Cosmetic surgery is booming in the US, with patients shelling out thousands of dollars for liposuction, Brazilian butt lifts and other body-contouring procedures.
But the promise of the perfect look can come at a deadly cost.
An investigation by KFF Health News and NBC found that cosmetic surgery chains have faced scores of malpractice lawsuits in recent years — even as the doctors behind them often remain largely in the shadows.
Court records show that patients have accused these companies of hiring doctors with insufficient training or checkered histories and of using high-pressure sales tactics and misleading ads that downplay the dangers of cosmetic procedures.
The clinics dispute the allegations, winning some cases and quietly settling others.
Not every case stays a secret. Last year, a Georgia judge awarded $52 million to the family of a woman who died after liposuction and a Brazilian butt lift.
In another shocking case, a board-certified plastic surgeon in California saw three patients die within months of their liposuction and fat transfer procedures.
A complaint to the state’s medical board triggered an internal review of the doctor — who denies any negligence or that her actions caused the deaths — but the public won’t hear anything until the investigation concludes, which could take years.
“If you were really protecting the patients, there would be a notice right now that says this doctor is being investigated,” TJ Watkins, one of seven nonphysicians on the state medical board, told KFF Health News.
He is part of a growing chorus pushing for more transparency in the secretive process of disciplining doctors — a problem that isn’t limited to California.
Across the country, there is no federal database for patients to check a cosmetic surgery practice’s safety record, staffing standards or rates of serious complications. Complaints filed with state medical boards can remain hidden for years, leaving patients largely in the dark.
At the same time, demand for cosmetic procedures among Americans continues to rise.
In 2023, surgical procedures increased 5% and minimally invasive treatments grew 7%, bringing the total number of operations to nearly 1.6 million. Liposuction, breast augmentation and tummy tucks remained the most popular choices.
The market’s rapid growth has only made the oversight gap more urgent, with critics accusing regulators of failing to keep pace with the booming industry.
In response, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is urging consumers to “do their homework” before going under the knife.
“Plastic surgery is real surgery with real risks, and the risk of complications is never zero,” Dr. Scott Hollenbeck, immediate past president of the industry group, told KFF Health News.
Christopher Nuland, an attorney and lobbyist for the Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, said the “Body Shops” investigation “underscores the need for vigilance from all parties.”
“There is an opportunity for better legislation, such as regulating post-surgical recovery centers and better enforcement of existing laws,” he said.
“But patients need to take an active part by ensuring that they are seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility and that neither has a history of bad outcomes.”
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