A UW-Madison plastic surgeon was accused of sexual exploitation and medical negligence in a lawsuit filed Friday by a female patient who underwent cosmetic surgery procedures last year.
According to the lawsuit, when Keri Anne Connaughty of Wausau went to UW plastic surgeon John Siebert for a tummy tuck and breast augmentation surgery she did not receive the correct implant size because Siebert disregarded her request. She said Siebert implanted silicone breast implants that were 350-375 cubic centimeters when she had asked for implants that were 225-250 cubic centimeters.
When Connaughty experienced discomfort after the surgery, including pain, swelling and bleeding of the abdomen, she said she returned to Siebert for help.
However, when she arrived to her appointment, she alleged that Siebert inappropriately touched her shoulders and bare legs, seemingly trying to console her as she cried from the pain of her abdomen wound.
In the lawsuit, Connaughty also said Siebert called her “babe” and “sweetie”, names which made her feel uncomfortable.
Connaughty, a mother of three, said by filing the lawsuit she is “advocating for others so no one has to experience what I did.”
Before working at UW Health Transformations, Siebert was involved with a sexual misconduct case in New York, where he was found guilty of having a sexual relationship with one of his patients.
UW Health spokeswoman Lisa Brunette said they do not comment on pending litigation, but said Siebert has provided "invaluable care to patients" during his time at the hospital.
