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Sono Bello Reviews - Is It Really Effective?

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Sono Bello

Overall Rating

3.3

230 Customer Reviews

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Summary

Sono Bello specializes in a variety of body contouring and liposuction services that are claimed to help you remove unwanted fat and to achieve your specific beauty goals. Liposuction is considered an effective procedure, but there are risks involved.

Pros

  • Effective treatment for fat removal
  • Minimal recovery time
  • 60+ locations around the US
  • May be more effective than CoolSculpting
  • Potentially long-lasting results with a healthy lifestyle

Cons

  • Results may be subtle
  • Customer complaints against Sono Bello sales tactics
  • Pricing information isn’t transparent
  • Small risk of serious complications

Our Full Review

By Lydia Noyes

Updated on: Jun 24, 2020

Sono Bello is a chain of body contouring clinics that employs over 125 board-certified surgeons. The company states that they have performed more than 150,000 cosmetic procedures at 60-plus locations across the United States.

These procedures are targeted towards men and women who want a quick treatment that will give them a slimmer figure. The company promises to provide each customer with an advanced micro-laser liposuction procedure for quicker results and less recovery time.

In this review, we’ll help you gain a better understanding of how Sono Bello works and the results you can expect, so you can determine if it’s right for you.

Available Procedures

Liposuction is considered an effective surgical procedure for slimming, reshaping, and removing excess fat deposits in the body.

Most procedures are performed with general anesthesia or minimal oral sedation. The surgery requires doctors to create small incisions in body tissues and use microcannulas (thin needles) to extract fat cells from the body.

It’s important to note that liposuction treatments aren’t meant to be a solution for obesity or as a shortcut for weight loss. Rather, Sono Bello states that the procedure should be considered a way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits that are difficult to remove from diet or exercise alone.

Unlike dieting—which they state merely reduces the size of fat cells—liposuction removes the fat cells entirely.

Most Sono Bello centers offer three procedures that it considers less invasive than traditional liposuction:

  1. TriSculpt™ Laser Liposuction
  2. Venus Freeze™
  3. TriSculpt E/X™

These procedures are used to treat a wide variety of areas, including chest, chin, waist, abs, arms, back, and legs.

TriSculpt™ Laser Liposuction

As Sono Bello’s most popular procedure, this three-step fat removal procedure relies on “stay-awake localized anesthesia, power-assisted liposuction, and micro-laser assisted liposuction.”

Sono Bello reports that laser liposuction helps to restore the natural contours of your body and is ideal for removing fat pockets from your stomach, waist, arms, and legs.

You’ll stay awake through the procedure and get local anesthesia in the treatment areas. During treatment, a physician uses microcannulas to suck out unwanted fat from large pockets and a separate microcannula with a low-power laser to break down fat in smaller sections like your upper arms and under your chin.

Venus Freeze™

This non-surgical procedure is designed to reduce the appearance of cellulite by using a combination of radiofrequency and magnetic pulses.

The Venus Freeze should be painless and will cause only a gentle massage feeling on your skin. Sono Bello states that you will experience a trimmer, smoother figure in as few as five sessions.

The treatment begins with a Sono Bello treatment provider applying a soft gel to the target area and gliding a Venus applicator over the gel in smooth motions to tighten the skin and reduce cellulite.

The treatment purportedly causes new collagen and elastin fibers to form to bring you more supple skin over time.

TriSculpt E/X™

This procedure is designed to remove excess skin, especially around the lower abdomen. It’s advertised as the ideal solution for toning up your appearance, especially when paired with liposuction to remove excess fat first.

Pricing

Sono Bello states that TriSculpt and TriSculpt E/X prices start at $1,349 per area, with a minimum requirement of three areas treated ($4,047 total minimum).

The starting price for Venus Freeze is $2,995.

However, the precise cost for your procedure will vary based on the clinic’s location, the area and amount of your body you want them to treat, whether you opt for financing or single payment, and what your starting BMI is.

Note that the company is vague about what constitutes an ‘area.’ I reached out to customer service for further details and was told this was a question that could only be discussed between my consultant and me during my ‘free, in-person consultation.’

Hitting a dead end with customer service, we looked at customer reviews of Sono Bello from around the web to learn what people were paying.

Some reported paying the following:

  • Outer thigh procedure: $3,000
  • Two rounds of back and belly fat removal: $12,000
  • Full body liposuction treatment: $13,500
  • Skin removal on their stomach: $4,000
  • Back and midsection liposuction: $6,000

As this variance in prices shows, it’s difficult to predict what your treatment costs will be from looking at past procedures because they vary based on each person’s unique situation. The best way to get a price estimate is to contact your preferred treatment location for a phone estimate or to schedule a free consultation.

Financing Options

Sono Bello offers numerous financing options, including options where you won’t owe any interest if you pay off the full amount of your treatment in six or 12 months. They also claim to offer financing through Care Credit, a medical credit card that offers various financing options depending on the cost of the procedure and the time for repayment.

As with any medical procedure, you’ll want to be sure that you have a complete understanding of the costs associated with your treatment before you commit. Read the fine print and ask plenty of questions during your consultation so you know what you are signing up for.

How Does Sono Bello Pricing Compare to Other Cosmetic Procedures

The 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the average cost of liposuction as $3,374, though the price of the procedure varies based on location and surgeon. That’s likely lower on average than what you’ll pay at Sono Bello.

However, this pricing can be deceiving. In the words of plastic surgeon Dr. Samuel Lin, “the average fee referenced is only a portion of the cost. It does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses.”

For this reason, you need to make sure you know precisely what is being treated, and what the expected results should be, before committing to a procedure

Are Liposuction Procedures a Permanent Solution?

According to New York-based plastic surgeon Dr. Charlie Chen, “the results [of liposuction] can be permanent. However, it is impossible to take out every single fat cell in the area. Therefore, if the person gains weight, the liposuctioned area may also increase in size.”

Specialist surgeon Dr. Bernard Beldholm clarifies that any fat you regain after liposuction will look a little different than before the procedure.

“If the person gains weight the remaining fat cells will grow but the patient will remain in proportion,” he told us. “For example, if liposuction has been done on the saddlebags ‘hip area’ and the person gains weight, then the legs and body will get bigger but the saddlebags will not return.”

Ideal Candidates

Liposuction is meant to remove unwanted pockets of fat that tend to accumulate in areas that are resistant to dietary changes or exercise, said Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani, a Manhattan-based plastic surgeon, noting that these pockets are common on the lower abdomen, the upper thighs, the jowls, and other areas on the body.

“Liposuction removes these pockets of fat, slimming the contour – this is a body-contouring procedure,” Dr. Shridharani said. “Excellent candidates are those that still have good elasticity in their skin so that the skin can tighten down to the slimmer contour once the underlying fat is removed.”

Not everyone is a candidate for liposuction. According to Dr. Shridharani, people who have sagging, stretched, loose skin should avoid this procedure.

“Liposuction alone is not the best procedure, as it will leave an area of loose sagging skin, albeit without fat underneath,” Dr. Shridharani said. “In these cases, procedures that remove excess skin, such as a tummy tuck, are better options.”

Dr. Chen also told us that prospective patients should be in good health, have a medical history free of significant problems, and be within 30 pounds of their ideal body weight.

It’s also best to be a nonsmoker.

Recovery Times

The company states that most Sono Bello patients return to work within a week of treatment, and they are approved for vigorous exercise within four to six weeks.

“Most patients can return to work in just two or three days unless they have had multiple areas treated – those patients may need a week off from work,” said Dr. Shridharani, adding that scarring “will be virtually invisible.”

Light physical activity may be resumed after two weeks, Dr. Shridharani recommended; intense cardio may be resumed by 3 to 4 weeks, and strength training is typically permitted at 5 to 6 weeks post-surgery.

Safety and Side Effects

As with all surgical procedures, there are some inherent risks from Sono Bello. The Mayo Clinic states that you might experience mild bleeding immediately after or develop infections at the site of the incision.

Noticeable scarring due to the treated skin pulling away from healthy skin is also possible with procedures that don’t heal correctly, and some people experience permanent or temporary numbness and tingling from nerve damage.

Past customer reviews show that some people experienced pain during the procedure because they weren’t given general anesthesia. Others reported painful, slow-healing infections because of incisions that went too deep.

One of the most common side effects is to end up with physical irregularities, such as bumpy, weathered skin, or fat bulges due to uneven fat removal or poor healing.

Your risk of complications like this increases if your surgeon is working on a large area and if you don’t take the recommended precautions during the healing phases.

However, these negative experiences look to be the exception, not the norm. Most people who undergo Sono Bello procedures don’t suffer from unexpected side effects.

Analysis of Customer Reviews

More than 200 customers have left reviews for Sono Bello on our website, and overall the service averages 3.4-stars. Here’s a summary of key insights:

Shady Sales Tactics

A significant number of Sono Bello customers weren’t happy with the sales tactics used to convince them to sign up for the service. Many people reported that they felt like they were part of a “bait and switch” where they were quoted one price during their initial consultation and then were charged more at the time of the procedure.

Positive Improvements

Many Sono Bello patients were thrilled with the results from their procedure. They noted that they dealt with short, painless recovery times and saw real progress right away.

Many wrote that friends and family noticed the change immediately and that the procedure improved places that they weren’t able to affect with exercise.

Helpful Sales Representatives

Many customers loved working with the company’s sales agents. They reported that the customer service team took lots of time to carefully explain their treatment options and ensure that they didn’t have any questions or concerns about the procedure before officially committing.

Unsatisfactory Results

A large percentage of Sono Bello users weren’t happy with the results from their procedure. We read reviews from people who felt that their skin looked deformed after treatment and that their bodies weren’t fully healed more than six months after their procedure.

Sono Bello vs. CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting promises to get rid of extra fat through a safe, cost-effective procedure. The process relies on cryolipolysis, which is a technology designed to freeze fat cells so that they die, and your body can eliminate them.

This leads to targeted fat loss, though the process isn’t designed to help you shed weight as dramatically as liposuction. Instead, you’re likely to experience up to 20% fat reduction in the treatment area after one session, and it may take several months for your body to expel the fat cells so you can see your results.

When you compare CoolSculpting to Sono Bello’s procedures, a few things are clear. First, CoolSculpting is considered a lower risk procedure because there’s no incision, you don’t need anesthesia, and there’s usually minimal recovery time after.

One drawback is that this often leads to subtle results. A primary CoolSculpting complaint is that it takes a long time for the procedure to work, and the results are usually subtle.

CoolSculpting tends to be cheaper than other forms of cosmetic weight loss, as you’ll likely pay closer to $1000 to $2000 for the treatment.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering a procedure from Sono Bello, you need to be realistic about what your experience might be. Keep in mind that there are risks involved and that results can vary between patients.

Sono Bello’s lack of transparency about pricing is concerning. You will likely only be able to get an accurate price estimate by attending an in-person consultation.

All Sono Bello deposit money is non-refundable, so consider your options carefully before putting down money. We suggest that you leave the office and think about your options for 24 hours before proceeding.

Cosmetic surgery, even relatively non-invasive treatments like what Sono Bello offers, isn’t for everyone. You are most likely to benefit if the following describes you:

  • You understand that liposuction from Sono Bello isn’t designed for extreme weight loss, but rather to reduce the appearance of fat in hard-to-tone areas.

  • You are within 30 pounds of your goal weight and struggle to get the results you want from diet and exercise alone.

  • You are willing to commit to a healthy diet and exercise routine to maintain your results.

  • You understand that your treatment will likely cost $4,000 or more and that you will need to put down a non-refundable deposit.

  • You understand that any cosmetic procedure runs the risk of potentially permanent complications.

Customer Reviews

3.3 Stars out of 230 Reviews
5 Star:50% 4 Star:6% 3 Star:2% 2 Star:4% 1 Star:36%
57% Recommend This Company
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Posted on Jul 2, 2015

Happy Patient of Sono Bello

By Nneka, King of Prussia, Pa, Verified Reviewer

I had my procedure done 10 days ago and I'm super excited with my result already, I still have a long way to go but I'm feeling and looking fabulous. From the beginning consultation to the day of my surgery, the staff members and Dr Talaie was caring and professional. You'll feel at ease when talking and asking a million and one questions like I did. My nurse Adrienne was kind and sweet. I would recommend Sono Bello Wayne, PA to anyone. Tired of feeling lousy in your own body even after diet and exercise, Sono Bello can help you regain that confidence that you once had. After giving birth to my son my body was never the same, which I expected but over a nine years course I gained weight in areas that I didn't like, mainly my abdomen. I finally saw a friend of mine that was looking super fabulous and I asked what was her "secret." She told me Sono Bello Wayne and I began with my 6 months research and 10 days later I'm happy with my decision I'm still sore and numb but no bruising and all my incisions are almost closed. I'm in my secondary compression garment that I only take off when showering I have a back up garment for when I hand wash and air dry one to wear. The first few days were hard for me because my tolerance for pain is low but on day 6 I was feeling like my old self again, I was moving around without feeling stiff and I was more active. Sorry for the long review and the over selling but I'm just so excited. Sincerely Nneka.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 29 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 5, 2015

Liposuction

By Satified Client, Westchester, New York, Verified Reviewer

I had a procedure done ten days ago at the Westchester location. I want to share with you that Dr. Gary Berger was great. He made my experience comfortable and was very patient. Sheba, a receptionist there was awesome and she made me feel at ease with some anxiety that I was experiencing before my procedure. I have to say that the nurses were very nice and accommodating. I went back for my follow up and the nurse helped me to understand what the upcoming months would bring and what to expect after my procedure. I would recommend this office and Dr. Gary Berger to all my friends and family who would like to bring out their beauty. Thanks Sonobello!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 24 People Have Voted

Posted on Sep 28, 2015

Excited

By Maria Fuchs , Atlanta, GA

I have to say Sono Bello Atlanta FA was awesome I had a scheduled appointment and Sahar Zamir made sure I got in earlier and had procedure the next week. I'm so excited.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 9 People Have Voted

Posted on Nov 5, 2015

Very happy

By Holly , Cincinnati

I'm glad I didn't read all of the negative reviews I'm seeing today before I had my procedure. I'm at post-op day three. So far, everything has been wonderful. My first consultation was very informative and the staff was very very friendly. I scheduled the procedure and received a discount for paying in full. I had my inner thighs, outer thighs, area under my butt which they referred to as the "banana" and my knees done. I'm 41, I weigh around 120 and I'm 5'. I've always had an athletic type figure due to being involved in dancing and gymnastics my entire life but some trouble areas would not go away no matter how well I dieted and exercised.

For my surgery, I arrived at 6:30 AM at their Cincinnati branch. The procedure started at 7:30 AM. The nurse and doctor were very friendly and kept me very comfortable. I was nervous about taking my pain pills so I opted out of having any pain medicine during my surgery. I was told the lidocaine would numb me pretty well and I wouldn't feel much after it was given. When they were giving me the anesthetic it did sting a bit when I received those shots but that was the worst pain throughout the entire surgery and it wasn't that bad.

The surgery went smooth. I was given a protective constriction garment to wear (which is very important to keep on after the surgery for at least three days if not longer I was told). I showered 24 hours after my surgery. I did get lightheaded in the shower and had to sit down for a moment. I was pretty sore day one and day two, but now, day three I had a much easier time getting out of bed and moving around. When I look at my legs I feel pretty great about the results so far. I know I'm going to be swollen for a few weeks but I can tell I'm going to love the results! I have a thigh gap, something I have never had…ever. Each day someone from SonoBello has called to check on me.

I'm also doing the Venus legacy treatments. I did one before the surgery and have seven left. This process will help smooth out any cellulite, wrinkling and will help shape my legs even better. If I can remember to do so, I will post before and after pics in a few weeks. I would highly recommend the Cincinnati location on Montgomery Road. The staff is amazing.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 38 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 16, 2016

Amazing

By Lynn, Cincinnati, OH, Verified Reviewer

I had an absolute amazing experience with Sono Bello. Carissa was my initial contact and she was informative, helpful and not at all pushy. She really took her time to make sure you were a good match for the procedure. Dr. Meir was incredible and made me feel extremely comfortable. My results are off the charts incredible. I would HIGHLY recommend them!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 26 People Have Voted

Posted on Apr 30, 2016

Great Servcie and Results

By Walter , Cincinnati, OH, Verified Reviewer

I was hesitant before I had my initial consultation at Sono Bella Cincinnati. I had met with Jennifer Salstrom and had a great overview of the body sculpting procedure and process. I scheduled my procedure and paid for the expenses. My doctor was Joel Majer, I cannot rave enough about how easy the process was, how great the staff was. Great results and an absolutely awesome surgeon. 5 stars in my book, wish I had done it sooner.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 28 People Have Voted

Posted on Aug 1, 2016

My experience

By Mrs. White, Connecticut, Verified Reviewer

I would definitely recommend Sono Bello to all my friends and family who are looking for some changes. I had the laser procedure done. I was welcomed by friendly well knowledgeable employees. I truly appreciate all the staff members at the New York location for all the assistance. I want to give special thanks to my surgeon who made sure I was comfortable the whole time. And oh, how I love my outcome. I look and feel great. Thank you Sono Bello.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 30 People Have Voted

Posted on Sep 2, 2016

Very happy with the results.

By Sandra De La Forest, Minneapolis, MN, Verified Reviewer

I am 68 years old and have had some work done over the years. I feel I can give an honest review. This was my first experience with corporate medicine.

I knew exactly what I wanted done. I felt Jennifer, the sales woman, understood me.

I met the Doctor the day of the procedure. I had a mini lift. Dr. Strand and his nurses were wonderful! I was very comfortable during the entire procedure. I left with a tight garment over my head that I had to wear for 24 hours. That was awful. The next day Dr. Strand gave me a different garment that worked just fine. I was given pain pills but, I didn't need to take many.

It has now been a month and I am very happy. I look at least 10 years younger. The bruising disappeared within a week. I have very little swelling left. Tomorrow is my one month appointment. I expect Dr. Strand to give me the okay to get back to golf and exercise.

I think they can charge less because they have smaller overhead than single practice doctors. Don't be afraid to have the surgery under local anesthetic. I was comfortable the entire time.

The women who expected to lose weight with lipo suction (in my opinion) should not have been told they would lose weight. Eat less and exercise more and when you lose weight, then have your skin tightened.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 64 People Have Voted

Posted on Jan 21, 2017

100% satisfied!

By Laura Lynn, Phoenix AZ, Verified Reviewer

The first procedure I had at Sono Bello was a liable suction on my derrière. The staff, from the front office to consultation to the medical staff, was phenomenal. The results were even more impressive, and I was so happy that around a year later I had three more areas treated.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 27 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 6, 2017

Couldn't be more pleased

By Cara Ward, Orlando, FL, Verified Reviewer

I don't normally leave reviews, but this time it's merited. I had my procedure for stubborn fat areas that I tried to get rid of my whole life. Every time I tried to diet and exercise them off, they just wouldn't go!

But now they are gone! Not only am I happier in my clothes and out, I have been able to stick to my wellness program because I don't have my fat areas screaming "this isn't working." I see results of my efforts now that my fat pockets are gone.

The staff was great! I would do this again, and I would highly recommend Sono Bello.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 61 People Have Voted

Posted on Feb 14, 2017

Excellent, so happy I did this

By Jen H, Cincinnati, OH, Verified Reviewer

First, I don't know who wrote this article, but they need to do an initial consultation to get all the facts. It's only half researched, and the opinion given here is unresearched crap.

There will always be people who post negative reviews or can't be pleased and make it sound so scary, but again, go to the initial consultation and research it yourself before forming an opinion.

I went through the Cincinnati, Ohio location and am extremely happy. The staff is amazing and caring! My doctor was Dr. Dawson, and I would recommend him to anyone. I look phenomenal, and I am only six weeks post op. I am excited to look in the mirror every morning to see the progress.

I saw reviews where folks said they didn't lose weight. It's not a weight loss surgery, so they had unrealistic expectations. I had the lipo on my entire abdomen, waist, hips, and inner thighs and look so toned and thin, and six weeks post-op I weigh 7 lbs less because I am actively working to lose weight, not because the surgery was a silver bullet.

I was close to my normal weight range and my doctor said it's better to be closer to the normal weight range because the result is better. They take between 30-70% of the fat cells out per area and contour. They take out the amount that will look right on the body as a whole.

Pricing is per area but based on BMI, so the $1,295 per area is based off a low, normal range BMI, and the higher the BMI, the higher the cost per area. There is a one-time $2,000 surgical fee, but they gave me discounts. My BMI was 27, so I paid $1,495 per area, for a point of reference. I am so happy with my decision and results and am considering going back in the fall to do my arms since I don't have to pay the surgical fee again.

The office and surgery room were nice and clean, the staff was caring and excellent, and my results so far are very noticeable. I am happy I did this and would recommend it to anyone who is considering it.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Helpful Review? 97 People Have Voted
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