Calayans face losing medical licenses over botched penis surgery

An American national who accused cosmetic surgeons Manny and Pie Calayan of “destroying his manhood” has asked the Professional Regulations Commision (PRC) to revoke their medical licenses.

Louem Martinez, 34, also sued them for P26 million in damages.

In both complaints, Martinez said he ended up having a deformed penis after undergoing surgery last year to enlarge it. He said the Calayans repeatedly assured him the process was safe and he was fit to undergo the operation.

He said the operation “could render me impotent for life or may cause my untimely death” because the doctors injected aquagel, which he described as a carcinogenic substance, into his penis.

Martinez is accusing the couple of alleged “conspiracy in the commission of medical malpractices and ethical conducts “in violation of the Code of Ethics of the Board of Medicine.”

The Calayans, who submitted their counter affidavits before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office last Wednesday, are expected to ask the PRC to junk the case. They are also asking third Assistant City Prosecutor Dennis Rafa to dismiss the multi-million peso civil suit, saying Martinez’s allegations are baseless and untrue.

According to his Filipina girlfriend, Martinez was supposed to marry her late last year after the penile operation. The wedding has since been cancelled.

Manny Calayan, in his counter-affidavit, said he explained the risks involved in the procedure, including the “possibility of penile deformity in the event that the instructions of the surgeon are not carefully followed.”

Manny said he strongly advised Martinez not to engage in sex for a month after the operation, but the patient allegedly replied that “it is hard not to have sex” when he has three girlfriends.

He also countered Martinez’ claim that aquagel is carcinogenic, noting that the substance is a dermal filler consisting mainly of 2.5 percent polyacrylamide, which is protein-based, and 97.5 percent water.

“More importantly, this dermal filler has been duly cleared and certified by the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration as well as in Europe,” Manny said.

Manny said he never saw Martinez again and was surprised to receive a letter dated Nov. 19, 2007 from the patient’s lawyer. He said he offered to do remedial surgery, including removing the aquagel, but Martinez rejected the offer.

Pie Calayan said she should not have been made a respondent in the case since Martinez is not her patient.