Sono Bello Safety Explained: Surgeon Protocols, Accreditation, and Patient Care

If you’re considering body contouring, one of the most important questions you can ask is simple: 

Is it safe?

Here’s the good news: at Sono Bello, safety isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into every part of your experience.

That means every step of the journey, from preoperative education, surgical performance, to postoperative support are all grounded on upholding the highest level of safety, exceeding community standards.  We firmly believe that every patient should feel confident that the care they receive is grounded in proven best practices, time tested standards by the medical community, and rigorous quality control protocols by a dedicated medical leadership and risk prevention teams.  At Sono Bello, safety serves as the non-negotiable foundation of patient care. 

Here’s a clear overview of how safety is approached, what standards are followed, and how we manage risks to help deliver the best possible results for Sono Bello patients.

How safe are Sono Bello procedures?

Body contouring procedures, including laser-assisted liposuction, are widely performed across the United States. When performed by qualified surgeons in appropriate candidates, these procedures have strong safety records.

Our Sono Bello physicians have performed more than 400,000 procedures nationwide, and our overall complication rate is below 1.5% percent, with infection rates below 0.4 percent.

Safety also depends on several critical factors:

• Proper patient screening
• Board-certified/eligible, surgeons
• Accredited surgical facilities
• Evidence-based procedural techniques
• Detailed post-procedure monitoring

At Sono Bello, each of these elements is built into the care model.

Who performs Sono Bello procedures?

Every Sono Bello surgeon is board-certified or board-eligible and has completed extensive aesthetic surgical training.. 

Surgeons are carefully vetted, must meet strict clinical qualifications, and participate in ongoing performance review and safety monitoring processes.

In addition, each physician receives focused, Sono Bello-specific training in the specialized procedures performed within our centers to ensure the highest level of  expertise in the aesthetic services we offer.

Surgeons also complete Sono Bello-specific training in micro-laser liposuction and body contouring protocols to ensure highest level of proficiency in technique and patient care across locations.

Where are Sono Bello procedures performed?

Safety extends beyond the surgeon. The environment matters.

Sono Bello surgical centers are accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), which evaluates both facility standards and clinical governance. 

All Sono Bello procedures are performed in accredited surgical facilities that follow strict standards for:

• Sterility and infection prevention
• Equipment maintenance and inspection
• Emergency preparedness
• Anesthesia safety protocols
• Health care team member credentialing

This layered oversight model means your procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon within a nationally accredited system designed to uphold consistent safety standards.

How does patient screening reduce surgical risk?  

Safety begins with proper candidacy, and not every patient is a candidate for every procedure. 

Proper candidacy involves three main components:

1. First, is the anatomic candidacy. What this means is: Will the procedure help you achieve your desired aesthetic goal?
2. Second, is the medical candidacy. In a nutshell, is the proposed procedure safe for you in consideration of your past and current health? While every procedure carries a risk, our goal is to make sure that you not only understand the risks but to reduce it. At times, this may mean no surgery. Safety should never be compromised.
3. Lastly, do you understand the procedure, its intended goals, options, limitations, potential risks and complications? At Sono Bello, we believe the best patients are ones who are most educated. It’s a partnership, and like all lasting partnerships, it needs to start with open honest discussions, understanding, and commitment. If our surgeons do not feel all three components of the preoperative consultation are not met, they will not proceed with your surgery. As the Chief Medical Officer, this is my directive to all Sono Bello surgeons.

A key part of safety is knowing when not to operate. If a procedure is not appropriate, that recommendation is communicated clearly. Your free consultation plays a critical role in this process. 

During this one-on-one evaluation, your Sono Bello team will assess your health history, anatomy, and goals to determine not only whether you are a candidate, but which procedure is most appropriate to maximize both safety and results.

Before recommending treatment, our medical team will review:

• Full medical history
• Current medications
• Previous surgeries
• BMI and body composition
• Skin elasticity and tissue characteristics
• Underlying medical conditions

If a procedure is not appropriate, that recommendation is made clearly. 

What type of anesthesia is used at Sono Bello?

Many Sono Bello procedures, including TriSculpt® micro-laser liposuction are performed using minimal sedation “comfort” anesthesia rather than more invasive deeper sedation or general anesthesia. This ensures maximum safety while keeping you comfortable throughout the procedure.  

During the procedure, a diluted anesthetic solution is carefully introduced into the treatment area. This fully numbs the area while you remain awake and comfortable. 

Because you are not placed under general anesthesia, your body is not subject to potentially dangerous side effects of anesthetic medications. 

Tumescent anesthesia is widely used in liposuction because it:

• Reduces systemic anesthesia risk
• Minimizes blood loss
• Improves patient safety during recovery
• Minimizes “anesthesia fogginess” 

This approach is just a small part of the overall treatment model that shows how Sono Bello procedures work; where minimally invasive techniques, careful monitoring, and controlled fat removal are designed to prioritize both safety and recovery.

Avoiding deeper sedation or general anesthesia when not necessary can significantly reduce risk.

What are potential risks and side effects of Sono Bello procedures?

All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk. Transparent conversations about potential complications are part of ethical care.

Possible risks of liposuction and body contouring procedures may include:

• Excessive Swelling
• Excessive Bruising, Bleeding
• Temporary numbness of treated regions
• Infection (extremely rare)
• Fluid accumulation
• Irregular contour
• Loose skin
• Skin loss (extremely rare)

More serious complications are uncommon but can occur in any surgical setting. Risk is reduced through sterile technique, surgeon expertise, patient screening, and structured follow-up care.

Patients are encouraged to ask direct questions about risks, complication rates, and prevention protocols during their consultation.

How does Sono Bello prevent infection and complications?

Infection prevention and complication reduction are built into every stage of the Sono Bello surgical process, from preparation through recovery.

Infection prevention protocols include:

• Sterile operating environments that follow accredited facility standards
• Thorough pre-procedure skin preparation to reduce surface bacteria
• Surgical instrument sterilization using regulated medical-grade processes
• Use of prophylactic antibiotics
• Careful fluid management during the procedure
• Standardized wound care instructions provided before you leave the center
• Scheduled follow-up evaluations to assess healing progress

In addition to these measures, surgical teams are trained to identify early signs of complications such as excessive swelling, fluid accumulation, or delayed wound healing. Clear discharge instructions outline what is normal during recovery and what symptoms should prompt a call to your care team.

Early monitoring and proactive communication allow our medical team to identify and address concerns quickly, which is one of the most effective ways to prevent minor issues from becoming more significant complications.

What happens after a Sono Bello procedure?

Safety continues well beyond the day of surgery. Recovery is an active phase of healing, and structured follow-up is designed to support both safety and long-term results.

Immediately after your procedure, you and your caretaker will receive detailed discharge instructions covering incision care, activity guidelines, compression garment use, and what sensations are normal during early healing. Mild swelling, bruising, and drainage during the first few days are expected parts of the recovery process.

Follow-up appointments allow surgeons and nursing team to:

• Monitor incision healing
• Evaluate swelling and tissue recovery
• Identify early signs of complications such as infection or fluid accumulation
• Adjust compression garment recommendations
• Provide guidance on gradually resuming exercise and daily activity
• Answer patient questions as your results begin to develop

Most patients return to light walking within a day or two, which supports circulation and healing. Compression garments are typically worn for several weeks to help reduce swelling and support contour refinement. Swelling continues to improve over time, and final contour results become more visible gradually over several months.

If you notice symptoms such as increasing pain, excessive redness, fever, or unexpected changes at the incision sites, you are encouraged to contact your care team promptly. Clear communication and early evaluation are key components of safe recovery.

Addressing online safety concerns

It is common to encounter mixed information online when researching cosmetic procedures. Body contouring can generate strong opinions, especially in public forums and review platforms.

When evaluating safety claims, you should consider:

• Whether the source is medically credentialed
• Whether the information is based on data or personal anecdote
• Whether complication statistics are presented in context
• Whether the procedure described reflects modern techniques and accredited facilities

No surgical provider can promise zero risk. What matters is whether clear protocols are in place to reduce risk, monitor outcomes, and respond quickly if concerns arise.

At Sono Bello, safety systems are structured, documented, and continuously reviewed at both the surgeon and organizational level. Published safety metrics, accreditation standards, and formal follow-up processes provide measurable ways to evaluate care beyond individual online commentary.

How does Sono Bello compare to traditional hospital-based liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is sometimes performed in hospital operating rooms under general anesthesia, which requires deeper sedation, airway management, and a longer recovery before discharge.

Sono Bello procedures are  performed in an outpatient setting using minimally invasive techniques and minimal “comfort” anesthesia. This model is designed to reduce anesthesia-related risks and support a more controlled recovery experience.

Sono Bello procedures are generally:

• Minimally invasive, using small incisions and targeted fat removal
• Performed under minimal anesthesia rather than general anesthesia
• Conducted in AAAHC-accredited outpatient surgical centers
• Designed for same-day discharge in appropriately selected patients
• Structured around detailed post-procedure monitoring and follow-up care

For properly selected candidates, this approach promotes safety by limiting systemic anesthesia exposure, maintaining strict facility standards, and allowing patients to recover in a familiar environment shortly after their procedure. At the same time, careful screening ensures that patients who may require a different setting or level of care are identified during consultation.

Frequently asked safety questions

Here are some of the most common safety questions we get from Sono Bello patients, and from people considering their next body contouring procedure.

How long does recovery take?

Most patients return to light activity within a few days. Swelling may persist for several weeks, with final contour refinement occurring gradually over time.

Is laser-assisted liposuction safer than traditional liposuction?

Safety depends primarily on surgeon expertise, patient selection, and facility standards. Laser-assisted technology is designed to assist fat removal and support skin tightening, but safety outcomes depend on proper technique and protocol.

What happens if complications occur?

Patients receive direct contact instructions for their care team. Accredited facilities maintain emergency protocols, and physicians provide guidance if unexpected symptoms occur.

Are results permanent?

Removed fat cells do not regenerate. Long-term results depend on maintaining stable weight and healthy lifestyle habits.

Safety is a continuous commitment at Sono Bello

Patient safety is a clinical responsibility.

From rigorously trained surgeons and accredited facilities to anesthesia protocols and structured follow-up care, safety standards are embedded throughout the patient journey.

If you are considering body contouring, you are encouraged to:

• Schedule a consultation
• Review surgeon credentials
• Ask detailed safety questions
• Understand your candidacy
• Make decisions based on medical guidance

Informed decisions are confident decisions. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way as you decide what is right for you.