Sono Bello

I spent $5000 on laser lipo for my stomach. It is worse now than before. And I have a lump in my side that is painful since.

The experience was pleasant. Everyone in the office was nice and answered all of my questions. They were very informal of the procedures.

Painful and waste of money. Had my lower abs done and now the fat goes to my belly... I look pregnant now. Wish I never wasted my money.

Had smart lipo... November 2019.
When I had concerns about dents/scars and lopsided looking results at month 3&4. They told me just to massage it.
Then at 5months they told me to send pics (since covid office visits couldn't happen) and no one got back to me. I emailed, left messages... then the emails bounced back as undeliverable. Then I gave up for a couple months and started calling again. I was told they would honor the 6month satisfaction guarantee... it was extended bc of covid. Then I sent more emails with pics as requested and they bounced back as undeliverable.
So I called again and was told the whole office staff was changed and they apologized for me falling through the cracks and that the office manager would call me.
Waited a couple weeks, no call.
Called again... told the same thing.
And this process has been repeated ~ 3 more times and still no call back by the "office manager".
It has now been 1yr 5months since the procedure... and I am still going through this "process".

Lots of pain, it lasted about 2 months, the DR was not very nice, he seemed upset with my weight. Don't go there!

I'd give it a 0 if I could - Dr. Alter is the most condescending, rude, egotistical doctor I've ever come across. The rest of the facility and staff seem great but this doctor ruined the entire experience and if a doctor like him is allowed to work there I cannot recommend them. Everyone else was nice and professional but I've never left an appointment feeling more attacked and demeaned and disrespected. First he didn't introduce himself when he entered the room and became huffy and acted impatient upon reviewing my chart. He was snappy when asking questions and none of my responses seemed sufficient to him. That's definitely not going to put anyone at ease. Then he has the gall to say that I'm seeming very anxious and fidgety. Well of course I am. I'm tired after very little sleep because I was super excited about my pre-op, had a good bit of caffeine in my system so I was awake to make the almost 2 hour drive to see this doctor, I'm sitting there half naked in skippy underwear the office provided and hospital gown, and I'm feeling attacked because I have to take medications for sleep, anxiety, and ADHD. Yes, there's a good chance I might be a tad nervous and - god forbid - fidgety. So when I try to call him out for his antagonist - and rather abrasive - attitude towards me he yells "I'm ABRASIVE?!" Yes doc, I spoke clearly. Then you accuse me of calling him abrasive because he doesn't think I can tolerate the procedure. Not even close dude. I am thankful that a doctor tells me that they don't think I can tolerate an awake procedure. I appreciate that. I don't appreciate being made to feel like something is wrong with me and attacked. There's no reason to be a jerk. I have never been made to feel so low about myself in my adult life.
This man does not need to treat patients and for the sake of the practice, Sono Bello needs to get rid of him. Unfortunately I know nothing will come of it and his ego will continue to be stroked.
Go somewhere else or at least make sure that you do not have Dr. Alter.

I had my procedure done on August 16,2022. As of today September 12,2023 I still have occasionally swelling and numbness, which I expected. During the procedure, the upper abdominal was painful and the Doctor was not able to completely continue. I waited 8 months for the swelling to go down. I went in for a post op and told them I was not satisfied with the upper abdominal and I wanted to utilize the "satisfaction revision policy" I was told I could not use it because I gained 2 pounds, so i waited exercised and on my scale I lost 6 pounds and went back. At that visit they told me I gained 5 pounds. The problem is, they specifically tell you that you will not loose any weight and my weight fluctuate 3-5 pounds anyway and now the Doctor says I have to loose 3 pounds plus the 7 pounds he removed. The policy says, you must be at or below your weight on the day of surgery. Long story short, I paid almost $8000 and now they will not discuss my results or anything else with me. Basically, they told me to come in when I loose 5-10 pounds. I was planning to get a revision and pay extra for my upper back. Sonobello Oakbrook, IL, the revision policy is truley a joke, a scam, a marketing lie. Before the procedure the staff was so friendly and accommodating. But as soon as I had the smallest complaint, it all changed. My advisor was very nice through it all but, the Doctor and his nurse were not. People spend a lot of money on these procedures and you need to make sure you are getting your monies worth. My results were good but the upper abdominal hang out while the lower abdominal is slimmer and it looks weird.NOT SATISFIED

I had my lower, upper abdomen and waist done with smart lipo and I saw results after two weeks. It was very comfortable and no pain. Love it.

Listen to the reviews please! This doc is dangerous and an egomaniac! Women are scarred for life. Probably has criminal complaints.

I decided that I would do this to gift myself at 70 with a new look at my tummy. The initial procedure was a piece of cake. They gave you enough drugs to be relaxed so I really didn't feel anything during procedures. They were really interested to making me comfortable and not scared. They gave me some drugs to take at home for pain, nausea, and antibiotics, for when numbing wore off. After the 5th night I took all the meds according to schedule and what they gave me. I was out of it all. Then the shocks come to your tummmy, which I wasn't aware of. I've never had so much pain like that. After the 7th day I called because I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep, eat or anything.Im now into my 19th day and stilll can't sleep at night, triggered my old migraines coming back because so much Tylenol I've been taking. Stomach burning, shocking pains, tenderness in my stomach. Before I had this done I was walking 2-3 miles a day, now I'm lucky if I do a mile. When I called them on about the 7th day they told me these shocks might last 6months to a year and to take Tylenol only for pain. If you've ever experienced nerve pain you should never do this. They made me feel like I was a drug seeker. All they could say is everything was normal and it's the nerves waking up and to take Tylenol. No compassion for the pain I was in. I paid 6600.00 to miss Xmas eve,Xmas and both New Year's Eve and now I don't know how I'm going to go back to work. My poor dog just waits for me to take him but I just can't walk that long. Before this surgery I was migraine free, and pretty healthy person. Wasn't even overweight. I had a low BMI I should of recovered. I told the nurse today if I was told about the recovery would take 6 months to a year to heal I would of never done this. Ladies accept your body for what it is, because this wasn't worth the pain I've been going through.

I went to get a tummy tuck, boy was I stupid, I should have just went to a plastic surgeon, on the first visit they tried to get to pay another $3500 for the "xl" tummy tuck, I said wait I already paid you over $4500, I can't afford this, so they said ok, day of procedure, nurse very sweet, I actually liked my doctor, the PAIN was unbelievable, I almost passed out, my stomach is uneven, Rocky, looked like purple dead meat, bleeding everywhere, they bandage me sooo tight & a lot, with two Kotex pads for the blood, I couldn't take it off for days, I fainted in the shower trying to remove all the tape & pads, I got no follow up call, in fact I called them, crying about the pain & blood,, went to follow up visit the nurse was cold, wouldn't take a picture so I can see any difference, she said let's wait til your next visit, I went to front to schedule my visit, they said they will call me & they never did... I feel embarrassed in front of my family, them knowing I had to go get a loan, to do this, so I can feel better about myself, I complained 6 months later, bc my stomach is uneven, and we could have used this money for more important things, I'm going in next week to show the doctor how unsatisfied I am, I'm sure going to give me some b. S. that my before pics and after pics shows a difference, but I didn't pay for this little of a difference, I really feel we all should start an class action suit

My friend and I went in January of 2023 for a consultation. At that time they suggested the tri-sculp package!
We did ask questions. We decided to go ahead and schedule that procedure for both of us. They told us that "most people have this procedure done on a Friday and return to work on Monday"!
My friend and I both went for our pre opt. Appointment and my friend had her tri-sculpt procedure done first.
I can't begin to tell you the pain she endured. Yes they did give her a prescription for pain medicine, that did NOT touch her pain. After 4 day's she was still in so much pain.that the Doctor had to call her in another prescription!
After seeing what my friend went through, I went ahead and CANCELED my procedure. Because I had my pre-opt appointment they did not want to refund my money!
These people upfront only care about the all mighty dollar. They are liars and deceiver. They said we would feel "slight discomfort". They never told us what it was truly going to be like. The added expenses like lipo foam,lipo. Roller and the pads you must purchase afterwards.
We feel this is FALSE advertising!
If we can stop one person from going through the pain and suffering.my friend went through then I feel we did all we could do!
It is now the third week of April and my friend is still in the compression garment and had to wear it 23 hours a day! No baths for 4 weeks and all the PAIN!
I eventually received half my money back $5195.00 but I told them if I didn't get something back I would get a lawyer, get ahold of contact 6 and go to social media! But because we went to the pre-opt appointment you sign papers and from that day forward there's no refund. It took over a month to receive my check.
Please if anyone is thinking of doing the tri-sculpt, BEWARE! As my friend will say "yes you do see a difference, BUT it is not worth the pain and suffering she went through and continues to go through"!

On 1/23/2022, I reached out to Sono Bello to have a cosmetic procedure done. I talked to Carrie Coker, a consultant at Sono Bello. When I completed the paperwork, Ms. Coker assigned a NON-BOARD Certified Plastic Surgeon (meaning that the doctor is not listed on abplasticsurgery.org) to perform a mini tummy tuck and smart lipo, although this doctor is certified as a Head and Neck Surgeon. I requested a plastic surgeon to perform my procedure. Ms. Coker admantly resisted my request and became combative and I have not discovered why she did, and it is because THIS COMPANY IS LYING WHEN THEY STATE THEY HAVE HIGHLY BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEONS. These doctors are usually certified in another area, or they are certified as a medical professional, and then via years of experience start performing cosmetic surgery, and they self proclaim themselves as PLASTIC SURGEONS, when they are not and this deceives customers like me to purchase their service thinking they would get a plastic surgeon to perform their surgery when in actuality, the doctors are not plastic surgeons. This company sites lists all over their website that they have hundreds of board certified plastic surgeons and they have failed to produce 1 to me,despite my repeated requests for a plastic surgeon. They continue to assign doctors who are not certified by American Board of Plastic Surgery, and thus their advertising is misleading and fraudulent, and the staff encourages this deceit among customers.

Sales- preop good
Surgery date- 2 hours late and felt during process. Results I look horrible/ disapp

My experience at Sono Bella in Houston/Bellaire was the most disappointing experience I've had in trying to reduce my midsection. For the outrageous prices they charge, I would have lost more midsection fat by walking 2 miles for 1 week and we know that wouldn't do much. They staff was nice, friendly and professional; especially the young man working in the front office. Amy, I believe, is a sales person and not the right person to conduct the initial medical consultation. A doctor or medical professional should assist in the consultation before Amy starts looking at your body and dropping prices. I saved and borrowed for a year for this chance to reduce my midsection and feel ripped off. I may have lost an inch around the waste for $7100 but remember they wanted over $*******. During my medical consultation before surgery I told the sales person what I wanted and she recommended the top/lower abs and planks so that's what i paid for. When i finally got to meet with the surgeon a few days before the surgery he told me immediately I would need a tummy tuck also for a measly extra $4000 or my skin would sag. Remember I saved and borrowed for the $7100 procedure for a year. Now I need $4000 in a week before surgery to get the results I wanted. This is why your consultation should be with a medical professional. The doctor was a great communicator and gentle during surgery. The procedure and instructions after surgery(from pamphlets only) just isn't worth the money. They don't verbally tell you how to care for yourself after treatment and what you need to do for success. No coaching. Just write your check and a thank you…see you in 3 months. For over $7100 I would have just kept my 1 inch of belly that resulted from the procedure than waste my money and time with Sono Bella. Commercials aren't reality; not even close. I am thick/athletic and spin 3-4 times a week so reducing fat in this area after a "$10,000" procedure should have been a success. But it wasn't and I wish I wasn't still paying for this heartbreaking disappointing procedure.

I am so pleased with all the service girls at front desk to nurses to the sergion thnk u so much DR GUTIÉRREZ, ANDRIA, and Victoria and all the staff at Sono bello THE BEST PLACE TO GO

DON'T GO NO WHERE NEAR SONO BELLO ATL OFFICE YOU WILL HATE YOUR SELF! 1ST YOU WILL BE SOLD A DREAM THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE! LITERALLY! DR. BEDFORD WHICH IS FIRED FROM THE COMPANY DUE TO HIGH HIGH COMPLAINTS! DR. BEDFORD HAD NO ENTHUSIASM TO DO HER JOB! AT ALL! DR. BEDFORD LIFT MY EX PROCEDURE UN DONE AND LIPO HALF DONE! I KEPT CALLING FOR MONTHS AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO WAIT 6MONTHS FOR RESULTS! FAST FORWARD DAVE THE PRATICE MANAGER WHICH WAS FIRED! NOTE THAT 2PPL ALREADY GONE FROM THERE! TOLD ME MY STOMACH WOULD POP BACK IN FROM THE EX PROCEDURE NEVER HAPPENED! NOW 6MONTHS LATER AFTER FIGHTING WITH THEM OVER AND OVER DR. BOOTSTAYLOR LOOKED ME OVER AND SAID I SHOULD HAVE HAD AN TRADITIONAL TUMMY TUCK AND SHE WOULD NOT TOUCH ME! SO THEY GOT DR. MOODY INVOLVED AND SHE REMOVED THE SKIN THAT DR. BEDFORD DIDNT FINISH! MY BODY UNDER GONE 4 SURGERY AND IT STILL NOT RIGHT! THEY LIE TO YOU TO GET YOUR MONEY! THE STAFF IS HIGH TURN OVER! IT HAS BEEN A REALLY ROUGH ROAD! I CRY WHEN I SEE A SONO BELLO COMMERCIAL! PLEASE PPL I COULD GO ON AND ON! JUST RUN! NEVER GO TO THIS PLACE FOR ANYTHING!

I left a lengthy review of how horrible my experience was with Sono Bello after spending over 20,000. I just want people to know when they respond to your comments below saying they are sorry and they will contact you or ask you to contact them may take weeks to get any response. I tried emailing them at the contact that that was given to me and an unknown # contacted my phone. My phone doesn't ring on unknown calls but allows for the person to leave a message. The person left a message saying she was a part of a support team that contacted people who have had any negative comments about their experience. I called the number back several times over a period of two weeks. I left messages and even resent emails only to receive air silence. Finally 3 weeks later someone got back with me. I want to make an update that I have been speaking with someone from Sonobello corporate I believe. They have looked into my case and agreed that the Dr. that was doing my surgery was absolutely out of line. This Dr. was telling me (all while I was screaming in pain and urinating myself) that he would not clean it and that if I did not stop yelling he would stop the surgery and I would never be able to come back. This man was horrible. He was a monster. Bad bedside manner is an understatement. There was also an older nurse who was talking bad about me saying I just wanted pain medicine. You do not get sedated while they are cutting you open. You only get one pain pill and one Valium. They say because it's less invasive but this is all a lie. You are being cut open very deep over and over. You are wide awake and can feel it all. After she was saying those things I asked that she not come near me or touch me as she was already being rough with me. The Dr. commented I should be nice because it's her birthday. This was unbelievable. Finally, the younger nurse that was in the room who was being very kind to me, went to get the manager to finish watching the procedure. As for the older nurse that was being rude to me, she started pulling on my suit after surgery, she was deliberately pinching my skin that had open wounds all the way up my body. This was something I would never wish anyone to go through. I stay up every night thinking about what they did to me. I look down at my body and see that not only was the surgery botched but they left scars on my legs that make me look like Frankenstein. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I truly hope that we can reach some sort of solution.

I would give zero stars if I could.

I am 50. I had the tri-sculpt procedure performed at the Charlotte office by Dr. Vega about 1.5 years ago. I was very excited about my "day of transformation" as the consultant called it but that quickly faded.

I was never measured pre-surgery for my initial post-surgery binder. As I was coming out of the procedure and the nurses were wrapping me in the binder they asked if it was too tight. I said I wasn't sure then they asked me if I could breathe and I said yes.

A couple of days later I noticed a "ridge" forming where the binder was wrapped to my skin. I texted/called and was told to put a light cotton tank on. This did not resolve the issue. I called a couple of days later and spoke to the then practice manager and she suggested massaging it and getting lymphatic drainage massages.

Neither worked, and in fact the massage therapist was concerned that this "ridge" was perhaps fluid that needed to be drained. I made an appointment with Dr. Vega to see if that was the case, but no, it was not fluid. The "ridge" was permanent. It was suggested at that time I get an "ab board" to help shape my muscles while they continued to heal.
That didn't work either.
At my final check in I expressed my concerns yet again about my misshapen abdomen. I was told that's just my body/shape. I told them although I had a belly pre-surgery it did not have ridges.

So I am disfigured and am going to research if I have any ability to file suit.

Separately from how unhappy I am with my results, the general impression I got after my first few visits was "unprofessional". I had to wait 20-30 minutes after arriving on time and while the staff was friendly enough, they should note a patient can hear everything while waiting in the patient room to be seen. I heard Dr. Vega hollering down the hallway to a nurse and actually heard another doctor discussing how he had picked someone up at the bar the night before. Also, not very clean. I would expect more sterile conditions but in the exam rooms you can see hair and other debris that looks like it's been there before.

Do yourself a favor, do not believe the hype and find a local board-certified surgeon that does not have to advertise - it's a racket.
I wish I had but their marketing is pretty compelling.

I talked to Julie from the Sonobello Troy office about a LaserLipo procedure. When I talked to her I was under the prior impression that it was much different from regular lipo, much less invasive. She told me that they still had to go under the skin, but the procedure was much different than "regular" liposuction, using a laser making it minimally invasive and less traumatic to the body. She told me you had to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks after. I had scheduled a cruise and did not want to wear a garment on it, so she helped me schedule an appointment in Cleveland (3 hour drive and requiring hotel stay) so I would be garment free by time of cruise. Put $1000 down. Went to Clevelend to have procedure on February 19,2022. Met doctor for preop on 2-18-2022, and it was not the doctor I had been sent me a profile for in preop information packet. Then he told me, no, I was mistaken, it was regular lipo, the laser was only small part of procedure. He apologized for their sales people. Then I was told I had to wear garment for 3 months. Once again, apologized to about sales staffs bad info. I was so scared by this point I called office and told them I was frightened. A business manager from Cleveland called me back, apologized profusely for my experience, and told me they didn't normally give refunds, but I would get a full one. She said she could tell how scared I was, could see why, and shouldn't do an elective surgery feeling that way. I went home, still paying hundreds for trip. Once home, Julie left a message saying I would be getting no refund, and if I had put $2000 down I would have lost that too. I called the sales manager from Cleveland multiple times and left messages for her to call me back, since she is the one who told me I would get a full refund. She was always "in a meeting" and never returned any of my calls. What reputable business does that? I feel I am a victim of fraud at the very least, and possibly medical negligence.

Sono Bello needs to address their consumers with complaints...

Edina, Minnesota Oct 17,2016 361 views 3 comments
Review #******* by anonymous. I am retracting the date of my surgery. It was 09/28/2015. Sorry about that typo.

I am now a year and 1 month post surgery. I hate my body. What I have noticed is that the areas where fat was removed, fat has settled in the areas below. For example, I my upper abs/bra roll done. I kept noticing about 6 months after my long sleeve shirts were tight in my upper arms. And my jeans that I wore the day I had the surgery done over a year ago are skin tight in the upper leg area! I been reading posts and blogs for months and talking with women who have had the same procedure as myself. Guess what?

They are complaining about the same thing!

I knew it wasn't just me!

I made appointment to go in and show Dr. Volk what has been happening. He just had a half *** grin on his face. He said lets see how much you weigh. He had me get on the scale and said I've gained weight and that's why I look like this.

Dr. Volk said, lose some weight and come back and I will de-bulk your abdomen.

I'm like. I want my money back! I told him I am going to tell everyone how I have been mislead as to what my results would be.

See what they purposely do not tell you is that the women in the commercials and the pictures have had many procedures done to achieve the look that you see.

The average women as myself after spending$8000. 00 will see minimal to no change. Infact you will see change, but in my case negative change. Now what am I to do?

I am not going to stop until I get my money back.

If there is an Attorney out there whom thinks they can be of some help with my case post your information. And as for Sono Bello.

How can you just"ROB" women like myself of who have been lured into your scam?

When I get my money back I will stop and move on with my life and be happy with my body the way it is...

I will be waiting to hear from Sono Bello.

So stay tuned, it's not over.

This review is a subjective opinion of a user.
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What I liked
No items
What I disliked
Pushing their services
Horrible experience one i will forever regret
Excuses they gave for poor results
Sales fake
Complaint not being addressed
Reason of review:
Mislead on results of surgery
Preferred solution:
Full refund
Monetary loss:
$8000
Product or service
Sono Bello Liposuction Procedure
Sono Bello Liposuction Procedure
Review category
Hospitals, Clinics and Medical Centers, Doctors
Review #******* by anonymous