JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An attorney representing two clients announced malpractice lawsuits against Sono Bello, a cosmetic surgery center in Jacksonville.
According to Attorney Seth Pajcic with the Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic, two women who received surgical operations at the Southpoint location on Deerwood Park Boulevard suffered complications that led to the death of one and the permanent disfigurement of the other.
Erin Schaeffer, a Georgia native, and her husband, Jonathan Schaeffer, attended the Wednesday afternoon news conference.
Cynthia “Cindy” Burgess’s widower, Robert “Bob” Burgess, was also there to represent his late wife.
According to Pajcic, in the first case, Schaeffer lost around 100 pounds, and after some research, she turned to the center for skin removal surgery.
She had her first liposuction procedure in January 2024; she returned to the center for her second procedure in March, but did not receive anesthesia during the 4-hour procedure, Pajcic said. She was, however, given medicine before the procedure.
“I felt like I was being skinned alive,” Schaeffer said. “I begged him to stop. I wanted him to stop. The pain was excruciating.”
The surgeon, whom Pajcic said was not board-certified, continued the operation despite Schaeffer’s calls to stop.
A spokesperson for Sono Bello countered the that claim, saying “every Sono Bello physician is a board-certified or board-eligible surgeon.”
In April 2024, she returned to the office to address an infection she was suffering after the operation. She said the surgeon was “dismissive” and showed complete disregard for her concerns.
She went to a hospital to receive treatment, but was left with extreme scarring and disfigurement in her pelvic region and a “lack of trust in the medical profession,” Pajcic said.
“I went to look better, and I came out worse,” she said. “I wish I would have never done it.”
In Burgess’s case, her husband said she was a pre-diabetic patient and went to the center for a weight loss procedure to help with her condition.
She went for her 5-hour surgery on May 22 with a board-certified surgeon, but suffered complications afterward and went to the hospital.
“They did all they could, extensive wound care, extensive debridement. Unfortunately, due to the infection, she suffered complications of the infection, and she ultimately died of a pulmonary embolism on July 11 of 2025,” Pajcic said.
Burgess’s husband admitted he was hesitant for his wife to get the procedure.
“It’s been a rough few months,” he said. “A lot of pain. My family’s devastated by this. I’m in as much pain now as I was 73 days ago.”
Pajcic also pointed out that both surgeries were performed in an office setting, rather than at a hospital or surgery center.
In both cases, Pajcic accused Sono Bello of violating a Florida statute that regulates the amount of fat that can be removed during an operation.
In Schaeffer’s case, Pajcic said, they also added additional allegations of fraud and a claim under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
News4JAX reached out to Sono Bello about the lawsuits. A representative with the center said it is disputing the allegations.
“Every Sono Bello physician is a board-certified or board-eligible surgeon, extensively trained in the procedures we perform. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply false.
“All Sono Bello surgery centers are fully accredited, state-of-the-art facilities that meet or exceed every state-mandated standard. In Florida, that includes formal admitting agreements with local hospitals in the rare event that a patient requires additional care.
“To date, Sono Bello has helped more than 300,000 patients transform their lives. We have achieved this with a safety record that surpasses published benchmarks, and we take pride in the care and results we deliver.”
Spokesperson for Sono Bello
News4JAX also received a text exchange between the surgeon and Schaeffer from the company.
Erin Schaeffer [Jan. 23, 2024]:
Dr. [redacted], this is Erin Schaeffer sorry I missed your call!!!! I am doing great I gained some weight but I think it’s just fluid from swelling... I already see a little waist and am swollen so I am really excited!
Surgeon [Jan. 23, 2024]:
Nice I’m glad Thanks
Surgeon [May 1, 2024]:
This is [redacted] I was just reaching out to see how you are recovering from the wound infections and from our surgery in general. I have asked staff to reach out but we haven’t heard back and wanted to make sure you are doing ok Please let me know if there is anything we can help with and for follow up. Thanks
Surgeon [May 8, 2024]:
Hi Erin This is Dr. [redacted] I understand no one can get a hold of you Please just let me know if you are doing ok I will not be reaching back after this regardless if that’s what’s needed Please let me know if there is anything we can help with and for follow up.
Erin Schaeffer [May 9, 2024]:
I have received your Texts. I am going through a lot right now both physically and emotionally because of what happened to meand it is just a lot to deal with. Please do not contact me again.
Surgeon [May 9, 2024]:
Understand and will do. Thanks for reaching out.
The spokesperson for the surgical center said the exchange between Schaeffer and the surgeon shows the center’s attentiveness in addressing her concerns after the surgery.
Watch the entire news conference below. Viewer discretion is advised because of some graphic images.