Leslie Caoili survived a Type A aortic dissection discovered during a routine cardiology visit and is now preparing for rehabilitation.
SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — A 41-year-old San Diego County mother and competitive strength athlete lost both arms and both legs after surviving emergency heart surgery for a life-threatening tear in her aorta that doctors discovered during a routine appointment in May.
Leslie Caoili went to a cardiology appointment May 1 with her husband, Lee Caoili, expecting a routine heart checkup, according to interviews her husband gave to local news outlets. Doctors instead found a Type A aortic dissection, a dangerous tear involving the portion of the aorta closest to the heart. She was rushed into an emergency operation that lasted about eight and a half hours. Her husband said doctors told the family the surgery was necessary to save her life.
The operation repaired the immediate threat, but serious complications followed during Caoili’s recovery. Her husband told ABC 10News that she lost blood flow to her hands and feet in the weeks after surgery. Doctors eventually amputated both arms below the elbows and both legs below the knees, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Caoili has remained under medical care for months as her family prepares for the next stage of her recovery.
A Type A aortic dissection is a medical emergency involving a tear in the upper part of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. The Cleveland Clinic says the condition can interfere with normal blood flow and can be fatal without quick treatment. Type A dissections generally require immediate surgery because of the risk of rupture and other severe complications. Caoili’s husband said doctors believed she had little time to spare when the condition was discovered.
Before the medical emergency, Caoili competed in strength sports in the San Diego area. Her husband described her as active and physically strong, and NBC 7 reported that she had recently placed second in a competition in Texas. The couple have two daughters. Lee Caoili has remained closely involved in his wife’s care throughout the hospital stay while also preparing their Spring Valley home for her return.
The family’s immediate challenge shifted from emergency medical treatment to accessibility as Caoili’s condition stabilized. ABC 10News reported in August that the house needed major work before she could safely return. Her husband sought help from carpenters, electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, flooring installers and painters to make the property better suited to her new mobility needs.
That appeal brought a significant response. On Sept. 4, NBC 7 reported that more than a dozen contractors gathered at the family’s home to perform renovation work without charging the Caoilis. General contractor Eric Aguilera told the station he learned about the family’s situation online and began seeking other tradespeople willing to help. The work was aimed at creating a more accessible home before Caoili eventually returns.
The latest reporting also indicates that Caoili’s recovery will continue beyond her hospital stay. Her husband told NBC 7 that the family was working to move her into inpatient care for rehabilitation and hoped she could eventually be fitted for prosthetic limbs. No firm date for her return home was reported.
Caoili’s case has drawn attention because the medical emergency was discovered when she was not expecting urgent treatment. Her husband told NBC 7 that she was feeling well enough on the day of the appointment that she nearly canceled it. The visit instead revealed a condition that required immediate intervention and began a months-long hospital recovery.
As of the latest public update, Caoili was continuing her recovery while contractors worked to prepare the family’s Spring Valley home. Her husband said the next steps include inpatient rehabilitation and evaluation for prosthetics as she works toward returning to her family.
Author note: Last updated September 10, 2026.