Christine Patterson, Office Worker, Allegedly Performs Medicine Without License

The old adage "Fake it 'til you make it" can be a real prescription for trouble.

Christine Patterson, 44, an office manager in her brother's cosmetic surgery office, was arrested this week for allegedly performing a surgical procedure on a patient's face while her brother was out of the office.

The alleged incident happened in April 2011 when a patient went to see Patterson's brother, Dr. Alberico Sessa, for a follow-up visit.

Patterson allegedly examined the victim, re-wrapped the bandages and sent the patient home, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

However, the patient returned the next day with a face described by two witnesses as “swollen like a pumpkin.” The suspect then allegedly took matters into her own hands by inserting a drain to remove excess fluid, FoxNews.com reported.

The patient later told investigators that the pain during the procedure was excruciating, according to the Herald Tribune.

Patterson allegedly told a co-worker that day that she had seen the procedure done "plenty of times."

Deputies in Sarasota County, Fla., say they confirmed Patterson conducted the surgical procedure without a license, but her husband, John Patterson doesn't believe the allegations.

Her husband told us his wife does not have a medical background and does not believe the allegations made against her.

"My wife never went to medical school," John Patterson told WTSP-TV. "She won't even know how to attempt to do something like that."

Patterson was charged with practicing medicine without a license, accused of performing a post-operative procedure on a patient after a cosmetic surgery.

She is being held without bond until her first court appearance and is prohibited from having contact with any patients of Dr. Sessa or his business, Sarasota Surgical Arts, according to the Associated Press.