Sono Bello

My consultation was not what i expected, I felt like i was buying a car not having surgery. The nurses and Dr. Hsu were very kind, the procedure was painless for me but the aftermath was rough. It has been 2 months and I am still lumpy and uneven around my abdomen. I am still having numbness and visible scars on my sides. I also paid for entire abdomen but for some reason they only did around my belly button and left the upper abdomen untouched. I have received and filled out many «questionnaires» with no response back. I believe they only want positive feedback. Please really ask and research before going into this procedure. The experience i would give a «B» the results I would give a «C-​» so far… They don’t tell you everything in the consultation but when you have your pre-​op appointment is when you are hit with everything, and by then its too late. YOU CANNOT GET A REFUND IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND!!! Please be aware of that. They do not tell you this but it is in the papers you sign. I don’t know that I would have done it knowing what I know now. I am 45 6’1 200lbs I was not grossly over weight I just wanted a little help in some areas. Also your cost does not include your medications nor compression garments.

Men: Don’t waste your $ 5,000 on laser-​lipo unless you know all the facts up front (facts they don’t tell you until after they get your non-​refundable money). (That’s why I am giving this a 2 star review – because of the sneaky bait and switch.) Some of you may know how lazer lipo works and what it does, but that is not universal knowledge across the world, and you may not know what questions to ask before it is too late. I had initially found Sono Bello on a Google search and ended up chatting with an online rep who assured me that «Sono Bello could get rid of my beer gut» (That is a verbatim statement). When I went for the in-​person consultation, I was advised they could help me get rid of my stomach fat. Sounded great! I paid the money, and in a few days I came back and had a pre-​op consultation with the surgeon. During this pre-​op discussion, the surgeon asked me what I wanted to get out of this procedure. I said a flat stomach. He shook his head and said that that was not going to happen from the procedure alone. He explained that lazer-​lipo could trim me down some and get rid of loose surface fat, but it could not touch the «inner fat», which is under muscle. (Why didn’t the consultant tell me that before I paid the money?) The inner fat that a lazer cannot reach is 90% of my bad looking beer gut. He said that could only be helped through diet and exercise. Well, he wasn’t kidding. As the money was non-​refundable at that point, i went through the procedure (upper abs, lower abs, and waist «love handles»). Now, 3 months later, I look like a freak. I have tighter skin pulled over a fat disgusting gut and pronounced love handles. The gut is even more pronounced now as the excess cover fat was removed. I look ridiculous with a displayed gut and pronounced big love handles. So, now I’m on Nutri-​System. (I have no choice, I look so ridiculous now). Had Sono Bello been upfront with me, I never would have proceeded with this. HMMMM – guess that answer is obvious from their perspective. They should have given me ALL the information upfront –information I did not know to ask – and information I’m sure they are WELL aware not everybody knows from the get-​go (that lazers can’t touch inner fat, or even the difference or existence of inner fat as distinguished from outer fat). The online rep said my beer gut would be gone, and that was good enough for me! WOO HOO! The answer to my prayers! NOT! So. now I have a feeling once I get through this pain in the ass Nutri System and lose weight – which will take months – I will probably not have even needed Sono Bello in the first place, as I am not going from 300 lbs to 150 lbs and will not have a lot of saggy excess weight once I shed the pounds (I am an average sized guy with a belly). THAT is really ONLY what the lazers are for (LOOSE EXCESS SKIN), if you have that kind of a situation. I wanted a quick fix. I figured $ 5,000 could do a quick fix, but, as with most things, there are no miracles, and anything that is too good to be true, always is. I’m pretty savvy, normally, but I was caught up in the magic as this was really important to me, NOT to have to go through annoying diet and exercise – otherwise, why would I bother with this at all? I am giving 2 stars because the staff, nurse, and surgeon are extremely nice, and professional, and the office is classy, in BH, and not some fly by night shlocky medical office. Very upscale – so they need credit where it is due. And, it is due, in these aspects. So, back to the issue, this is another example of BUYER BEWARE, and BE INFORMED! Do your research on cosmetic procedures, as the facility may not direct your attention to or focus you to ALL the NECESSARY issues that you need to know upfront! You need to know in the very beginning what this procedure CAN and CANNOT do. Period.

I wish I could give this place 0 star. First off, i received a call at 10:30 reminding me of a noon appointment. The lady that called me says, «Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to call yesterday…» I’m sorry, I thought that was in your job description. She was nice however. It took about 40 minutes after that for them to call me back. However, when you say «consultation,» I’m expecting to see a doctor, not a dumb made-​up wanna be barbie. Her name is Ashley. I spoke to her for about 5 minutes at the most, she looked at my abdomen, said that I would look 10x better after the procedure. She is very pushy and I guess felt some type of way when I said I would think about it. She got up and told me to follow her to the front, and without explaining anything else or any other procedures, gives me the pricelist, and walks back into her office. Then when I asked about the internet price $ 1295/​area, her reply was «That’s for small people.» How rude and inconsiderate… I am 5’6, 160, so I know I’m not huge, but you don’t say these types of things to people you want to be your future customers. Its a false advertisement and a **scam to get you to come in. I was quoted $ 1750/​area. Anyways, I wanted to tell that clown Ashley, I can change my size and waistline, but you can’t change ugly! So keep wearing all that makeup, looking like a clown, and injecting botox into your saggy skin on your face. Then when I asked the lady at the front about seeing the doctor, she said I would see the doctor when I paid to have the procedure done. Lol. I’m sorry, Ashley is no doctor, don’t think she could’ve ever made it, not even through cosmetology school. When I see the world consult, I expect to see a doctor or at least an NP. I don’t recommend this place even for your dog. You’ll regret dealing with these scammers and rude staff, especially Ms. Ashley, the wanna be MD/​Barbie consultant.

Hi Everyone, here is my Sono bello story
I am sure like everyone who saw commercial on TV got so excited about Laser procedure that Sono Bello Advertise. But is not all like they say on TV or on their website. On their Website prices advertise As low as $ 1295 per area*- BIG FALSE SCAM .
Per my calculation base on prices they advertise on their website for 6 Area (Chin, Chest, Sides and Abdomen) I supposed to pay about 7700 dollars… When I arrived there my appointment was at 9 am I was waiting almost an hour to go on consultation and was shock that prices are not the way advertise, that is completely different. Lady that consulted me quoted me 14 000 dollars. I ASKED HER I WON’T FEEL SORRY IF THIS REALLY WORKS, I DON’T WANT TO THROW THIS MONEY AND AFTER FEEL SORRY ALL FOR NOTHING. She told me do not worry We Guaranty you will be more than satisfy. I came back home, I watched videos, read reviews but still was very sceptic. Finally when I arrived for my Surgery I was Hopping after will be as they said. Doctor John F. Hsu was performing surgery on me. After Surgery I was resting and it was not free of pain as they said, swelling was real big, more bigger than before surgery. One month later I was instructed to come for first follow up visit swelling was still big maybe even bigger, but DOCTOR NEVER EXAMINED ME just a Nurse. She told me all will goes down don’t worry, need to take at least 4 – 6 months. I was only Hopping even I was scare that just throw 14 000 dollars for Nothing. 2 months after surgery swelling went down but not completely, I look at on mirror my belly button was unusually wide and big and a cut that was made above belly button make my stomach to look like i have 2 belly buttons now, when i touch my belly button i can feel it was cut from inside and is no more connected… Also I was checking my chest and see left breast looks almost the same like before surgery, more saggy skin biger completely uneven .My chin has improved just a little a very little not big differences from
I called to speak with doctor John F. Hsu but he was again unavailable (looks like he avoiding me) Again Nurse told me she will make appointment for him to see me in a month. on August 27 my appointment with a Doctor John F. Hsu was at 2 pm, since I am never late i arrived 20 min earlier, receptionist check me in, and I was waiting .at 2 .05 pm I ask Receptionist isn’t my appointment at 2 pm, she told me it’s been only 3 minutes and that i have to wait. I told her I have to go back to work and I been trying to see this doctor since he did surgery but he never showed up she said just wait. I was sitting than Look at a clock it was already 30 min past 2 pm doctor John F. Hsu did not show up. I told her please I have to go back to work I can’t wait no more reschedule me and call me .OF COURSE I NEVER GOT A CALL FROM RECEPTIONIST NOR FROM DOCTOR JOHN HSU… This is my honest experience with SONO BELLO I hope this will help to make right Decision.

where can I start? I scheduled my appointment early June for a Saturday consultation because my schedule during the week is very tight with work and kids. I waited over a month for this appointment!!! I don’t live up the street from the Beverly location, took me 45 minutes to get there. My appointment was at 5pm on July 11, 2015, (I arrived on time) I walked in and the receptionist asked me who I was and she said she was trying to call me to confirm my appointment (which I got no miss calls) the doctor was gone for the day !!! like really??? I occasionally check my emails and I did have an email from them asking if I was going to show. the email was send 25 minutes before my appointment. how was I going to check my email while driving towards the place on the freeway going 70 mph to make it on time???
waste of my time!!!
that doctor needs to stay at work until the end of his or her shift!!!

Read all of this before you make your decision.
************A 5 STAR EXPERIENCE
CHANGED TO A 1 STAR!******************
1−30−15: The staff is amazing. Christine made our experience very comfortable and with a wealth of knowledge the staff has with these types of procedures we came into this with an ease and confidence. I will be recommending this to other people that are looking for a jump start to a new out look on healthiness.
3−19−15: So, fast forward 7 weeks… my husbands surgical procedure and follow up was a great experience. My experience has been nothing like his. To start, the chair in which I was asked to lay back on to have my IV placed had been looked at earlier in the morning due to it needing repairs was not set properly and upon sitting and leaning back the chair tipped over and pinned me between it and the wall. I was sedated and unable to get out of the situation and due to my size and height my husband, who was 6 days post-​op from the same surgery had to lift me up. The nurse in the room was very kind and apologetic and had no idea the repair hadn’t been completed on the chair. She is a WONDERFUL nurse and has provided excellent follow up care. Following my procedure with Dr. Dass, an AMAZING doctor (so NO complaints there) the nursing staff squeezed me into a garment that was too small (which they had my measurements for 2 weeks prior to my surgery to make sure they had appropriate sized garments to send me home in) and didn’t ensure the amount of fluids that could be drained were drained. When the staff (a different nurse than the excellent one from the pre-​op portion of the day) stood me up I drained a lot of fluid /​blood all over my legs (which I had compression stockings on) and all over the floor. I was sent home with blood /​fluid covered stockings which are required for 24 hours after surgery. Once out of the car, 5 blood /​fluid filled maxi pads fell out of my poorly fitting garment and I continued to drain fluids all over the ground /​floor. Can we say BioHazard?! We contacted SonoBello and asked if they had an appropriate sized garment in which we were told I was placed in the appropriate size garment. Upon further investigation by SonoBello only because of my complaining that the garment was so small and tight that I couldn’t breath and felt like I was being smothered since I could not take normal size breaths, they realized that I indeed was placed in a garment that was too small and offered me an appropriate sized garment. I asked if they could have a courier service bring me the garment since I was only one day post op and was not supposed to be left alone. Christine, the office manager informed me that they do not have a courier service. My husband then had to leave me alone and drive over an hour each way to the office to pick up the correct garment. Following my two week post op appointment it was determined that I needed a Smaller compression garment for stage two. It was special ordered and I received it one week later as promised. This was offered complementary from SonoBello for my continued issues that I had been dealing with. After a week and a half of waiting for my next stage garment to arrive I had to call the office and inquire where it was. I was informed that it was A special order and they didn’t know why I had not received it yet. When I questioned Christine, the office manager as to why she had not followed up with the garment company she stated once the garment company had called to confirm the size she was done with any sort of follow up after that and offered me, the patient a phone number if I wanted to follow-​up to see where my garment was rather than her following up. Speaking of the compression garments… It was implied during our consultation that we would be provided with all of the necessary compression garments for all stages of this procedure. Come to find out, after spending enough money to purchase a car, we the patients are given one garment to be sent home in and are required to purchase the rest of the garments required for all of the stages of healing.
So now what do we do? Neither one of us feel comfortable going to our three month post op appointment to have to deal with the awkward situation that we are now in.

From beginning to end, I had an enjoyable experience with Dr Dass, the Sono Bello staff and my procedure. From a personal standpoint, this procedure has been life changing for me. I have so much more confidence in how my clothes fit. I have strongly recommended Sono Bello to those around me. Feel free to share with whomever. Thank you!

Complete and absolute waste of time. The worst deal you can get in town. Absolutely disgusting the way they treat you.

I’ve had smart lipo before on my lower abdomen, thighs, and knees. Those results were amazing. I was so happy I wanted to get my upper abdomen done, but unfortunately my previous plastic surgeon no longer accepted in house financing, money was tight, and my aging clock was ticking faster and faster. Sono Bello was recommended to me (but by a person in Portland, OR), so I went for it. It was conscious sedation (totally sedated before). The surgery was rough (conscious sedation and I felt the WHOLE thing), and I was so swollen and sick after, but it was self-​induced so I sucked it up. When I went to my 3 month follow up, I showed the staff all pf my uneven hard/​stiff areas within my upper abdomen. Their reply was give it another 3 months, I was a slow healer (no doc at this visit). It was still horrible. A different doctor came in, because apparently the doctor who had done my surgery «was out on an indefinite medical leave»…hummmm? Ok whatever, I then showed him my abs and he said «oh ya, I see the lumps and I can feel how hard it is, but sorry nothing we can do. You may not have worn the compression garment incorrectly». That was it. When I again inquired if there were any options to correct this, he shook his head no, apologized, and said this rarely happens. I was so surprised, I left in a haze of confusion. It looks awful! As a result of this weird lumpiness and hardness, my abds stick out almost farther then they did before. Since the surgery I have gone on a strict work out/​reduced calorie intake program. I have lost 17lbs (totally unrelated to the surgery), and my abdomen still protrudes. I am not sure if I CAN flatten it, because exercise and diet isn’t working. I am a huge supporter of Smart Lipo, my first doc was AWESOME (Dr. Hendericks in Newport Beach… I am not employed by him or gain anything by promoting him). but stay away from this place… at least for Smart Lipo.

I came in to Sono Bello and the first impression I got from the place is its just not professional. I walked in an the receptionist seemed so confused of why I was there. It’s not welcoming and it doesn’t even feel like a cosmetic surgery office. I definitely did not feel comfortable just being there so I walked out. Avoid it if you can!

Sono Bello is the «puppy mill» of cosmetic surgery. The staff turn over rate of the is extremely high and it shows. The receptionists always seem to be confused as to why people are coming or going and the communication between front and back staff is greatly lacking.
Back when I had my surgery (my very first cosmetic surgery), i felt pressured into making a quick decision about my procedure by tone of he «counselors» and then when I made my appointment, i was called a number of times to schedule and then reschedule my surgery appointment. I was very nervous when I went in for my surgery and I could NOT believe that one of the counselors came into the surgery suite and stood there talking to the Dr while he was doing surgery on MY BODY! I was laying there shaking and basically freaking out and they were just talking and laughing like it was no big deal. If I could’ve gotten up and walked out then, I would have.
While dealing with pre op and post op appointments, the manager quite and a new one took her place. Notes and records were lost and even Dr Rollins commented that no one knew what was going on in that place. Dr Rollins and his head nurse Karen were both great (by the way, they have both since left Sono Bello and are currently working elsewhere) but dealing with all the confusion and drama in that office put me off in a BIG way.
Even when I brought all this up to the new manager, she didn’t seem to care the least bit that parts of my body were kinda messed up and other parts weren’t even done. I had to go back in for a redo and she told me that if I wanted the other parts done I’d have to schedule another whole surgery. Uh, I don’t think so. I had just spent over $ 10k on 2 different procedures and they treated me as if I just bought a $ 2 sandwich.
I can NOT urge you enough to stay away from Sono Bello. I just had another surgery (non cosmetic) done and realized that not all practices are ran this way. Sono Bello is after your money and that’s it. They are not doing business in a way that will keep their patients coming back. If you want to be treated with respect and have an easy surgical process, this is not the place for you. Go find another Dr and do some research; you will be happy that you did.

had the best experience with Dr Aaron Rollins, the staff was so nice and I didn’t really felt like I was getting A medical procedure done all thanks too the wonderful and magic hands of Dr Aaron Rollins, the guy is truly and artist! he did my chin and love handles back in november, and I seriously feel like my life tooK a full on spin I’m coming back for my chin first week of april but he doesn’t work at sonobello anymore, he’s now at elite bodysculpture on Bedford Dr which is the same building as Dr Ray from 90 210! OMGGG… go on elitebodysculpture to see samples of he’s works of art!

l think the world of Dr. Rollins. He did an amazing job for me and is positively brilliant. I just love him! The staff was all very nice but when I went back for my follow up appointment, none of the people I dealt with still worked there. The turnover bothered me but all in all I am very happy!