After Outpatient Cosmetic Surgery, They Wound Up in the H...

What’s Happening

Listen up: Some patients who had liposuction or other surgeries later required emergency hospital care — and some died, court records show.

The Body Shops After Outpatient Cosmetic Surgery, They Wound Up in the Hospital or Alone at a Recovery House By Fred Schulte Republish This Story (E+/) Lisa Farris worried that a nasty infection from recent liposuction and a tummy tuck was rapidly getting worse. So she phoned the cosmetic surgery center to ask if she should head to the emergency room, she alleges in a lawsuit. (yes, really)

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The Details

Investigation The Body Shops KFF Health News and NBC News investigate disfiguring injuries and deaths allegedly tied to cosmetic procedures such as “Mommy Makeovers” and liposuction. Cosmetic surgery chains, some owned groups, have been the target of scores of medical malpractice and negligence lawsuits over the past seven years.

The nurse who took the call at the Sono Bello center in Addison, Texas, told her she “absolutely should not” go to the ER — even though Farris “had a large gush of foul fluid” leaking from the incision, according to records in the malpractice case she filed against the cosmetic surgery chain in 2024. The nurse told Farris she “only needed to reinforce her dressing to collect the fluid drainage and give it time,” filings in the lawsuit alleged.

Why This Matters

Farris did go to the ER where she was diagnosed with sepsis from her surgery complications,” a medical expert for her legal team wrote in a court filing. Left untreated, sepsis can lead to death. Sono Bello officials declined to discuss malpractice cases filed against the company, citing patient privacy laws.

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Key Takeaways

• But in court filings, the company has disputed Farris’ claims.
• The case is set for trial early next year.

The Bottom Line

But in court filings, the company has disputed Farris’ claims. The case is set for trial early next year.

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