What was meant to be a happy trip turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a Las Vegas woman. Ahmonique Miller, 28, and her 19-year-old sister, Kiera Barnes, traveled to Miami from Nevada for a cosmetic procedure. After completing their surgeries at Avana Plastic Surgery Clinic, the sisters checked into a post-surgery recovery home, where they planned to stay for six nights. Tragically, things took a devastating turn when Ahmonique was found unresponsive in her bed. According to her sister, she had been given a muscle relaxant and possibly multiple Percocets.
Keyla’s Recovery House claimed to be a legitimate post-surgery recovery facility, but the truth was far from it. The operation was unlicensed and lacked the necessary permits to legally house or care for patients. In their negligence, staff likely administered medication to help Ahmonique Miller sleep—medication that had not been prescribed to her. While the Las Vegas woman did close her eyes that night, she never woke up. Her body was later discovered lying face down, heavily bandaged.
Keyla’s Recovery House attorney declined to comment on the incident. In contrast, Miller’s family attorney, Jahra McLawrence, expressed outrage over the situation. The Las Vegas woman’s mother was both shocked and heartbroken, revealing that her granddaughter had just lost her mother.
What happened to Miller was a tragedy that should never have occurred. Many people expressed their sympathy to the grieving family, who had just lost their loved one. Some also voiced frustration over the growing trend of people seeking plastic surgery. “Hopefully, these stories serve as a reminder that plastic surgery is no joke. It’s not something to try on a whim or at a discount,” one Redditor commented.
Others raised concerns about the lax regulations surrounding plastic surgery and recovery homes. “It’s not clear that a license is required for a ‘recovery house’ for plastic surgery patients in Florida. The only information I could find refers to ‘sober living homes,’ halfway houses, or debt recovery businesses. Even the 2024 Florida Statutes governing ‘recovery residences’ focus on substance abuse and addiction, with no mention of procedures like plastic surgery,” another user explained.
Some Redditors who are doctors shared their experiences, noting that many people have started a trend of traveling to Miami for surgeries. Apparently, surgeries in that area are much more affordable compared to other cities. “The problem is, when complications arise, it’s difficult for a surgeon here to take on the mess created by another doctor, especially when they’re 5 hours away at best,” one user explained.
