Q&A: What are the dangers of the ‘lunchtime lipo’ procedures marketed online?

January 14, 2026
illustration of a female portrait with surgical lines drawn on and scissors all around the photo.

Physicians advise caution when evaluating med-spas offering quick, cheap cosmetic procedures. (Illustration by Tobias Wilbur, University Communications)

Increasing social media ads for “lunchtime liposuction” and other quick cosmetic surgeries are flooding timelines, but increasing complications like the death of  are raising alarms about unregulated and potentially unsafe procedures.

Dr. Scott Hollenbeck chairs UVA Health’s Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and specializes in breast reconstruction following cancer treatment.

The immediate past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Hollenbeck discussed with UVA Today the trend of cosmetic surgery chains marketing risky procedures.

Dr. Scott Hollenbeck

UVA physician Dr. Scott Hollenbeck said when it comes to social media marketing, quick procedure deals that seem too good to be true usually are. (Contributed photo)

Q. What is the issue you are seeing?

A. People are being attracted to get surgery at places advertising discounts that are really too good to be true, and having negative outcomes. These places, broadly categorized as “med-spas,” are not highly regulated, so some may be good, but others are not.

Some of these facilities have people practicing within them who may have very strong or weak and limited credentials, and it’s sometimes hard for the consumer to know the quality of the credentials or the training of the individuals providing those services.

Additionally, it’s hard for the consumer to know the quality of the materials that they may be getting. There have been stories about counterfeit injectables or injectables handled in non-sterile ways, causing infections and surgical complications. We’ve seen patients having surgeries performed awake, most commonly awake liposuction.

Now, there are circumstances where that can be fine, but there are more stories of people suffering traumatic and painful experiences. Difficulty with surgery can  happen even in the best environments, but the reports of med-spa related problems seem to be on the rise. In part because these facilities are popping up everywhere.

Q. What should people interested in safe procedures look for?

A. The No. 1 thing is to always have an opportunity to meet the person who’s going to do your treatment and be able to review their credentials and training. Most importantly be able to ask questions and have a discussion. This process is called informed consent, and you should always have the opportunity to think about what you have been told and possibly back out without being pressured. You should never pay for the procedure without going through this process or meeting your plastic surgeon. 

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A marketing agent or a facilitator is not thinking this way. They are thinking about converting you into a potential client. 

When you’re getting any kind of product or material injected, like filler or a neurotoxin, you should see the package that the material is delivered in, and it should be a new package. It shouldn’t be an unlabeled package or sitting in an old syringe. It should be coming out of a medical package unwrapped, just like a new medication, because that’s what you’ve paid for. This will reduce the chances of getting a counterfeit or contaminated product. 

Q. What are important questions to ask providers?

A. You should ask whether they perform these procedures frequently and if they feel you are “a good candidate for the procedure.” What do they think are realistic expectations of the outcome?  

Another big point is to make sure you’re clear about is the post-operative care, especially for surgical procedures. You want to make sure you have good follow-up care and somebody available to take care of problems that may arise, and not to be told to follow up with a primary care doctor or the emergency room. Ask the providers if they have credentials at a nearby hospital if a problem should arise; nearly all reputable surgeons will have hospital credentials. Finally, you should check with your state medical board and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to confirm your surgeons qualifications. 

Q. Anything else that’s important to keep in mind?

A. Often, what feels like a deal that is too good to be true is too good to be true. I would encourage people to place more emphasis on getting somebody who’s well-qualified and well-trained in a good facility and get the information they need to feel comfortable.

Ask other patients who have been there and read online reviews, not just social media advertising by the facility. What may feel like a good deal up front can have long-term, significant consequences that can impact your life for a long time. It’s just simply not worth your health.

Media Contacts

Zeina Mohammed

University News Associate University Communications

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