Sono Bello Reviews - Is It Really Effective?

I wish I could give a negative rating but one star is as low as this will allow me to go. I had the worst experience with Sono Bello Atlanta and have thought long and hard about whether to even review their service because I really just want to be over them. In November 2017, I was scheduled for three rounds of lipo (was doing head to toe). Sahar (I believe is her name) was very attentive and helpful when she wanted my money but became a ghost after the botched job. Some of the experiences I had are listed below and explain why I would NEVER recommend Sono Bello to anyone:

1) I specifically asked what I could expect (in terms of pain or issues) after the procedure. I was told (by Sahar) that I would be a little sore but could resume normal activities within a day or two.

2) On the morning of the procedure (which they repeatedly told me to arrive by 5:30 am and they didn't open for another hour, which left me sitting on the floor outside their office, waiting).

3) After giving me the medication to put me to sleep, the nurse gave me a bunch of papers to sign to indicate that they decided to change the order of the procedures and that instead of doing the body parts to which we previously agreed, they thought it best to do other parts. I can't tell you what the change was because I never received copies (even though I asked in a follow-up visit) of the documents I signed. But who gives a patient paperwork to sign after medicating them anyway?

4) Within a day or so of the procedure, I felt like my muscles were knotting up all around my midsection (painful). In tears, I repeatedly contacted Sono Bello (Sahar, again) and she had the doctor call me (it was the day after Thanksgiving day, but he called and offered to write a prescription for muscle relaxers. I had some and took them - no help. For days, I continued to call, in tears, about the pain.

5) During my first follow-up appointment, I explained what was going on with me. The nurse (best employee of Sono Bello - sorry, can't remember her name) told me that it was completely normal. Why am I hearing this for the first time, I questioned. I told her about my conversations with Sahar and she went and got her. Sahar's initial response was, "I didn't say anything because it doesn't happen to everyone." WTH?! Then, she later said that I could have done my own research. No words.

6) I spoke to their practice administrator because when I continued to call, Sahar would put me on hold, then hang up, then refuse my calls. I explained this to the administrator who was very apologetic but said, "Sahar isn't a medical professional. You should have asked your doctor about that." WTH?! Sahar never suggested that she wasn't qualified to answer questions. Just the opposite - she answered without so much as a blink. And, when I was with the doctor she had come into the room and contradicted something he said, and he changed and went along with her, so why would I not listen to Sahar. Who knew how INCOMPETENT she was better than them?

7) The back and forth with Sono Bello representatives lasted for days after the procedure (in November) where I clearly said I would NOT be doing the remaining procedures and I wanted my money back (to which Sahar said, "no problem"), but it took from November to late January or early February to get my refund, and then I had to go through their administrator for that, and I only got back the portion of the procedures which weren't done. And, since they changed what was done (after I was medicated) the "new" procedure clearly cost more than what I agreed to before the procedure.

8) There is very little change to my stomach even though I still wear these darn wraps. AND, clearly, he did not remove all of the fat because there is one pocket above my navel that is clearly a fat pocket. So much for charging me for upper and lower abs.

I could go on and on about the poor service that I received. I will simply say, don't waste your money. Sono Bello staff repeatedly told me that I was an exception - I am not buying it. There service is horrible and the work they did - horrible. What a waste of money. I would have had more success (peace of mind) literally flushing the thousands of dollars down the toilet. Ugh.

Proceed with them at your own risk.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Two years after surgery I have huge holes in my legs at incision sites. All three spots on each leg are deep holes. I never lost a pound, and now my legs look deformed thanks to Sono Bello. They told me in a year I would notice a difference. It has been two and I never wear shorts or bathing suits. I’m 5'7" and I weighed 140 when the procedure was done and weighed the exact same weeks after. Run from this place. I paid well over $5k for them to ruin my legs.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Horrible results, a botched job. False advertisement. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I ended up looking worse after lipo on my thighs and banana roll. It’s been approximately two years and still results looks horrible. I went from wearing shorts and dresses to wearing pants and long shorts to hide the ugliness of my thighs from the procedure. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

When I tried to cancel the procedure after their own surgeon said he couldn’t give me the results I wanted and recommended against me having the lipo, Sono Bello would not refund me, so I had to have the procedure or lose my money completely.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I went to get lipo and was not happy with results. I had my checkups and they took pictures. I went another time and spoke to the doctor that did the procedure and I explained to him that I was not happy with the results I also had a laceration which he said could be from the girdle, so I asked him to put some Kenalog, which he did. Then I receive a one-time Venus treatment, and they said if I wanted this to help, it would cost another $2,000 and something, which I said "no" to.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

When I came to Sono Bello, my body was in bad shape and so was my self-esteem. I had my upper abs and lower abs done Their is a downfall with the surgical procedure, and that is that it is very painful. But to me, the pain and the money were worth it, because I got the body I wanted and now I can wear my clothes with no shame.

I love the whole staff; they were very helpful, and they did pay attention to my needs. I am sorry to hear that some people had bad experiences and wish you well. I love my Sono Bello body!

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

I had my procedure done a little over a week ago. I had my upper and lower abdomen done including the EX procedure, where they cut off the loose skin. I also had my back rolls and upper hips done.

Reading all of these bad reviews is quite disheartening. Although I feel bad for the patients who had bad experiences, what about those patients who have good results? Working in a sales position prior, most people comment on what "was bad" but not the good aspects of their experience. When a person is looking into ANY type of medical procedure, I am here to say "DO YOUR HOMEWORK!" There are risks involved in ALL procedures, and a person needs to understand this BEFORE having anything done! A person needs to research the facility, staff, doctor and, most importantly, the procedure itself. There are NO guarantees on ANY medical procedure; it is a risk a person personally takes themselves.

I can, in all honesty, say that so far my experience was good. The sales tactics used ARE high pressure, however, I had already made my mind up BEFORE meeting with her, so I was prepared. My doctor was more than informative! He told me UPFRONT that I may not achieve the results I was looking for and the procedure was NOT painless. He informed me of everything to expect, what not to expect, and what he could and could not do for me personally. During the procedure, he talked to me continuously, and I was able to watch the fat that was taken out of my body. The pain medicine was not enough during the procedure, so I mentioned that to the doctor and he did not hesitate to give me more so I would be more comfortable.

Reading all of the negative reviews on here does put some fear in me, however, it was MY choice to have this done and I can only hope for the best. I can say I noticed a difference immediately and am looking forward to the swelling subsiding and the final result. I DO KNOW it will take time and will be up to ME to maintain the results. I was informed before the procedure that my weight would not change much, and I feel I now have a responsibility to work on maintaining my results by changing my eating and lifestyle habits.

For anyone considering this procedure, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST and realize it is not a MIRACLE PROCEDURE, it is up to us individually to make changes for lasting results. The procedure during and after is painful, but it would be painful whether a person chooses Sono Bello or another facility.

I am looking forward to moving forward with a healthier lifestyle to maintain my 'new' body. I am personally taking responsibility to make that happen, as others should as well. The staff at the Columbus facility has been more than kind and helpful! I will definitely return for another procedure in the future. I would also recommend the Columbus facility to any woman needing a boost in confidence.

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

I had my first procedure today of my upper and lower abdomen. I was told right from the beginning after I saw the doctor from my re-app that of course after the label, there was going to be a considerable swelling period and there would be a considerable mount of drainage. This is true. I have the first stage of the garment around my abdomen, however, I feel great and confident that this procedure has worked. Swelling and drainage are expected, but I feel like 1 million bucks and would suggest this to anyone that could. My doctor was amazing, he took his time, and I currently have a second set up for two weeks from now. This is not a permanent fix unless you change your lifestyle, but it certainly gives you a job or kickstart to get the battery you’re looking for!

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

On November 15th, 2017 I went into Sono Bello for an upper and lower eyelid lift. It is now January, and I have a huge lump in the corner of my right eye and a scar that has such uneven skin that it literally has a shelf of skin sticking out. Makeup makes it look worse. The scar on the other eye is at least flat, but it looks like they drew it with an etch-a-sketch.

I have called to Sono Bello office, they just smile and tell me to wait six months, as if time will suddenly make the skin go flat again and the scar go away (not likely). I tried to contact the main office in Seattle, and they won't even call me back. There is no interest in my problem at all, now that they have my nearly $5K.

During the surgery, the doctor was flippant and acted like they were doing me a favor. I was leaving the surgical suite and she was sitting in the hall texting. I guess I just inconvenienced her day. When I left, I had blood running down my face, and they did not even try to clean me up. It was like I went to a foreign country or something. My first visit was high-pressure sales. I can only compare it to a timeshare presentation.

AVOID these quacks and hacks! They deserve NO stars!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I spent $3,400, and it did absolutely nothing. Don’t waste your money on it. I wish I would never have had it done. I have had issues with my stomach ever since. It does not work. Money I could have spent going to a health clinic to help me lose. I can’t believe how much of a scam this is.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I had surgery a year ago in March. Upper and lower stomach and waist smart lipo procedure. Whereas the surgery itself went well, the recovery from this was horrific, and I ended up in the hospital because my whole abdomen became massively inflamed and infected because the massive amounts of saline they inject in you did not completely drain out because my incisions started to heal over before all the drainage exited my body. I had to have all my incisions reopened and literally forcibly with his hands pushed out the bloody fluid out of my incisions, spuing into buckets and plenty of cotton bandaging to boot. The nurse assisting kept saying "oh my god, you poor girl!"

To say this was was painful is a complete understatement! I was hysterically screaming and crying from the incredible pain. My whole abdominal area and waist were black and purple from this blockage. I was told by the hospital's surgeon that the Sono Bello surgeon came dangerously close to piercing my main abdominal cavity with the liposuction tool, which would cause death.

All in all, I certainly would not recommend this type of procedure without sewing in drains so that all the fluid is expelled within a few days not months. Just a horrible experience in all. It literally took six months and lots of antibiotics/piano killers until the bruising and pain to be gone. It has taken a year to see the real results, but now I have to have a tummy tuck from the loose skin left over. I am pretty much hesitant to do this since the last surgery went so badly.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I went in for facial rejuvenation and was afraid, but excited. Now post surgery, I’m so, so disappointed as the results were only temporary. I went in on October 3, 2017, and it is now January 2, 2018, one day until three months, and my face is showing the same lines and sagging around jowls as before. I spent a lot of money and did not get results.

I would NOT RECOMMEND this place. I wish I had checked the reviews prior, but I was excited and couldn’t wait to get my new face and results. I am so, so disappointed and cry every day! I only felt good for two months, and then it was gone and back to the sagging.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend