Beauty influencer dies suddenly after weight loss surgery 'didn't go smoothly'

A beauty influencer who underwent surgery has tragically died after falling seriously ill during her recovery.

Mum-of-one Valéria Pantoja, from , became seriously unwell on Friday, May 3, and was rushed to a hospital - but was unresponsive by the time she arrived. Her heartbroken family took to to break the news to her 12,700 followers. As the word spread, some began speculating on the cause of Valéria's death. Her sister-in-law then clarified: “She didn’t take her own life, and she didn’t fall down the stairs. We still don’t know the cause of death. Only the autopsy will tell us. She was recovering from bariatric surgery, was very weak, felt unwell during the night, and sadly arrived at the hospital with no signs of life.” Valéria’s family did not reveal the ’s age.

Her follower Luh Sales said: “She had the surgery last year, but her recovery didn’t go smoothly.”

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Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, is a procedure designed to treat obesity and other related health conditions. Before her death, Valéria had worked as a beautician in Manaus, , offering lip fillers, Botox, and micropigmentation. Her Instagram bio read: “I help you find the best version of yourself.”

One of her clients, influencer Caila Carim - who boasts 287,000 Instagram followers- says she had an appointment booked with Valéria on the day of her death on May 3. Caila shared a clip of herself to the platform in tears as she discovered the news.

Follower Ana Paula commented: “Her craziness and contagious laughter will live on in the hearts of many who had the pleasure of knowing Valéria.” And her daughter, Ana Cecília, wrote: “Losing your mum is one of the hardest things. If you still have your mum by your side, cherish her, because losing the person who brought you into this is not easy at all.

“For those of you who argue with your mum or disobey her, don’t. Because the day after an argument, she’ll be there making you a special breakfast and saying, ‘I love you, my daughter. You mean everything to me.’ No one is ever truly prepared to lose their mum, the one who gave them life.

“My mum always told me she loved me whenever she could. Every night before bed, she’d say, ‘Daughter, I love you, okay? Never forget that.’ So value her, because you only get one mum. I love my mum with all my heart.”