Sarwa Aldoori, a former California plastic surgeon whose medical license was permanently revoked, was found dead in a swimming pool in Bakersfield on Tuesday evening, according to officials. The Kern County Coroner identified Aldoori, 71, after her body was discovered at a home in Bakersfield.
The circumstances surrounding her death are still under investigation, and the cause and manner of death are pending.
Aldoori's medical license was revoked more than two years ago after she failed to participate in a court-ordered probation program. This program was a consequence of a botched tummy tuck procedure that resulted in the death of a patient.
According to California Medical Board documents, Aldoori faced multiple violations, including gross negligence and performing surgery and administering anesthesia in an unaccredited surgical center. The disciplinary case stemmed from the death of a 43-year-old woman who underwent a tummy tuck procedure with Aldoori on April 13, 2016. Aldoori's husband, Dr. Yakdan Alqaisi, served as the anesthesiologist during the surgery.
The patient was found unconscious and without a pulse the following day by her family. She was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital. The Kern County Coroner determined that a fat embolism caused by the surgery, with adult respiratory distress syndrome as a contributing factor, led to her death.
Regulators had alleged that Aldoori lacked sufficient training to perform the cosmetic procedure. Her disciplinary issues began in 2021 after accusations were filed regarding the fatal surgery. Initially placed on a seven-year probation, her license was later revoked by the Medical Board for non-compliance with the probation terms. The license revocation became effective in July 2022, and Aldoori surrendered her California physician's license in March 2024.
Aldoori had practiced for approximately 35 years, primarily as an OB-GYN, and was a physician at Bella Health and Beauty, a plastic surgery practice in northeast Bakersfield that specialized in women's health, wellness, and cosmetic procedures. Authorities have not indicated whether foul play is suspected in her death.