Doctors with problematic histories are performing risky cosmetic surgeries, putting patient lives in jeopardy.
Story Highlights
- Over 200 lawsuits filed against multistate cosmetic surgery firms.
- Doctors with revoked or suspended licenses continue to operate.
- Severe patient injuries include foreign objects left post-surgery.
- Regulatory oversight struggles to keep pace with industry growth.
Systemic Failures in Cosmetic Surgery Oversight
In recent years, the cosmetic surgery industry has burgeoned, yet this growth has been marred by significant oversight failures. Companies like Goals Cosmetic Surgery have hired doctors with problematic histories, including expired licenses and disciplinary actions, to perform complex procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and liposuction. This trend has led to a surge in patient injuries and over 200 lawsuits, highlighting failures in regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable patients.
These multistate companies prioritize rapid expansion over patient safety, exploiting regulatory loopholes. Doctors like Dr. Driscoll, whose license was suspended for misconduct, and Dr. Hsu, facing multiple malpractice suits, continue to practice across state lines, evading comprehensive oversight. The lack of stringent credentialing processes allows them to perform high-risk procedures, resulting in grave patient harm.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Regulatory bodies have been slow to respond to these challenges. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners only recently suspended Dr. Driscoll’s license, while California took action against Dr. Hsu after multiple patient deaths. Despite these actions, companies like Goals Cosmetic Surgery have aggressively fought back, filing motions to dismiss lawsuits and compelling arbitration, illustrating a corporate strategy to mitigate legal exposure.
The industry’s multistate nature complicates regulatory coordination, allowing substandard practitioners to operate with impunity. This scenario has left patients exposed to significant risks, with cases of foreign objects being left inside patients post-surgery, chronic pain, and other severe complications becoming alarmingly common.
Doctors With Troubled Pasts Are Performing Cosmetic Surgeries Tied to Crippling Pain and Injury https://t.co/kciUpUg7pc
— Frank Herd (@frankherdj) October 1, 2025
Implications for Patient Safety and Industry Reform
These incidents underscore the urgent need for reform within the cosmetic surgery industry. Medical experts classify the retention of foreign objects in patients as a “never event,” a grave error that should be entirely preventable with proper protocols. The repeated failure to prevent such events indicates systemic negligence and the dire need for stronger regulations and oversight.
Without immediate intervention and enhanced regulatory measures, the industry risks further eroding public trust and compromising patient safety. Strengthening credentialing processes and ensuring cross-state regulatory consistency are crucial steps toward safeguarding patients and restoring integrity in cosmetic surgery practices.
Sources:
Doctors With Troubled Pasts Are Performing Cosmetic Surgeries Tied to Crippling Pain and Injury
