- Weight Loss Technique: Surgical fat removal
- Weight Loss Short-term: Good
- Weight Loss Long-term: Poor
- Safety: Risky
- Price: From $1,349
- Better Alternative:
Sono Bellow Overview
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.
back to menu ↑How Do Sono Bello Procedures Work?
TriSculpt focuses on body areas rather than 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.” [2]
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, 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. 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.[1]
back to menu ↑Sono Bello Lift Cost
Are these procedures cheap? That depends entirely on your current income level. Trisculpt starts at $1,395 per area, and Lift procedures start at $2,995. [1]
Are Sono Bello Procedures Covered?
Sono Bello procedures are not covered by insurance, but the company does offer finance plans such as:
- No interest if it’s paid within 6 months
- No interest if it’s paid within 12 months
- 90% APR and Fixed Monthly Payments
Facial Rejuvenation with Lift® offers Neck & Jaw Line, Eyes and Brows work. The website doesn’t provide much information on the procedure itself, though face-lift procedures do tend to be more invasive and recovery time is generally longer, but it’s still done under the Localized Awake Anesthesia. I think this would freak me out a bit, but that’s me.
Both procedures start with an in-person consultation to determine your needs and goals for treatment.
back to menu ↑Sono Bello Safety?
All surgeries carry some risk. For specific risks associated with cosmetic surgeries, we turn to the Mayo Clinic:
All surgeries, including cosmetic procedures, carry risk. Those with a history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, or obesity have a higher risk of developing complications such as pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, or blood clots in the legs or lungs. Smoking also increases chances and interferes with healing. …
Possible complications for any surgical procedure include:
- Complications related to anesthesia, including pneumonia, blood clots and, rarely, death
- Infection at the incision site, which may worsen scarring and require additional surgery
- Fluid build-up under the skin
- Mild bleeding, which may require another surgical procedure, or bleeding significant enough to require a transfusion
- Noticeable scarring or skin breakdown, which occurs when healing skin separates from healthy skin and must be removed surgically
- Numbness and tingling from nerve damage, which may be permanent [3]
Sono Bello Results
In all the customer feedback I looked at for this Sono Bello review, even the worst of the complaints rarely mentioned actual injury, though there was one who mentioned a woman had died at a Florida clinic. I say right now I didn’t follow up on the report, so I can’t confirm or refute it beyond the reviewer’s account.
There were a lot of complaints about treatments that weren’t at all what the customer expected, or multiple treatments sold but not finished – one woman spoke of purchasing lipo treatments for both sides of her abdomen that were to be done 30 days apart, having the first side done, then being told it would be six months, then not being able to contact anyone at weight loss clinic after that. So she’s stuck with half of a toned abdomen.[4],[5]
Did Sono Bello Meet Expectations?
Many complained that the procedures they got didn’t even come close to meeting their expectations. Sometimes it was that same lack of communication between sales and clinic or just the absolute rudeness of both, but others felt they’d paid a lot of money and gotten next to nothing in return:
An Appalling Experience
The [sales] lady went through the paperwork so fast I hardly had time to go over it, and she said the other ladies were wanting to go home and we were taking too long. … Next, she told me to go over to get the treatment on a Saturday. She said they would give you something for fever blisters because likely this would cause them because it was kind of hot and close to your lips.
So we start the treatment [with] no questions about me at all. 5 minutes in my face is on fire, and the girl says you are getting really red. Then 5 more minutes and she says we have to stop your face is really red and I am afraid to continue. So I said OK, yeah it’s burning… told them I don’t know what is going on it could be the meds I take maybe… leave with only 10 minutes of a 30-minute treatment… told them, I was supposed to have 3 of those. Will I be refunded or compensated. She said well you would have to take it up with your salesperson. …[5] (emphasis added)
That wasn’t even the whole extent of this poor woman’s experience. It’s worth a look after you finish reading here.
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line: Is Sono Bellow a Rip-Off or Worth to Try?
Run. Sono Bello might claim to be the #1 Cosmetic Surgery Specialist in the country, but the reviews say otherwise. Dishonest, pushy, unorganized—and remarkably ineffective, it would seem—I can’t find anything about this company to recommend. Go to an actual plastic surgeon, even if you have to save up extra. The chain-clinic model isn’t working.
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