normann's mother a pat on the back.

"I'm sorry for what she is going through. Every mother who has a son put away, you feel for that child. I feel for that mother. I feel because I have lost my own son," said Gonzalez.

David Duarte was the first EMT to walk into the operating room where Ralph Gonzalez lay dying.

"It was one of the roughest days I've had as a paramedic as far as dealing with another professional. A lot of things were done that weren't normal," he said.

Duarte said Normann had shoved a breathing tube into Gonzalez's esophagus and he had to fight the doctor in order to reinsert the tube into Gonzalez's trachea.

Even though Normann is behind bars, Gonzalez says there are no wins Friday.

"There are no winners in this case...I can't get my son back..the other three that died..they can't get their family members back. However, hopefully Peter Normann won't be able to hurt anyone else," said Grace.

Gonzalez says she misses her son's daily phone calls the most.

Normann will be sentenced in court on August 19.