Cosmetic Surgeries Led To Disfiguring Injuries, Patients Allege

Erin Schaeffer suffered severe complications following a tummy tuck and liposuction at Sono Bello's Jacksonville branch, waking up days later with fluid leaking from an open stomach wound and requiring a week-long hospitalization for infection. More than a year later, she retains scars and has filed a lawsuit against Sono Bello and the doctor, Manuel Herrera (a board-certified OB-GYN), alleging he was inadequately trained to perform the procedure, causing excruciating pain. Schaeffer described feeling "skinned alive." Sono Bello and Herrera denied the allegations in court, with Sono Bello's regional medical director stating surgeons undergo "very rigorous training."

Sono Bello, the largest US cosmetic surgery chain backed by private equity, competes in the growing body-contouring market (estimated over $22 billion in 2024). It offers expensive procedures like "Mommy Makeovers" and liposuction, costing up to $20,000 out-of-pocket, often financed through high-interest credit. The company markets itself as "America’s top cosmetic surgery specialist."

A joint investigation revealed Sono Bello and similar chains face numerous medical malpractice and negligence lawsuits, including 12 wrongful death cases in the past seven years. Court records show injured patients accuse the chains of hiring doctors with minimal cosmetic surgery training, failing to recognize and treat life-threatening complications (like infections), and employing high-pressure sales tactics that downplayed risks. The companies deny these allegations. Legal representatives criticize the industry for downplaying risks versus reality.

Sono Bello's medical director countered, stating the company's mission is to help patients "live their best lives now" through "life-changing transformations." However, court records also indicate doctors performing these surgeries are sometimes paid more for operating on patients with high body mass, despite obesity increasing complication risks. Furthermore, the industry faces minimal regulatory oversight, with no centralized database tracking cosmetic surgery complaints comparable to the FDA's system for drugs and devices.