At a Glance
- Flavia Bueno, 35, cracked her skull on a sandbar while diving in Maresias on January 3
- The influencer with 150,000 followers woke from a coma and now faces 30-40 days in hospital
- Medical bills have already topped $200,000 after she dove without health insurance
- Why it matters: A single uninsured moment left a wellness guru fighting for her life and her family drowning in debt
Brazilian fitness influencer Flavia Bueno has regained consciousness after a diving accident left her comatose with severe brain and spinal injuries, her family confirmed. The 35-year-old, followed by more than 150,000 on Instagram for workout and wellness tips, hit her head on a hidden sandbar off São Paulo’s coast on January 3.
The Accident
Bueno was diving in the popular surf town of Maresias when she struck the ocean floor. She lost consciousness instantly and was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors discovered both a traumatic brain injury and a spinal cord injury, according to Brazilian news outlet UOL.
Her brother, Felipe Checchin da Silva Bueno, told UOL the impact was catastrophic:
- Immediate coma
- Emergency surgery within hours
- Transfer to intensive care
Family Updates
On January 12, Bueno’s family took over her Instagram account to break the news to followers.
> “She is bravely fighting for her life in the ICU,” the post read.
Hours later, Felipe delivered a glimmer of hope: Flavia had opened her eyes. She cannot yet speak, but she can communicate non-verbally with loved ones at her bedside.
Felipe described his sister as “a determined woman above all else” with “a huge heart.”
> “Inside, she’s a little girl when she’s with her family, but in her personal and professional life, she’s a very strong, very competent woman,” he said.
Doctors project a hospital stay of 30 to 40 more days, though no timeline for full recovery has been shared.
Mounting Bills
Because Bueno did not have health insurance, every scan, surgery, and night in the ICU is being billed directly to her family. The total already exceeds $200,000, prompting relatives to launch a GoFundMe.
The fundraiser page pleads:
> “We are asking for help to keep Flavia alive and give her a chance at recovery. Every donation matters. Every share helps.”
Key Takeaways
- One uninsured dive changed everything: a fitness influencer faces months of rehab and six-figure debt
- Her 150,000 followers now rally behind a GoFundMe that underscores the cost of medical care without coverage
- Despite waking from a coma, Bueno’s long-term prognosis remains undisclosed
