Woman needs surgery after breast injections

A woman had to undergo corrective surgery after getting breast and buttocks injections from a Quincy-area man.

State Health Department spokeswoman Julie Graham claims the man injected the woman three times between June 2011 and June 2012. “This is the first case that we’re aware of in Washington state where somebody’s been using some unknown substance and doing augmentation injections,” she said.

For now, since Mario Palafox-Valle is not licensed, state regulators can do no more than tell him to stop. If he refuses, the state could go to court for a cease-and-desist order.

Palafox-Valle has 20 days to seek a hearing to contest the allegations against him.

The Health Department has also notified local police, who could conduct a criminal investigation.

Graham points out that patients can always contact the state Health Department to confirm if a provider is licensed in Washington.