Sono Bello (A.K.A Laser Liposuction) Review
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By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Sep 24, 2024 |
- An effective way to get rid of fat.
- Little time to recover.
- More than 60 places in the US.
- It might work better than CoolSculpting.
- A healthy lifestyle could have effects that last for a long time.
Sono Bello is a Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Center, marketing itself as #1 in all of America. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sono Bello locations are nationwide but sparse, with 40 total clinics in just 21 of the 50 states. They market laser liposuction, facelifts, and cellulite treatments, the most popular procedures being TriSculpt and Lift, which we’ll highlight today.
Company’s Track Record
Dr. Tom Garrison was the inspiration of Sono Bello. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is where he received his medical degree. Later, he worked for the US Air Force as a flight surgeon for five years.
After his service, Dr. Garrison continued to work for Intermountain Healthcare for another 20 years as an emergency physician. He founded Laser Aesthetics LLC in 1998, followed by Aesthetics Physicians PC in 2008.
The Better Business Bureau has given Sono Bello an A+ rating and accreditation. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. has also granted them accreditation. Over the past three years, the BBB has recorded more than 300 closed complaints, with 105 of those complaints occurring in the previous 12 months, which are often highlighted in Sono Bello Abex reviews.
back to menu ↑Sono Bello Claims
Many Sonobello reviews highlight their claim to be the top cosmetic surgery provider in America, but so do non-anesthetic techniques like Venus Legacy. According to the business, certain methods can reduce fat in as little as one day while also stimulating collagen for youthful skin. Aesthetic dermatology “plays a crucial role in prevention, regeneration, and postponing skin aging,” according to the journal Dermatoendocrinology. However, it is worth mentioning that there are other solutions that have been reviewed and rated higher in terms of efficacy and safety.
Overall, Sono Bello makes many promises about how to contour the physique and decrease fat. The business advertises a variety of services for people who want to get rid of fat in particular areas of their bodies on their official website. These reviews of Sono Bello often focus on whether the results truly match their marketing promises. A few of these are:
- Laser Fat Removal
- Mommy Makeover
- Mini Mommy Makeover
- Excess Skin Removal
- Chin Fat Removal
- Tummy Tuck Alternative
- Targeted Body Contouring
- Male Chest Reduction
- Cellulite Reduction
Sono Bello says it can assist people in changing their bodies on a budget by offering a variety of solutions following consultation.
back to menu ↑Available Procedures
Most procedures are done with either general anesthesia or just a little bit of sedation from a pill.
Liposuction is thought to be a good way to slim down, change the shape of, and get rid of fat deposits in the body. Nonetheless, if you are looking to increase your metabolism even further and achieve quicker results, there are supplements that have shown to be highly effective. See this link for a review of the top metabolism-boosting supplements.
Most procedures are done with either general anesthesia or just a little bit of sedation from a pill. Doctors have to make small cuts in the body’s tissues and use thin needles called microcannulas to remove fat cells from the body.
It’s important to remember that liposuction treatments aren’t a cure for obesity or a quick way to lose weight. Sono Bello says that the procedure should be seen as a way to get rid of fat deposits that are hard to get rid of with diet and exercise alone.
They say that dieting only makes fat cells smaller, but liposuction gets rid of fat cells completely.
Most Sono Bello centers offer three procedures that are less invasive than traditional liposuction:
- TriSculpt Laser Liposuction
- Venus Freeze
- AbEX
These procedures can be used to treat the chest, chin, waist, abs, arms, back, and legs, among other places.
TriSculp Laser Liposuction
This three-step procedure to get rid of fat is Sono Bello’s most popular. It uses “stay-awake localized anesthesia, power-assisted liposuction, and micro-laser assisted liposuction.”
Many sono bello reviews before and after focus on how the procedure helps reshape the body’s natural shape and is the best way to get rid of fat pockets on your stomach, waist, arms, and legs.
You’ll stay awake during the procedure, and only the areas that are being worked on will be numbed. During treatment, a doctor uses microcannulas to remove unwanted fat from large areas and a different microcannula with a low-power laser to break down fat in smaller areas like your upper arms and under your chin.
While TriSculpt Laser Liposuction is favored by many, it is important to consider that there are alternative laser liposuction procedures that have shown better results with lesser downtime. Check this link to see the top-rated alternatives.
Venus Freeze
Using a combination of radiofrequency and magnetic pulses, this non-surgical method is meant to reduce the look of cellulite.
The Venus Freeze should not hurt, and all it will do to your skin is feel like a gentle massage. Sono Bello says that in as few as five sessions, you will have a slimmer and smoother body.
A Sono Bello provider starts the treatment by putting a soft gel on the area of concern and moving a Venus applicator over the gel in smooth motions to tighten the skin and get rid of cellulite.
The treatment is said to make new collagen and elastin fibers, which will make your skin more flexible over time.
Before going for Venus Freeze, it is recommended to also explore other treatments which might offer even better results. See this link for a guide on alternative weight loss treatments.
AbEX
The main goal of this procedure is to get rid of extra skin, especially around the lower abdomen, and is frequently reviewed alongside TriSculpt in various sonobello review pages. It’s marketed as the best way to tone up your body, especially when combined with liposuction to get rid of extra fat.
back to menu ↑How Do Sono Bello Procedures Work?
Sono Bello TriSculpt Laser Liposuction procedure highlights.
TriSculpt focuses on body areas rather than the face: thighs, belly, chest, legs, etc. Each area of treatment involves three steps:
- Localized Awake Anesthesia: “Patients remain awake throughout the procedure, receiving local anesthesia in the areas of treatment. This allows the patient to communicate with the physician throughout the procedure.”
- Power-Assisted Liposuction: “Our physicians use power-assisted technologies with microcannulas and gentle suction to effectively remove the majority of unwanted fat, especially in large body areas.”
- Micro-Laser Assisted Liposuction: “Special laser-assisted equipment is used for the finishing touches.”
Sono Bello calls it “body contouring,” which apparently sounds less harsh than “liposuction.”
back to menu ↑Sono Bello Pros and Cons
I’m going to label these as potential Pros, simply because on the surface, they look great.
- The Local Awake Anesthesia can be comforting to patients, and less “scary.”
- Pricing options on the website give potential customers a ballpark figure to work with.
But the latter of those Pros takes a hit with a big Con. And there are numerous others.
- Sales and Clinic Staff are clearly on two different pages, if not planets. And it may well be that way by design: the classic bait-and-switch. I lost count of the number of reviewers who said they were told the $1395-per-area TriSculpt price by the sales rep only to be charged twice that when they got to the clinic.
And it doesn’t stop there:
I would tell anyone and everyone I know not to go to Sonobello review. There is such a lack of communication between the Salespeople and the staff at the clinic. I was told the procedure would be 1395.00 for each area of the body. The cost was twice that, $2695.00 and the salesperson told me I had a credit line that was such I would have to put down $4000.00 in order to finance the rest. Stupidly I agreed to this. Then I was told the fee for backing out of a procedure was $950.00. She had the bill at a whopping $12,000.00.
back to menu ↑Sono Bello Cost
Sonobello cost reviews highlight that the pricing often starts at $1,349 per area, with a minimum of three areas needing to be treated ($4,047 total). Venus Freeze costs $2,995 at the beginning.
The exact cost of your procedure will depend on the location of the clinic, the area and amount of your body you want them to treat, whether you choose to pay for it over time or all at once, and your BMI at the start. However, reviews for Sonobello frequently mention pricing inconsistencies between consultations and final costs, a concern echoed in customer Sonobello reviews.
Notice that the company isn’t clear about what a “area” is. When I asked customer service for more information, I was told that this was a question that could only be answered during my “free, in-person consultation” with my consultant.
After getting nowhere with customer service, we looked at customer reviews of Sono Bello from around the web to see what people were paying.
Some people said that they paid:
- Outer thigh surgery costs $3,000
- Two sessions of fat removal from the back and stomach cost $12,000
- Liposuction on the whole body costs $13,500
- $4,000 to get the skin off their stomachs
- $6000 for liposuction of the back and midsection
As this range of prices shows, it’s hard to know how much your treatment will cost by looking at how much it cost in the past, because each person’s situation is different. The best way to get an idea of how much something will cost is to call your preferred treatment location and ask for a price quote over the phone or set up a free consultation.
Possible ways to pay
Sono Bello has many ways to pay for your treatment, including plans where you won’t have to pay any interest if you pay off the full amount in six or twelve months. They also say that they offer financing through Care Credit, which is a medical credit card with different financing options based on how much the procedure costs and how long it takes to pay it off.
As with any medical procedure, you’ll want to make sure you fully understand how much your treatment will cost before you agree to it. Read the fine print and ask a lot of questions during your consultation so you know what you’re getting into.
How does the cost of Sono Bello compare to that of other cosmetic procedures?
The average cost of liposuction in 2017 was $3,374, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, the price of the procedure can vary based on where it is done and who does it. That’s likely less than what you’d pay on average at Sono Bello.
But these prices can be misleading. Dr. Samuel Lin, a plastic surgeon, said that the average fee is only a small part of the total cost. It doesn’t cover the costs of anesthesia, the operating room, or any other related costs.”
This is why, before agreeing to a procedure, you should make sure you know exactly what is being treated and what you can expect to happen.
back to menu ↑Are Results Permanent?
Dr. Charlie Chen, a plastic surgeon in New York, says that the effects of liposuction can last for a long time. But it’s not possible to get rid of every fat cell in the area. So, if the person gains weight, the area where the liposuction was done may also get bigger.”
Dr. Bernard Beldholm, a specialist surgeon, says that any fat you gain back after liposuction will look a little different than it did before the surgery.
“If the person gains weight, the fat cells that are still there will grow, but the patient will stay the same size,” he said. “For example, if liposuction was done on the “hip area” of saddlebags and the person gains weight, the legs and body will get bigger, but the saddlebags won’t come back.”
back to menu ↑Best Applicants
Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani, a plastic surgeon in Manhattan, said that liposuction is used to get rid of unwanted pockets of fat that tend to build up in places where diet and exercise don’t help. He said that these pockets often form on the lower abdomen, upper thighs, jowls, and other parts of the body.
“Liposuction gets rid of these pockets of fat and makes the shape of the body slimmer,” Dr. Shridharani said. “Good candidates are those whose skin still has a lot of elasticity, so that once the fat is taken away, the skin can tighten to fit the new shape.”
Liposuction is not the right choice for everyone. Dr. Shridharani says that people with sagging, stretched, or loose skin should not get this done.
“Liposuction alone is not the best procedure because it will leave an area of loose, sagging skin even if there is no fat underneath,” Dr. Shridharani said. “In these situations, procedures like a tummy tuck that get rid of extra skin are better.”
Dr. Chen also told us that people who want to be his patients should be in good health, have no major health problems in their past, and be within 30 pounds of their ideal body weight. Also, it’s best not to smoke.
back to menu ↑Recovery Time
Most Sono Bello patients, according to the business, resume work within a week of therapy, and within four to six weeks, they are cleared for strenuous exercise.
According to Dr. Shridharani, most patients can go back to work in just two or three days unless they have many locations treated; in that case, they could need a week off. She also noted that scarring “will be almost imperceptible.”
Dr. Shridharani advised starting light exercise again after two weeks, intense cardio after three to four weeks, and strength training usually after five to six weeks.
back to menu ↑Side Effects and Safety
These are some of the possible Sono Bello procedure side effects
Sono Bello carries some inherent dangers, like any surgical treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, you might feel some light bleeding right away or get an infection where the incision was made.
Procedures that don’t heal properly can also result in noticeable scarring from the treated skin peeling away from healthy skin, and some patients may develop nerve damage that causes numbness and tingling that is either permanent or temporary.
Previous customer feedback reveals that some patients felt pain because they weren’t provided general anesthetic during the treatment. Others claimed infections brought on by painful, slow-healing incisions.
Being left with physical irregularities, such as worn, bumpy skin, or fat bulges as a result of uneven fat removal or subpar healing, is one of the most frequent adverse effects.
If your surgeon is operating on a broad region and you don’t follow the advised safety precautions during the healing phases, your risk of complications like this increases.
These unpleasant incidents, nevertheless, seem to be the exception rather than the rule. The majority of patients who use Sono Bello treatments don’t experience unpleasant side effects.
back to menu ↑Review of Customer Feedback
Weak and strong customer feedback areas.
Sono Bello has received more than 200 reviews on our website, with an aggregate rating of 3.4 stars. Here is a list of the main conclusions:
Shady sales techniques
Many Sono Bello clients weren’t pleased with the sales techniques employed to get them to subscribe to the service. Many consumers said that they experienced a “bait and switch” in which they were given a price at their initial consultation but were then charged extra when the procedure was actually performed.
Positive improvements
The outcomes of their surgery pleased many Sono Bello patients. They reported dealing with quick, painless recoveries and experiencing immediate, substantial progress.
Many claimed that the process improved areas that they weren’t able to change with exercise and that friends and family saw the change right away.
Sales representatives whom were helpful
The company’s sales representatives were extremely popular with the clients. They claimed that before committing, the customer support staff spent a significant amount of time clearly outlining their treatment alternatives and assuring them that they had no additional queries or worries.
Results that were inadequate
Many Sono Bello users weren’t satisfied with the outcomes of their surgery. We read testimonials from people who felt that more than six months after their procedure, their bodies were still not completely healed and that their skin still appeared deformed.
back to menu ↑Sono Bello vs. CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting guarantees to eliminate unwanted fat using a quick, affordable process. Cryolipolysis is a technique used in the procedure to freeze fat cells, causing them to die and be eliminated by your body.
Although the procedure isn’t intended to help you lose weight as quickly as liposuction, it does result in focused fat removal. Instead, you might see up to 20% less fat in the treatment region after only one session, but it might take a few months for your body to eliminate the fat cells before you see any noticeable changes.
A few factors become obvious when you contrast Sono Bello’s procedures with CoolSculpting. First off, because there is no need for anesthetic, there is no need for an incision, and recovery time is typically short, CoolSculpting is seen as a reduced risk surgery.
The fact that this frequently yields subtle results is one downside. A common criticism of CoolSculpting is that it takes a while for benefits to show, and they are often subtle.
When compared to other methods of cosmetic weight loss, CoolSculpting is typically less expensive; you should expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 for the procedure.
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line: Is Sono Bello a Rip-Off or Worth a Try?
If you’re thinking about having a procedure from Sono Bello, you need to be honest with yourself about what to expect. Remember that there are hazards associated and that patient results can vary.
The lack of pricing clarity at Sono Bello is alarming. Only by participating in an in-person session will you probably be able to obtain an exact cost estimate.
Before making a deposit at Sono Bello, carefully weigh your alternatives as all deposits are non-refundable. We advise you to leave the office and consider your alternatives for a full day before moving forward. It is worth considering that there are other products that might offer flexible payment options and clearer pricing structures. Research and comparisons are vital.
Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery, even relatively non-invasive procedures like those Sono Bello provides. It’s important to assess your own health and circumstances and maybe even get a second opinion from another doctor before making a decision for better alternatives. If you fulfill any of the following descriptions, you will most likely benefit:
- You are aware that liposuction from Sono Bello is intended to minimize the look of fat in difficult-to-tone regions rather than for rapid weight loss.
- You are only 30 pounds away from your ideal weight but find it difficult to achieve it with food and exercise alone.
- To sustain your results, you are prepared to commit to a healthy diet and exercise program.
- You are aware that a non-refundable deposit will be required and that your treatment will probably cost at least $4,000.
- You are aware that there is a chance of potentially long-lasting problems with any cosmetic operation.
- Ensure that you are well-informed about all the risks and have a thorough understanding of what the procedure entails. You might also want to look into alternative treatments that are less invasive and carry fewer risks.
A little over a year ago, I went in hoping to change my life. I spoke to a rep, and I was excited and ready to go. While speaking with the rep, I told her that I was moving out of town but wanted it done at that time. I had a week in between so I was told I could make my follow up appointment for the city I was moving to. So everything was set. Wrong! I get there, and I told the receptionist this and she left whispering but never came back to tell me anything. I am taken in the back to get undressed, I’m sitting there and the doctor, and office manager come in to tell me I can’t get the procedure done because I need to have my follow up with the physician at that facility! I was pissed because I specifically told the rep this and it was fine when they took my money! I was given the option to just have it done in the new city. I declined. There was a reason I wanted it done at that time, and I couldn’t do it afterwards because of a new job. I was beyond angry, and I didn’t want to deal with them ever again! But they kept $1000! For the doctor! I, as you can tell, am still very perturbed about that. I feel that they tricked me, and took my money. That rep knew that. Side note: I am a RN who knows how to take care of an incision, and myself.
Sounds like the same experience I had with ‘Lifestyle Facelift’. It was the worst experience of my life! While I was awake I could feel the pressure and pulling, heard the cutting and smelled burning skin. I was horrified!! The scarring left behind my ears are horrible. I went to a plastic surgeon after and she said she would have to operate to remove the scarring. In the end, ‘Lifestyle Facelift’ was run out of business by complaints and even a death. If you want any work done, PLEASE, go to plastic surgeon.
That’s awful about Lifestyle Facelift. I’d see their commercials late in the night…i’d dream of never wanting to wear a turtle neck sweater again and thought of using their services. Knowing very well it’s an expensive procedure I never moved forward on it and always wondered about reviews. Thanks for posting yours.
Your tv commercial is not very good,not the same person before and after. One person is light brown skin then darker skin..what’s up with that.
I’m so glad I found and read this information – I was really sold by Sono Bello’s T.V. commercial. That’s actually what I was looking up but read this first – Thank God and thank the good people who expose companies like this.
Scammer company!
Consumer be ware
This company should be shut down
I went to Sono Bello
In November 2018
With the hopes of being safely
Being protected and getting the healthcare and end result I wanted
Was hopeful that I would get my end result.
I was pressured by Julie and all the staff at the Schaumburg Illinois location to pay up before procedure
I paid in full, cash
The worse mistake
Later, I suffered from extremely high BP , the day of my lyposuction procedure
The surgeon himself said
He didn’t feel comfortable
Going ahead with the lyposuction
And said for me to get ER attention immediately after leaving the Schaumburg
Facility
Which I did
Turns out that I was not in physical condition to be healthy enough to undergo surgery
It was November 2018
It’s now August 2019
And Sono Bello has not
Refunded me for lyposuction
I had not undergone
Better business bureau and
FTC should shut them down !
After reading all of these negative reviews, I felt I should share an extremely positive experience with Sono Bello. I went to the Edina, Minnesota location. The staff was very friendly (yes, there was some pressure to sign up the day of my consultation, but no worse than walking into a retail store and being pressured to buy a pair of jeans). The day of my procedure, liposuction on upper and lower abdomen, sides and back I was fully briefed on what to expect. My expectations from this surgery were realistic. I told the doctor I wanted to be able to wear a shirt and not have it roll up on me. He achieved this and more. Even though I was still overweight I did not have the muffin top and I looked far better in my clothes then I had in years. This motivated me to continue to get into shape and now 2 years after surgery I have lost 60 pounds and from going to the gym my body is better toned. I was grateful that the staff emphasized that the procedure was not a weight loss magic treatment, but a tool to help me achieve my goals. My doctor was fantastic! He listened to me and and realistically told me what he could do for me. I am now considering having the LIft procedure done and will request the same doctor. With all that said, I think it is important to state that I was in excellent health when the procedure was done. I healed quickly (not the 3 days they claim, was more like 7) and yes, there was some major discomfort the first 2 days. Would I recommend for a friend? In a heart beat!!
Was referred to sono bello by a friend at the Westchester NY location. I paid for upper, lower liposuction and the ex skin removal and Dr.Lao did an amazing job. The procedure was a little bit painful but worth it. I’m satisfied with my results.
I recently had liposuction on my outer and inner thighs and knees. I immediately knew that, despite the staff telling me I’d have to wait 6 months to see full results, I saw no improvement or results. The awake procedure was horribly painful. The numbing didn’t take in my left leg so I felt everything. My legs were terribly bruised even though I followed their instructions precisely. The sales consult was very pushy although I tolerated it because I desperately wanted to fix a problem I’ve had most of my life, perhaps that emotion was played upon. All in all, I’m extremely dissatisfied with a very expensive procedure. If I could offer any advice it would be don’t do it, it’s absolutely not worth the huge expense.
im having done but im reading the reviews im wondering if they would give me my payment back but if they don’t im going ahead with it I will be back and let u know if im satisfied
Show Original Message
Liz Creazzola
Tue, May 5 at 12:36 PM
Good evening , I have sent picture of my disfigurement,, I’m not satisfied of my results, I haven’t reach out to cooperate yet, I have been mislead with the information, the time of the procedure, experience, tremendous pain ,Dr.Taylor did not give the medication time to kick in I felt all of the pain and also to take off work for the healing process to end up now with disfigurement, unacceptable, this is something I dont want to ever experience again, and don’t let me get on sonobello communication skills, pathetic, this need to be rectified immediately, These charges need to be removed.??
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
I’m happy I read these reviews.. I wish I would of prior to my experience.. I waited for weeks for my appointment.. I was sent a confirmation for my appointment.. I missed a day of work.. then 4 hrs. Prior to my appointment I received a call my appointment was canceled.. After reading these reviews.. I’m now HAPPY my appointment was canceled.. If this professional office can’t even schedule their appointments.. And it was ok I missed a day of work… NOT THEIR PROBLEM or CONCERN… I’m happy to find out NOW this company isn’t somewhere I would TRUST to do cosmetic surgery
This review is about the Woburn Sono Bello. Due to COVID, I had a phone consultation almost two months ago. I had told the consultant I had a blood disorder. From there, I had my pre-op and surgery booked. Twice I spoke to a nurse (Cherise) who said they were aware of the blood disorder and would let the surgeons know and would call me back if there was a problem. My surgery was booked for 7/18. I had a pre-op scheduled for 7/8. I happened to call right before the appt to see how long it would take and the receptionist Sophia told me I wasn’t on the schedule because my surgery was canceled. I told her I was not informed of this and she said the nurse Cherise documented she spoke to me. I asked to speak to Cherise. She didn’t call me back until the next day and stated “she spoke to the doctors on 6/16 (mind you, it’s 7/9) and was told I was not a candidate due to the blood disorder. When I asked her why I wasn’t notified, she said, “I meant to call you but it’s been so busy around here”. That was unacceptable in my eyes. I had taken time off from work already. I’m ok with not having the surgery for safety issues but I was not informed of the date AND they still had my money! If they knew my surgery was canceled on 6/17, why wasn’t my money refunded (mind you, it was over $10,000!). It took me calling corporate several times to finally get it refunded (1 month after canceling my surgery). The only person who was helpful was the person I initially consulted with, who was Brittany Pauk. Everyone else was dismissive and rude. That tells me they are only in it for the money. Beware!
ANONYMOUS
I had Laser lipo surgery for inter thighs chin upper an lower abdomen. thighs have indent in them and everywhere i had lipo skin was loose. i did eveything they said to do and the wanted me to go once a week for 8 weeks and iron out my thighs and other place. i paid a lot to look good and nothing.
Had a Sono Bello “SPEACIAL OFFER” 2yrs. ago. It was the most expensive, PAINFULL,”medical” procedure I have ever gone through. It did NOTHING to reduce body fat,as claimed. Intense Pain after procedure for 3-6 months. Permanent scaring from procedure. Went back to Sono Bello 3 times to complain of pain & no fat reduction. All they did was offer to put Me through Painfull Procedure again! I stated the pain was too intense, and requested a refund. I never heard from them again!!! Stay away! They are a total ripoff. You could have bought a Total gym for their cost, without the pain and scares.
I called to make the appointment, they were very nice on the phone, and getting approvals for $$, the results very disappointing, it’s been almost a year, not much difference at all, and it was supposed to be a tummy tuck, trysculpt, Lipo of upper abdomen, lower abdomen and waist, I am very disappointed I was expecting to see results and look better.
I will not recommend to anyone please do research, there are better places with great results and less expense.
Upper & lower abdomen and waist lipo performed. Absolutely zero regrets. My procedure was quick and painless. I’m down 4 inches and very pleased with my results.
This was a mistake. No one shares the depth of pain after the process procedure. It’s been a month since my procedure and the swelling is still obvious making the stomach area protrude and ven more. Sharp pains and overall soreness. I walk30 minutes a day, wear the compression suit 10-12 hours and the soreness and pockets of hardness are still present.
The Dr. Was abrasive and seemed to be bothered if you asked questions. The staff after care was personable but really couldn’t help in any way.
I wish I had checked the reviews before the payment. I never would have paid almost 7k for these results. My only hope is that things will get better with time.
Agree 100% with Anonymous!!! My procedure was the same at the Troy, MI location.
Had a wonderful dr and attending assistant. He and she listened to me and I listened to them. Was told it could take 6 mos to 1 year to see all changes. Has been 5 months. I feel better, clothes I could NOT wear I now can. Am back to working out – not every day, but see my own self improvement with their help!! It was just the ‘boost’ I needed to my own self improvement. Thank You Sono Bello
This is the worse thing that ever happened to me. Days and Days of Pain and missing work. Took over a year to recover and I still am. The commercials are a complete lie. You should just take your money and throw in a garbage can because that is what I feel I did with $8,000.00. Do not do it if your thinking of it.
I am glad I read all the reviews. I haven’t had the procedure yet and will unlikely have it after all the cons.
So far I am sitting the whole hour in McLean Virginia office waiting for a consultation!
Poorly organized place. The whole hour in the waiting area!
I am curious how long the consultation will last when so many people are gathering in the waiting area.
After reading all the reviews I will not be going to them. They have blown up my phone with text messages and phone calls trying to get me to do the consultation. Thank you all for the reviews.
I went in for a consult and paid the Money and made the appointment. This was just as COVID hit. As Covid progressed I was apprehensive about the virus. When I tried to move the appointment back (thinking I would wait until the virus cleared. (I am over 60 and over weight) I was told I would not be able to do that and I would be forfeiting the money I had paid. So I kept the 2nd appointment and showed up. They have a folder full of pages to sign. One of the pages was a acknowledgment that the surgery would be more painful because I had had the surgery before. (They had my file on the day I had paid and acknowledged I had had the surgery before. She did NOT inform me of any of the issues I would be dealing with due to having the same places I had the surgery before) One of the pages I had to sign was that There would be more painful due to having the surgery before!! I was surprised, but unwilling to forfeit the money I had paid. (they make you pay in full before setting a date for the procedure) So I had the procedure done. I went home and for the 1sy week was in so much pain that I couldn’t even eat! (yeah I get, I was losing weight, but not in a healthy was) I was so weak I couldn’t walk to the kitchen. When I finally could eat, my husband went to my favorite restaurant nan go me their soup. That night I started swelling. It was excruciating! After being in so much pain for a week this was worse. My husband took me to the hospital, where they drugged me up. The Dr. explained to me that when I had the surgery the first time damaged tissue form scar tissue, which grows back STRONGER. When they did the surgery the 2nd time the canula ripped threw that scar tissue causing much more pain than normal. I flashed back to the 1st and 2nd appointments when NOONE at Sono Bello informed me of that! NOONE informed me of this. And when I signed the form, I asked the consultant, she said that it wasn’t a big deal and I wouldn’t get my money back if I didn’t go a head with the procedure.
I know that I was not being wise about this whole little adventure, But this is sooo unprofessional! They on purposely had me pay upfront knowing this was going to be a big deal.
And then informing me the day of the procedure when it was too late to get my money back.
And guess what? when I was calling them wreaked with pain they were all of a sudden not so nice and accommodating. Not returning my calls until I had informed them on a phone message that I had had to go the emergency room.
Listen, I’m 60, have had 2 babies 2 back surgeries and TMJ. The pain I had after this surgery was off the CHARTS! And I know pain. They should have been upfront about this, before taking my money!
I have waited until months after the procedure so I could calm down and write this. Beware!!
I am 3 1/2 weeks out from having my upper/lower abs, flanks, hips, and back done. I am also 5 days out from having my inner thighs and arms done. I went in with realistic expectations. I was able to notice my back fat gone immediately! Other areas I notice more as the days grow. I was super sore in my upper abs the most front the first procedure with very minimal bruising. The second procedure I was told would be a lot more bruising and they were right. My thighs are extremely bruised and hurt but I’m tolerating it. I’m wearing my compression suit pretty much 24 hours a day. The staff at the Cranberry office in PA is extremely nice and helpful!! They are very welcoming to answer any questions and were not pressuring at all when I had my consultation appointment. The dr did suggest I add on my hips to the procedure and explain in detail why. It was totally up to me, with no pressure whatsoever to decide if I wanted to or not. Scheduling was fast. My only complaint was the initial numbing process which they said was exceptionally more painful for me because I’ve had several prior surgeries and have built up scar tissue that the dr had to go through. It wasn’t as bad during my second procedure. I feel bad that so many have negative reviews because I had such a great experience.
Stomach is disfigured….stay away from this place
Poor quality bot worth 6 grand to be disfigured
Having read so many cases here of Sono Bello not returning the deposit, I hope people know that in at least some states, there is no such thing as a non-refundable deposit. If the service doesn’t happen, they must refund the deposit.
I was wondering if all the [negative and positive] reviews on here are real. First, there’s no mention of the clinics and surgeons’ complete names and the locations’ addresses where their procedure was done. Second, it seems to me that this approach is seemly to market a product or service other than that of Sono Bello.
Thanks everyone for the comments. I am so glad I read them. I had an appointment today and I asked my son if this would be a good idea. He advised me to read comments because he haven’t had a chance to research Sono Belo. Well needless to say, I’m about to cancel my appointment today right after I finish this. I don’t have any scars on my stomach and I definitely don’t want any now. Nor do I want to pay all the money and have no results. I’m going to do it the right way and exercise and lay off sweets and breads.
My experience was GREAT. The staff was really nice to work with. I was told everything upfront and knew exactly what I was getting into. The price never changed unless I added more work to be done.
The Plastic Surgeon nurses were wonderful to work with!! I am very happy with the results. I went to the Sono Bello in Brookfield, WI
The pain was excruciating. I had my lower abdomen done but paid for upper and lower. It makes me look pregnant because the upper abdomen is so much larger.I had my saddle bags done. They took off so much that my mid leg is thicker than my thigh. It’s been a year and I still look distorted. The Docs aren’t even plastic surgeons. Mine was a dentist.. recovery was short for me.
ladies I too was thinking of doing this in the tummy area. Thank you for your honesty. For all of you I would find a good attorney and do a class action suit. They need to be accountable and run out of business. For myself I will curtail junk food and move my body and join silver slippers! Good luck!!!
WOW!!! Was considering this procedure BUT the massive amount of negative comments (vs. positive) that I’m reading are very alarming!!!
Maybe someone should do a class action lawsuit
Save your money! They took over $8,000 of my money and I have had NO weight loss. After the surgery, only a few pounds less, and was told it was because they could not remove certain layers of the fat. Only the top layer was removed. I am so disappointed. One side of me is worse than the other side. I was told they could not do anything further. If they couldn’t help me, they should not have ever taken my money nor done any surgery.
If at a later time I wanted to do it again, they would consider a discount. I wanted my money back not a discount! I was told the fat would not return, but of course that was not correct. After 6 months, the few pounds were back. I regret having this surgery at all. In the end, I have not lost any weight or inches and I am still fat.
This is false advertising. They make you believe you can walk out in 1 day slimmer and it never comes back…..but that is all false.
wow really scary I just sch’d a consult but after ALL these negative comments and only two favorable comments I think I will just just keep on working out and trying to eat right.i have severe back pain and im front heavy around my upper and lower abdomen. it has been suggested by my therapist and also my dr that reducing by abd would help my back pain. I saw the commercials and thought this was the way to go, I at least wanted to check it out but I think I have heard enough.
I love my flat belly it’s feel amazing.my second week it’s going really good I’m taking daily walks to the park of course I can’t be jumping around but every morning I have a lot of energy. I loss around 15 pounds and 3 sizes and I’m waiting for more good news.
I had liposuction on my abdomen at Sono Bello five years ago and I am still paying the price for that bad decision.
The place is like a liposuction mill for unskilled cosmetic surgeons.
The procedure left me with unevenness to my abdomen, huge lumps, scaring, wrinkling of my skin, and deep tissue discoloration. It took me three years to get rid of the discoloration and most of the wrinkles with many treatments of radio frequency, cavitation procedures, deep tissue massages, mesotherapy injections, and carboxy treatments. I still had hardened fat and an odd shape to my abdomen three years later. After all those treatments, I still had to surgically fix what Sono did and failed to do costing me more at the end.
When I first went to get my treatments and massages, the technician asked me if I went to a third world country to get the liposuction procedure. I said “No I had it done right here is the USA, right here in New York”. I told the technician that If I went to a third world county, the outcome probably would have been better.
My procedure was botch!
I went to find a good cosmetic surgeon and when he saw my abdomen he asked me who did my procedure. I told him Sono Bello and gave him the name of the doctor. He said “I keep getting their clients. I keep fixing what they messed up. I am sorry that you had to go through that.”
What are the odds? I found a cosmetic surgeon that had many of their clients. Think about it. What are the odds?
When people are desperate and depressed about their body image, those Sono Bello advertisement seem appealing, especially the price per area. However, it isn’t worth it. I have nothing but regrets because my abdomen end up looking worse than when I went in.
They use photo shop images for their before and after pictures, and I didn’t realize this until they also photo shopped my images for my chart.
Caveat emptor.
Caveat Emptor
Many of their before and after pictures are photo shopped and I didn’t know this until they also photoshopped my pictures.
It cost me more money to correct what the surgeon at Sono Bello did to my abdomen.
It ruined my love life/marriage because I was ashamed of how I looked after the procedure.
i want to see photos of this on the inner thigh lipo and tightning of lose skin
I would like to share my experience at Sonobello (676 E Swedesford Road Wayne PA location) thus far,
The front office staff – AMAMZING! I’m a needy lady, never once did I hear bass in their voices because of the caring culture they have for their patients! I am on first name basis that is how much I call. 🙂
Nurse Jessica – AMAZING!
I’m saving the BEST for last – Nurse Adrienne & Dr. Gary Brownstein, MD are the best of the best! The amount of caring they have for their patients is something you don’t see as much anymore? Dr. B. has the “dad” “pop” mentality where if is not good idea he will say give you a hard no and it is for the best interest of the patient. I was so grateful because I live by “actions are so much louder than words”! The office & their entire staff are wonderful plus, I got to get my fat sucked out! It was tolerable experience with very little recovery. If you want to feel safe trusting someone with your body to enhance you so you can feel amazing you must go meet Dr. Brownstein, MD & Adrienne. If I could have Dr. Brownstein as my only doctor I would jump on that. His bedside manner was 2nd to none! I had three procedures last Wednesday and I’m going back next Friday for another to finish up because of the amazing Dr. Brownstein & Adrienne and the rest of the amazing crew!! I’m so grateful to all of them! Thank you and stay blessed!
I had an appointment scheduled at the Scottsdale, AZ location. I was scheduled for 12noon on a Friday. There was an accident and lots of traffic on the freeway due to it being rush hour. I arrived 20 minutes late and was told by the receptionist that I can’t be seen and would have to reschedule. I told her I drove over 1 hour and had a difficult time finding the office. She just said,”you would have to reschedule.” She did not even go to the back office to see if they would still see me despite me being the only person in the waiting room. I left disappointed and after reading the reviews I am so happy I left. Next day I received a text asking me to reschedule. I give a date and time at which I received a reply asking me for my age ,date of birth and height. I replied that I already provided that information and explained what took place when I came for the first consultation. I never received another message after that. All text messages ended. I’m glad I saved my money. These people are very rude, inconsiderate and unprofessional.
I want to say thank you to everyone who posted their experiences. I’m glad I came here. I’m staying away from Sono Bella.
I wish I had saw these reports first!
This was a expensive horrible procedure that did not show any positive results.
This was the biggest mistake I have ever made. It has been way over a year since my initial procedure, it was a total nightmare. To make a long story short. I arrived at 9am-sat in a room for over 2 hours, with not one person checking on me or letting me know why it was taking so long. After 12 o clock, they brought me meds to take & again I sat in the room for hours before they came to take me in for the procedure. The meds stop helping, the doc said he could not give me anymore, it was now 6pm and he said he could not finish the procedure due to pain. Im sure it was about the pain(since the meds wore off)but also it was so late in the evening. I was told I have to wait 6 months before we can finish the procedure(its the law-so they say). I went back several month past the 6 months (due to the COVID) and he tells me, I need a CT Scan of my stomach-he suggested my primary doctor order it. I went to PCM and she said I do not need a CT Scan there is no reason for one. I emailed Sono Bello, explaining the situation. I asked for a refund and of course no response. When I call they take a message and tell me someone will call be back. NOPE! No calls, no email and no refund. I paid 10.000. They think this is over but it is not! They can not keep ripping people off.
Very dissatisfied, I was overcharged the first time for a very, very small area, which was not done right. The surgeon spent approximately 30 minutes from numbing to lipo. I had to insist they fix it, when they finally did, they charged me an additional $500. The surgeon is not meticulous, doesn’t care what the outcome is, just does a “job” and rushes through. I would NOT recommend them for anything. Just look at their people in the before and after on line and you will see, some women look like a big sack of potatoes and then like a smaller sack of potatoes.
over price $7560
omg you just saved me. thank you so much
I had Sono Bella in December on the 22nd, 2020. I paid $13,000 dollars of lipo and a excision of my lower tummy. I was given a compression garment to wear. I noticed after 3 months I did not look like I had anything done. I had weight loss surgery in 2002 snd wanted excess removed and lipo I consulted with a company in Dayton Ohio that fixed what Sono Bella did not do. I had a compression garmet that actually was 3x as strong as Sono Bella. Yo go back to them from Dayton I had to travel to Columbus. Ohio. Pure MD is local. They have follow up treatments called skin tite. Teaching goes on through their skilled techs so you benefit. Sono bella their teaching. Watch for infection. No follow up treatments or creams even suggested called them spoke with a very rude woman named Donna. Offered me a thousand dollars return. I am going to be very vocal to all who can hear. Sono Bella is a rip off
The doctors are very good, but the administrative service sucks! Therefore, don’t waste your time on this place. Please know that they will call you and arbitrarily cancel appointments, follow up appointments and never call you back to re-schedule them. They are rude, especially, Mariah the manager, and they expect you to not express your concern whenever they don’t return your phone call(s) and you remind them of it. I would NOT recommend this place to my pet alligator due to the poor administrative service and the extreme turnover rate of staff.
I had a phenomenal experience so far and the results are mine blowing! I work out quite a bit and I’m not able to get rid of three areas where the fat deposits stay once you get to a certain age. I say go for it and it was money well spent!
SUCH A WASTE OF MONEY. don’t rush into it on what you see in their commercial
the onetime procedure to remove body fat was not true. they had to do 2nd procedure for me and still not get the result I expected or as they promised.
DON’T FALL FOR THIS
Scam ! Dont go there ! dont sign up with them ! all total lie! you spend thpusands for nothing ! I’m so unhappy and frostrated ! procedure is so painful , recovery is horrible and take over 2 months ! the staff is unprofessional , rude and don care about patience at all !
i can wrirte many things but bottom line for everybody – thsi company and porcedure is Scam and please , please dont go there !
Scam! This company must be close by health department ! All big lie!
Don’t go there ! Don’t sign up with them!
Painful procedure , horrible painful recovery ! Such small results for almost $14,000 that I paid !
I didn’t do dip research and now I’m paying for my stupid decision !
Please be aware of this company !!!
Scam!!!
be aware of this company ! All Scam and big lie ! horrible procedure ! painfull , too expensive and not productive ! dont go there , dont sign up with them ! they will not you a truth about this prodecure and allgood reviews on Sono Bello website is a lie ! you cant even leave your review there . they dont care abut you as client, all they care – your money !
one more time – dont go there !