Doctors Warn Patients to Research Cosmetic Surgery Providers Before Getting Work Done

Follow Drugslib on

By HealthDay Staff HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on March 12, 2026.

via HealthDay

THURSDAY, March 12, 2026 — A group representing thousands of U.S. plastic surgeons is urging patients to carefully research cosmetic procedures after an investigation raised safety concerns about some surgery chains.

The warning follows a joint investigation by KFF Health News and NBC News that looked into allegations of serious injuries and deaths tied to cosmetic surgeries.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which represents about 12,000 doctors, now advises patients to “do their homework” before procedures such as liposuction, Brazilian butt lifts or “Mommy Makeovers.”

“Plastic surgery is real surgery with real risks, and the risk of complications is never zero,” Dr. Scott Hollenbeck, the group’s immediate past president, told KFF.

The investigation also led to calls for more transparency when doctors face disciplinary investigations.

TJ Watkins, a member of California’s medical licensing board, said the public should be notified when doctors are being investigated.

“If you were really protecting the patients, there would be a notice right now that says this doctor is being investigated,” Watkins said.

One case highlighted in the KFF-NBC investigation involves California plastic surgeon Heidi Regenass. Malpractice lawsuits allege that three patients died within a few months after she performed liposuction and fat transfer procedures.

Regenass has denied negligence in court filings. One lawsuit was settled in 2024; two others are pending.

Separately, the California Medical Board filed a complaint Feb. 9 accusing Regenass of “repeated negligent acts” involving a 49-year-old woman who had liposuction and fat transfer surgery in 2022.

The board said the surgeon failed to document a proper exam and did not keep adequate records.

The investigation also highlighted the case of Tamala Smith, who died in 2023 after cosmetic surgery performed by Regenass. Smith’s daughter later filed a complaint with the California Medical Board seeking an investigation.

What's more, some lawsuits have accused cosmetic surgery companies of hiring poorly trained doctors as well as advertising that downplays safety risks.

The companies dispute those claims.

The industry has grown rapidly, with some cosmetic procedures costing up to $20,000.

Experts say patients should make sure their surgeon is board-certified and that procedures are performed in accredited medical facilities.

Sources

  • KFF Health News, March 11, 2026

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2026-03-13 01:48

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords