Weight loss is something that many of us struggle constantly against. For some people, it’s as simple as simply dieting and exercising while others fail to achieve results no matter how hard they try. If you’ve been losing the fight against the stubborn fat in your body, laser liposuction might be the right step for you.
Sono Bello proudly markets itself as the #1 cosmetic surgery specialist center in America for its laser liposuction procedures. But does SonoBello really work how they claim? In this article, we’ll talk about the different procedures that they provide as well as paint a picture of what you can expect from their services.
Sono Bello Procedures
Sono Bello offers multiple procedures across their 60 plus locations and 135 board-certified surgeons. Their primary and most popular procedure is micro-laser liposuction. Other than that, you’ll also find procedures for cellulite reduction and excess skin removal.
The company promises that its surgeries are minimally invasive and done under local anesthesia for faster results and less time-intensive recovery. These procedures can be used for treatment on a wide range of areas in your body such as the abs, waist, chest, chin, back, arms, and legs.
The results can differ depending on which procedure you’re getting. So, before you start wondering if they’re going to work on that stubborn piece of fat, you need to first understand how they work and what you can expect.
TriSculpt Micro-Laser Lipo
TriSculpt is Sono Bello’s laser fat removal procedure. Most of the advertisements you’ve come across are about this treatment. If you’ve got an area in your body that you can’t get to via diet and exercise, this procedure permanently removes the unwanted fat from that area. It’s a three-step procedure that includes:
- Localized Awake Anesthesia
- Powe-Assisted Liposuction
- Micro-Laser Assisted Liposuction
A surgeon extracts the fat from your body through a small incision with the use of microcannulas. A low-power laser is then used to break down smaller packets of fat and apply the finishing touches. You’ll be anesthetized locally, and given medication to relax during the procedure.
Venus Freeze and Venus Legacy
The Venus Freeze and Venus Legacy are non-invasive procedures used to treat cellulite. Sono Bello reports that these procedures use magnetic pulses along with radiofrequency to help you enhance your natural figure. This can take as few as 5 sessions to shape, trim and tighten your problem areas.
TriSculpt E/X Micro-Sculpting
If your skin isn’t elastic enough then you might end up with saggy skin after the laser fat removal. The TriSculpt E/X Micro-Sculpting procedure combines the TriSculpt Micro-Laser fat removal with excess skin removal after the procedures. This ensures that you don’t have any sagging or loose areas such as the lower abdomen.
Other than these procedures, Sono Bello also provides specialized procedures for mothers after childbirth, male chest reduction, and chin fat removal.
Realistic Results and Expectations
Now that you’ve got an idea about the procedures offered by Sono Bello, it’s time to talk about what kind of results you can expect. These procedures are used for fat removal and contouring your body to fit the image that you want. However, they’re not a solution for obesity or a weight-loss shortcut.
Our adult bodies have a particular amount of fat cells. Through exercise and dieting, you’re able to shrink those cells and therefore, appear thinner. Laser fat removal permanently removes those fat cells. However, it’s not realistic that you’ll be able to remove all your fat cells. So, if you gain weight, you can expect those remaining fat cells to grow accordingly as well.
The key thing to bear in mind is that you’re investing in a lifestyle change. This means you won’t be able to maintain your shape unless you eat healthily and exercise. Laser fat removal won’t make you permanently retain your body shape, but what it will do is make it easier to maintain your body and get rid of fat from the pesky areas that remain unaffected through diet and exercise.
The general rule when getting one of these procedures is that you should be within 30 pounds of your desired weight. Although Sono Bello claims that the operation could be performed in a day with recovery typically being under a week, it depends vastly from patient to patient. It’s very possible that you might need to get several revisions before you finally reach your desired result.
The overall effectiveness of these procedures will vary for everyone. So, if you’re considering getting one, you should keep in mind that the reality might be very different than the poster “Before-and-After” photos that they’ll show you.
Are the Procedures Safe?
Just like every other medical procedure, you might face a few inherent risks when getting one from Sono Bello as well. You may experience a bit of mild bleeding from where the incision was made. The site of the incision might also develop an infection.
Micro-laser liposuction is a minimally invasive surgery that is relatively safer than other more invasive cosmetic surgeries. However, you might still run into a few complications with the local anesthesia such as forming blood clots. You should definitely inform your doctor about any prior medical condition or medications that you’ve taken. We weren’t able to find any records of a serious injury during the procedure.
You might face additional complications if you don’t follow the necessary precautions during recovery. Smoking might also cause issues with healing.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Possible side effects may include scarring or bumps at the site of the treatment. Some people might experience the treated skin pulling away due to not healing properly. It’s also possible that you might experience numbness or a tingling sensation due to nerve damage.
The most common side effect of one of these procedures is the physical irregularities that you may end up with. Some people reported having weathered and wrinkled skin and uneven fat bulge after the operation.
While Sono Bello claims that the procedure isn’t very painful, there are several accounts of people experiencing otherwise. Since the operation is done under local anesthesia instead of a general one, you’re awake throughout the entire process which might be quite discomforting and sometimes agonizing.
Customer Reviews
When looking through past customer accounts, we found people with both positive and negative experiences. Most of the reviews were either overwhelmingly positive or overwhelmingly negative with very few in the middle. Here are some of the ones we’ve collected so you can get a clearer picture of the Sono Bello experience.
Positive Reviews
- One reviewer mentioned how their experience was to the point and ended without any complication. She was given a clear idea of what she could expect and how much it was going to cost her. Although her appointment wasn’t on time, the process itself went smoothly once it started. She experienced only minor pain during the operation and recovery and she’s happy with the change in her quality of life post-procedure.
- Another 5-star review mentioned how a customer had a great experience at Sono Bello. They had their waist, stomach, and back done at the Sacramento location where the staff was outstanding and the consultation was very helpful. She also mentioned how she didn’t feel anything during the procedure and that she was delighted to be able to touch her toes once again.
Negative Reviews
- Problems with customer service were one of the issues highlighted in several of the negative experiences. As stated by one reviewer, she had an amazing experience when she went in for her free consultation. After the procedure, she wanted to get a revision done as she had a bulge on one side of her stomach but couldn’t reach anyone for months. After she was finally able to reach someone, she was told that the clinic didn’t have enough nurses and they would have to call her back. She noted that she gave up on getting a revision after a few months and now has a permanent deformity.
- In another negative review, a woman mentioned the excruciating pain she felt during the procedure. According to her, it was worse than when she gave birth to her three children. She was only put under local anesthesia and given 0.5mg of Xanax to relax. During the operation, the doctor told her that if she didn’t stay still, he would have to stop the operation. She also added that the results after 6 months didn’t match what she had been told to expect.
The Cost
Sono Bello states that their procedures start from $1395 per area. However, their definition of an area is very vague. So, it’s hard to get an estimate of how much it’ll cost without a consultation. You’re given one in-person consultation for free.
Bear in mind that the overall cost of your operation will be a lot higher when the operating room fee and other fees are factored in. Sono Bello has had a dodgy history of dealing with customer refunds, so make sure you read the fine print thoroughly and ask whatever question you might have before you sign anything. A couple of furrowed brows now might just save you a lot of future headaches.
The Bottom Line
Getting any cosmetic procedure done can be a risky endeavor. Sono Bello promises that their procedures will give you quicker results and faster recovery times than other similar ones. But, does SonoBello really work the way they say they do? While, the sentiment around Sono Bello is quite mixed, the only way to tell whether or not their procedures will work depends on your body type and level of expectations.
When getting any kind of cosmetic surgery, you need to be realistic about what your experience will be like. Your experience may vary from other patients. Since our bodies are all unique in their own ways, your best bet is to actually go to a free consultation to get an idea about the procedure first. We also highly recommend getting a second opinion from a different surgeon before you decide to deposit anything.
Hi, my name is Alley, and I’m a pharmacist. I have had 10 years of experience in this field, and it has helped me understand the importance of good health. I have published many articles on cost-effective healthcare and its importance. as well as how to stay healthy and places to visit for cost-effective healthcare.