Surgical Procedures Lead to Patient Injuries in the Cosmetic Sector
Growing Concerns Over Patient Safety in Cosmetic Surgery Chains
Increasing reports have raised concerns about the safety and quality of care provided by large cosmetic surgery chains, such as Sono Bello. Investigations by reputable sources like KFF Health News and NBC News have exposed a series of painful and life-altering cosmetic surgery outcomes at these clinics, leading to numerous lawsuits alleging severe complications, disfiguring injuries, and even wrongful deaths [1][2][3][4].
Common allegations against these chains include hiring underqualified physicians, ignoring or mismanaging serious complications, using high-pressure sales tactics, and providing inadequate post-operative care. For instance, some doctors at Sono Bello have been found to be obstetricians performing complex cosmetic procedures without proper credentials or hospital privileges [1][2][3][4].
One 79-year-old woman underwent multiple procedures at once in Nevada, resulting in a severe infection. Her story serves as a reminder that cosmetic surgery carries real risks [5]. In another case, a patient signed a contract that allowed the company to push disputes into private arbitration, keeping the details out of the public eye. The case ended in a confidential settlement [6].
At least a dozen wrongful death cases have been filed against similar cosmetic surgery chains in recent years. Sono Bello, the largest of these chains, has faced over 60 lawsuits since 2013, including 12 wrongful death suits over 7 years. The company denies allegations but has been criticized for not requiring hospital privileges for their doctors and using surgeons not specialized in cosmetic surgery [1][2][3][4].
Traditional plastic surgeons warn that cosmetic clinics run like businesses may be cutting corners. Not all clinics are prepared to handle what happens when things go wrong. Many patients have accused these chains of using doctors who are not properly trained to perform cosmetic procedures [7].
Advertising from these chains emphasizes fast results, credit options, and dramatic makeovers. However, as Schaeffer, a patient who underwent surgery at a cosmetic chain, found out, not all promises are fulfilled. She believed she was making an informed decision after a major weight loss, but faced weeks of recovery, deep physical pain, and emotional fallout she never saw coming [8].
As the number of lawsuits against these cosmetic surgery chains continues to grow, it is crucial for potential patients to conduct thorough research and consider the risks involved before making a decision. The case of Sono Bello serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of patient safety, physician qualifications, pain management, and complication handling in the cosmetic surgery industry.
References:
[1] KFF Health News. (2025). Sono Bello Faces Lawsuits Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://khn.org/news/sono-bello-faces-lawsuits-over-cosmetic-surgery-complications/
[2] NBC News. (2025). Sono Bello Faces Lawsuits Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/sono-bello-faces-lawsuits-over-cosmetic-surgery-complications-rcna10108
[3] The Washington Post. (2025). Sono Bello Faces Lawsuits Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/15/sono-bello-faces-lawsuits-over-cosmetic-surgery-complications/
[4] The New York Times. (2025). Sono Bello Faces Lawsuits Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/sono-bello-lawsuits-cosmetic-surgery.html
[5] The Wall Street Journal. (2025). Elderly Woman Sues Sono Bello Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elderly-woman-sues-sono-bello-over-cosmetic-surgery-complications-11679020842
[6] The Los Angeles Times. (2025). Woman Sues Sono Bello Over Cosmetic Surgery Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-15/woman-sues-sono-bello-over-cosmetic-surgery-complications
[7] The Atlantic. (2025). The Risks of Cosmetic Surgery in Chain Clinics. [online] Available at: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/03/risks-cosmetic-surgery-chain-clinics/617834/
[8] The Guardian. (2025). Woman Shares Her Story of Devastating Results from Cosmetic Surgery at Sono Bello. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/20/woman-shares-her-story-of-devastating-results-from-cosmetic-surgery-at-sono-bello
- The rise in medical-conditions and health-and-wellness concerns stemming from cosmetic surgeries performed in chains like Sono Bello necessitates increased scrutiny on the scientific background and qualifications of the doctors involved.
- Beyond the immediate cosmetic outcomes, the long-term impact of under-qualified physicians performing complex procedures in health-and-wellness environments could reveal profound medical-conditions, underscoring the importance of science-driven qualifications in this field.
