The Sono Bello Patient Experience: What to Expect Every Step of the Way

Choosing to pursue body contouring or cosmetic enhancement is a deep personal  decision. At Sono Bello, we understand that this journey is more than about how you look, but rather, it’s about confidence, comfort, and getting your body (and life) back!

If you’re deciding whether body contouring or fat removal is right for you, you may be wondering what the patient experience is from start to finish.  We’ll walk you through every step of the Sono Bello experience, from initial conversations to personalized treatments, recovery, and beyond, so you can make the best, fully informed choice for you with total confidence. 

The Sono Bello process at a glance:

• “Get to Know Each Other” Phase: At Sono Bello, having your procedure is not a transaction, but rather, a relationship. Like all relationships, we truly believe that the foundation should be based on trust and comfort with each other. 
• Complimentary consultation for preliminary information gathering
• Pre-operative consultation with an experienced body contouring surgeon specialist
• Procedure  in a fully accredited surgical center with an entire team of health care professionals dedicated to you
• Structured and supportive follow-up and recovery

Step One: Deciding if Sono Bello Is Right for You

Sono Bello offers three primary categories of procedures:

• Liposuction
• Excess Skin Removal (AbEX™ and LiftEX®)
• Non-Surgical Cellulite Reduction and Lymphatic Massage

Each treatment plan is personalized — never one-size-fits-all. During your journey, you’ll work with experienced medical professionals who tailor your procedure to your unique anatomy, goals, and lifestyle.

Here are some things to think about when considering procedures with Sono Bello: 

• Are you looking to lose weight, or are you looking to contour and reshape specific areas resistant to diet and exercise? Liposuction is designed to shape, contour, and make you “smaller” for those concerned areas. And while weight loss will occur (since fat has weight), it is not for weight loss.
• Are you within a stable weight range? Body contouring procedures are generally best suited for patients who are near their goal weight.  However, at Sono Bello, we realize that at times, you may benefit from a jump start.  We’re happy to share that many patients have successfully gone on to lose more weight after their treatment – which in general only makes the outcome even that much better!
• Have you reached a point where lifestyle changes have plateaued? For many patients, liposuction may serve as a viable option.  We’ll discuss with you if liposuction may be right for you.
• Is loose skin your primary concern, or is it stubborn fat? The right procedure depends on properly identifying which issue is driving your frustration. Many times, it’s both the fat and the skin. At Sono Bello, we have options which can safely and effectively address both loose skin and fat in one setting!
• Is cellulite a concern? You might be a candidate for non-surgical cellulite reduction and skin tightening sessions. 
• Are you prepared for recovery time and post-procedure care? Understanding the healing process is part of determining whether this is the right step for you. At Sono Bello, we understand that the post-procedural period of recovery and healing are when you may need the most support. You may have questions regarding proper healing, symptoms, swelling, exercise, or work! Because we know this, we are here for you. We are only a phone call away – 24 hours a day!
• Have you discussed your goals with a qualified experienced surgeon? A consultation is where candidacy, safety, and deep understanding of what to expect (or not) are formally done.  We strive to be transparent and honest – even if honesty is not what you want to hear. 

Step Two: Your Complimentary Consultation

Once you’ve done your research, the next step is scheduling a free, in-person consultation. Appointments are typically available within about a week.

Your consultation lasts approximately 30–45 minutes and is designed to be informative and supportive.

What Happens During Your Consultation?

1. Medical Intake
   We take safety as our number 1 priority.  As such, it’s critical for you to provide your full medical history,  current medications, and any relevant health conditions to your Patient Care Consultant. This information helps determine your well-being and procedural options that are best tailored for you.  There are times when we may advise you to NOT have any procedure if we feel that is in your best interest.  
2. Goal Discussion
   You’ll meet with a Patient Care Consultant to discuss what you hope to achieve. We want you to feel comfortable, and understand that discussing your insecurities may be difficult. We work with patients every day to achieve the body they want, and we don’t take you for granted. There is no shame in the process. 
3. Preliminary Plan & Education
   After reviewing your goals, we’ll put together a treatment plan customized to your unique body and goals. This will include: 
   • Identifying which procedure(s) are right for you and most importantly, the why behind our recommendations. 
   • Selecting an experienced, qualified surgeon in your area who specializes in those procedures.
   • Outlining an individualized recovery plan to have in place for after the surgery.
   • Thoroughly answering questions and concerns you may have.
   • Providing you with necessary resources and educational materials regarding your procedure and recovery.
4. Customized Quote & Scheduling
   You’ll receive a personalized quote and review payment or financing options. There’s no pressure: you can schedule your procedure when you feel ready.
5. Surgeon Evaluation (Pre-Op Appointment)
   Before surgery, you’ll visit your nearby Sono Bello location to meet with your highly-trained and experienced surgeon, who will evaluate your medical history and provide you with everything you need to know (informed consent) to ensure that you feel fully comfortable and confident with your decision. This is when the surgeon will partner with you to discuss if you are a good candidate, if this is safe, and to answer any and all questions by you and others involved with your decision.  We believe the best patients are fully informed, fully confident, and fully prepared.

Our goal is transparency. We want you to feel fully informed before making your decision.

Step Three: Preparing for Your Procedure

Proper preparation helps:

• Ensure a smooth experience and optimal results.
• Ensure you’re ready for your procedure
• Ensure you’re confident with expected results
• Plan for recovery and downtime, including time off work as needed

Your surgeon will provide individualized pre-operative instructions, but generally patients are advised to:

• Stop consuming caffeine at least 48 hours before surgery
• Stay well-hydrated in the days leading up to the procedure
• Eat a light meal the morning of surgery (if instructed)
• Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward and stay with you for the first 24 hours 
• Plan for appropriate recovery and healing.  There is no right or wrong answer as each patient is different.  We ask that you listen to your body and exercise common sense.  But to this end, we’ll provide you with general guidelines that is suitable for most patients.

Some patients consider losing additional weight before liposuction. This isn’t always necessary, so it’s important to discuss your goals with your surgeon.

Clear communication and careful preparation are key components of a safe and successful outcome.

Step Four: Procedure Day

This is the day you’ve been prepping for! Now that you’ve done your own thorough research, established a relationship with your surgeon, and prepared yourself both emotionally and physically, it’s time for your transformation. 

In just a few short hours, you’ll be done with your procedure and ready to start the last step of your patient experience: recovery. In the meantime, here’s what happens at your procedure, step-by-step. 

What happens when you arrive?

• Check-in
• Paperwork
• Meeting your care team
• Pre-procedure prep 

How does procedure day differ depending on treatment type? 

Liposuction

Sono Bello uses localized comfort anesthesia for liposuction procedures. This means that you are in full control (tell us jokes and stories but don’t worry – what you say in OR, stays in OR!) while feeling minimal, if any, discomfort during the treatment.  Many patients actually doze off describing the vibration of the liposuction device like a tissue massage.  

Benefits of “awake” anesthesia include:

• Faster recovery
• Improved safety
• Faster healing
• Ability to communicate with your care team during the procedure to stay in control

For patients concerned about being awake, gentle relaxation medications are provided to ensure comfort. You should not expect to feel pain during the procedure. If you do, then, since you are awake, just let us know and we will give you more numbing to make you comfortable.

Liposuction procedures typically last between 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on treatment areas. More details on what to expect during your liposuction procedure can be found here. 

Excess Skin Removal (AbEX™ and LiftEX®)

These procedures are performed by experienced surgeons using advanced techniques to remove loose, excess skin to create tighter, firmer, smoother, and shapely contours. Procedure times and recovery vary depending on treatment area and individual factors.

Cellulite Reduction & Lymphatic Massage

At Sono Bello, we offer two distinct non-surgical technologies to help support your goals. While both are performed in a relaxing, spa-like setting, they serve different purposes:

• Venus Legacy™ for Cellulite Reduction: A specialized treatment designed to smooth skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
• Ballancer®Pro for Lymphatic Massage: A professional-grade compression system used to stimulate lymphatic drainage, reduce bloating, and support post-procedure or athletic recovery.

These relaxing 30–45 minute sessions require zero downtime, allowing you to return to your day immediately. 

Step Five: Recovery and Results

Sono Bello procedures are designed for quick recovery and top tier results. 

Because healing is such an important part of the Sono Bello experience, we make it an active, guided process, and our support continues well beyond procedure day.

Immediately After Surgery

Patients remain at their local Sono Bello center until proper discharge criteria is met.  For some, this can be as short as 15 minutes, for others, it may be longer – regardless, we will not discharge you until it is safe to do so.

You’ll receive detailed discharge instructions covering:

• Incision care
• Activity guidelines
• Compression garment usage
• Dressing care
• When to shower
• What to eat
• Expected sensations during healing
• Follow up appointment 
• When to expect a care call by both the surgeon and the healthcare team

Mild swelling, bruising, and drainage during the first few days are normal. 

The First Few Days

Most patients:

• Rest for the first 24 hours but still encouraged to walk (with assistance)
• Return to work within 2–5 days for liposuction 
• Take up to 1-2 weeks  off for procedures involving excess skin removal

Compression garments are typically worn for 3–6 weeks to reduce swelling and support contour refinement.

Long-Term Healing & Results

Recovery timelines vary, but generally:

• Initial improvements may be visible within days to weeks
• Incision heals over several weeks.
• Swelling gradually subsides over weeks to months.  As a general rule, 60% of swelling resolves in 6 weeks.
• Final contour results typically appear around 3–6 months

Structured follow-up appointments allow your physician and care team to monitor your progress and provide additional guidance.

For some patients, lymphatic massage therapy may be recommended to support circulation and healing.

Throughout recovery, safety remains our top priority. Our team is available to answer questions and provide reassurance whenever needed.

Your Patient Experience: A Commitment to Confidence and Care

At Sono Bello, the patient experience is built on three core principles:

1. Expertise – 150+ Board-Certified or Board Eligible Surgeons nationwide
2. Customization – Every procedure is tailored to your goals. Whether it’s stubborn fat regions, loose or excess skin, or combination of both – at Sono Bello, we can tailor each patient experience to ensure safety while maximizing outcome!  Not one size fits all – and hence, because of the extensive, innovative, and latest time proven options available, we can custom-tailor your desires and goals with the most optimal option package.
3. Support – From consultation through final results

We understand that cosmetic procedures represent a meaningful step in your life. That’s why we prioritize transparency, communication, and compassion at every stage.

Whether you’re exploring liposuction, excess skin removal, cellulite reduction, skin tightening, or breast augmentation, our mission is the same: to help you feel confident, comfortable, and supported throughout your transformation.

Your journey is personal. Your care should be, too.