Patients Report Disfiguring Injuries from Cosmetic Surgery Chains

Recent investigations reveal troubling reports of severe, disfiguring injuries linked to cosmetic surgery chains across the United States. Patients like Erin Schaeffer, who underwent tummy tuck and liposuction procedures at the Jacksonville branch of Sono Bello, describe experiences of excruciating pain, infections, and lasting scars following elective cosmetic surgeries. Schaeffer’s case highlights concerns over the adequacy of training for surgeons employed by these chains, with her lawsuit accusing Sono Bello of using an inadequately trained obstetrician-gynecologist for her procedure. Despite company assertions of rigorous training programs, court records and patient testimonies indicate numerous malpractice lawsuits, some resulting in wrongful death claims, against these organizations. Investigations have found allegations of hiring underqualified physicians, neglecting postoperative complications, and employing high-pressure sales tactics that prioritize profit over patient safety. Additionally, the industry’s rapid growth—bolstered by private equity investment and extensive marketing—raises questions about regulatory oversight and patient protection. Patients with higher body mass indices, often deemed higher risk, are frequently targeted for procedures like AbEX tummy tucks, sometimes without sufficient risk assessment, leading to serious complications such as sepsis and internal bleeding. Many lawsuits point to inadequate informed consent, swift scheduling of surgeries, and aggressive marketing strategies encouraging quick decisions. Although some companies claim high patient satisfaction, the accumulation of malpractice cases and reports of injuries signal a pressing need for stricter oversight and comprehensive patient safety standards in the cosmetic surgery industry. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-cosmetic-surgeries-disfiguring-injuries-patients.html