Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice Lawsuits Against Sono Bello, Other Chains Are Growing: Report

At least 12 wrongful death complaints have been brought against cosmetic surgery chains over the past seven years, NBC News reports.

A growing number of medical malpractice lawsuits are being filed against national cosmetic surgery chains, raising concerns about the risks associated with privately owned aesthetic clinics that operate under aggressive business models.

In a joint investigation published on July 27, KFF Health News and NBC News report that chains like Sono Bello, Mia Aesthetics and Goals Aesthetics have been named in scores of lawsuits alleging surgical negligence, disfiguring injuries and at least 12 wrongful deaths over the past seven years. 

Cosmetic surgery has become a $22 billion industry in the U.S., offering everything from non-invasive treatments like wrinkle reduction and Botox to more intensive procedures such as tummy tucks and full-body liposuction. These services are typically paid out-of-pocket and promoted heavily on social media, attracting patients with promises of quick results and minimal recoveries.

Despite the marketing, many of these procedures cost more than $20,000, and are sometimes performed on high-risk patients, without adequate medical safeguards. The report warns that some cosmetic surgery chains employ undertrained doctors, lack hospital access for emergencies, and use high-pressure sales tactics, which are practices now fueling a growing wave of medical malpractice lawsuits that describe disfiguring and life-threatening complications experienced by patients, including a number of wrongful deaths.

The NBC News report reveals a troubling pattern at national cosmetic surgery chains like Sono Bello, Mia Aesthetics and Goals Aesthetics, which have faced a surge of malpractice lawsuits in recent years.

Often backed by private equity firms, these companies are accused of prioritizing aggressive marketing and profit-driven growth over patient safety. Among the most serious concerns are the use of undertrained doctors to perform high-risk procedures. In some cases, the report indicated that surgeons lacked formal plastic surgery credentials or hospital privileges, making it difficult to arrange emergency care when complications arose. 

One patient, Erin Schaeffer, suffered severe complications following a tummy tuck and liposuction at a Sono Bello clinic. Her doctor, an OB-GYN with no local hospital access, was unable to provide follow-up care when she developed an infection, according to the report. 

This case and others raise broader concerns about lax oversight, high-pressure sales consultations, and minimal interaction between patients and surgeons before cosmetic procedures. In many instances, patients reported meeting their doctor for the first time shortly before the surgery.

High-BMI patients appeared to be especially vulnerable. While these clinics often promote their procedures as safe for heavier individuals, court records describe numerous cases involving infections, sepsis, and other life-threatening complications. Internal documents show that surgeons may be paid more for treating higher-BMI patients, using a compensation model known as “surgical value units,” which critics say incentivizes riskier operations.

In addition to Sono Bello, other chains have been named in dozens of similar lawsuits. Mia Aesthetics and Goals Aesthetics face claims of negligence, disfigurement and wrongful death. However, many of these companies include arbitration clauses in their contracts, which shields them from public trials and limit the ability of patient to pursue recourse in open court.

Although several cosmetic surgery malpractice settlements have been reported, companies like Sono Bello often deny any wrongdoing as part of any agreements. Still, experts urge patients to do thorough research, ask direct questions about doctor qualifications and hospital access, and avoid rushing into procedures based on marketing promises alone.

Private Equity Health Concerns

Private equity’s growing role in healthcare is drawing increased scrutiny, with a 2024 Harvard study finding that patients face higher risks of injury or serious complications in hospitals owned by private equity firms.

Lawmakers raised similar concerns last year, highlighting the poor quality of care in emergency rooms managed by these kinds of organizations.

A U.S. Senate Budget Committee report released at the start of 2025, warned that private equity poses a major threat to the healthcare system. The report accused firms of prioritizing profits over patient care by acquiring hospitals, slashing costs, stripping services and equipment, and then reselling them for financial gain.