Man Plans ‘Beautiful Funeral’ for Wife After Cosmetic Procedure Goes Wrong in Mexico

Garrett Robinson is focused on giving his wife a fitting memorial just days after she died following an infection she may have contracted at a plastic and reconstructive surgery clinic in Mexico.

"I'm just trying to get through all this and give her the beautiful funeral she deserves," Garrett tells The Messenger of his wife, Lauren Robinson.

"I'm not worried about anything other than that right now," the Texas father adds.

Lauren, who loved ones say had a "vibrant personality" that "lit up any room she entered," died on May 31, leaving behind Garrett, her two children, and two stepchildren.

Lauren's health began to decline after she contracted fungal meningitis following a trip to Matamoros for a cosmetic procedure in February, Garrett told NBC affiliate KBMT.

The Mexican city is located directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas.

"[Lauren] was great, the results were great, everything was good," Garrett told the outlet about his wife's health after she returned home from the operation.

"She started going back to work," he continued, "then she started constantly telling me, 'I have a headache; something is not right.' "

Doctors later diagnosed Lauren with meningitis based on spinal fluid and blood tests.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, fungal meningitis can occur when a fungal infection spreads from somewhere in the body to the brain or spinal cord.

Primary symptoms are fever, headache, nausea, confusion, vomiting and a sensitivity to light.

On GoFundMe, where loved ones are raising money to support the family, Garrett documented what Lauren experienced before her death, including a trip to the ICU in mid-May after she had two mild strokes.

While at the hospital, doctors discovered a clot in her brain. Lauren then experienced a main blood vessel collapse in her brain a day later, and doctors performed what Garrett called a "very dangerous procedure" to save her life.

His last update, just three days before her death, mentioned that Lauren was on a ventilator and sedated.

"I don't think there will ever be a 'normal' without you, Lauren Robinson," friend Bobbie Brown wrote of Lauren on Facebook after Lauren died. "I can't even begin to process what life without you is going to be like."

Garrett told KBMT that he hopes sharing Lauren's story will prevent others from going through the same pain and loss.

"My kids look up to her like she was their own; it's just, it's heartbreaking, and I just want people to know, you know, tell your wife no," he explained to the news station.

"I can't explain how it feels to go through this, and I can't tell everyone enough, don't do it," Garrett added.

In a notice published Friday, the Texas Department of State Health Services advised anyone who received surgery, including liposuction with an epidural, in Matamoros this year to "seek medical care to be evaluated for a possible fungal infection."

The department said they are investigating a possible fungal meningitis outbreak among its residents who traveled to the border town for procedures in 2023

As KBMT reported, two clinics, River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3, were closed in May.

Lauren's funeral services are scheduled for June 5 at First Baptist Church in Vidor, followed by an interment at Restlawn Memorial Park.

Garrett's GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $10,000 as of Friday afternoon.