Gerald Thomas Lionelli

After all the back in forth in my own head about making the decision to even get a consult about liposuction I went ahead and got 3 different consults. Decided to go with Sono Bello. After 2 min of meeting Dr Lionelli the doubts just melted away. While i was crying because talking about your body can do that , he made me feel so great about myself . Knowing that I'm high anxiety person , he immediately calmed me and reassured me that I was a good candidate and he and his team would take great care of me . The bedside manner from Brittany the nurse and Dr Lionelli were AAA TOP NOTCH!
I met with Hannah in my consult who was so kind and caring . She listened to me and really heard my "why" of doing this . Even the front office staff was so kind. I'm excited to see the 3 month results. So far it's been 6 days .

I was nervous at first but Stephanie explained everything and made me feel extremely comfortable with my choice. She took time to answer all of my questions. I choose dr.lionelli for my surgeon who has a stellar background as well as education.I ended up getting my upper & lower abdomen done along with my waist. Dr.lionelli explained the entire procedure and informed me of any risks, really loved his honesty and knowledge of the procedure. All of the staff were amazing. On my surgery day they did everything to make me comfortable and at ease. The procedure went great, hardly any pain. After they called when I was at home to check and see how I was doing. Every step you have to go through they send emails of what to expect on your journey. My healing is better every day. The only discomfort is when I have to use my abdomen muscles and that's not bad. Went back to work in four days. So far everything is beyond better than expected.

Hello RealSelf Dolls! I am a 32 year old, black female with 2 children, 12 years and 4 years old. I love my babies with all my heart but when I had my children, I lost a piece of me... my beloved figure. The end of last year I decided to go through with Smart "Laser" Lipo. I've contemplated this for several years. I'm tired of squeezing into girdles to wear that "dress" without a bulge in the tummy area, just to still look and feel uncomfortable. I am getting smart lipo performed on my upper and lower abdomen and flanks on 2/25/2016 with Dr. Gerald Lionelli at SonoBello, St. Louis. I am SOOOOO excited to start 2016 off with doing something for me! This is year is MINE baby. Follow my journey. Let's get it!

Updated on 20 Feb 2016:


Updated on 20 Feb 2016:


Updated on 22 Feb 2016:
Who's gonna be slimmer in the waist in 3 days? Me! That's who?

Updated on 24 Feb 2016:
So tmrrw is my big day! BYE BYE TUMMY!!! Its been a struggle. My healthier lifestyle journey starts tmrrw as well! I'm looking forward to becoming a healthier and sexier me! :)

Updated on 25 Feb 2016:
Okay so... everything went smoothly this morning. The procedure took about 3 hours to complete. Dr. Lionelli took his time and removed mostly fat from me which I am very happy with! The lidocaine they fill you up with is insane! I didn't realize it would be that much but I definitely didn't feel anything except a tad bit around my rib area on the sides. Minor though, not pain just a little discomfort but very tolerable. I will take pictures of my tummy for you guys when I am able to remove the garment and binde. A little sore and a lot swollen right now.

Updated on 26 Feb 2016:
had to fight myself to get u n take a pic for yall,, too swollen and sore to take it off right now.

Updated on 27 Feb 2016:
Hey there RealSelf Dolls! It's been 2 days since my smart Lipo procedure and I must say, I'm loving the results! You ladies MUST wear the garments because when I took them off to wash them, shower, and snap these pics for y'all it was soooo tender to the touch! Also it will swell more, so just wanted to stress the importance of following directions to maximize results! I'm still swollen and a little sore although today is MUCH better than yesterday. Just gotta take it one day at a time. Dr. Lionelli rocks! Great personality and very skilled in what he does! God is good!

Updated on 6 Mar 2016:
I'm 10 days post-op today. Still swollen per my nurse at Sono Bello. Still improving slowly. A bit sore and lumpy. Told to massage the lumps myself and they will dissipitate over time. The lumps are damaged fat tissue. I can't complain. I look much better than I did pre-op, lol. Excited to see my body change over the next few months.

Updated on 11 Mar 2016:
Whelp! It's been 15 days since My smart Lipo procedure. I'm healing slowly but surely. I've developed some lumps in my abdomen.

Updated on 11 Mar 2016:
Whelp! It's been 15 days since My smart Lipo procedure. I'm healing slowly but surely. I've developed some lumps in my abdomen.

Updated on 28 Mar 2016:
Hey dolls! Thought I'd drop in to update you all! My tummy is definitely progressing. It still is sore and swells without compression. But, I'm still happy with my results! Dr. Lionelli did a great job!

Updated on 21 Apr 2016:
Hello dolls! I'm 4 days shy of 2 months post op and my shape is really starting to form. Here's a few pics of me "feeling myself". Stay tuned. ????

Updated on 27 Apr 2016:
2 months post opt and shaping on up.

Updated on 17 May 2016:
Hey ya'll! Thought I would post an update for you guys! I hvnt forgotten what it's like to wait on those pics from your favorite results! Happy healing ladies and good luck to those still awaiting their turns! Best decision I've ever made in my life was to have the surgery! Mwahhh ??????????????????????????

Updated on 21 May 2016:
Houston Shananigans!

I am using Sono Bello in St Louis. I'm so excited. My pre-op visit is tomorrow 8.21.14. I am having lower and upper abs as well as waist done. I have recently lost 20+ lbs. I reached a high of 150 and said that's it!! I am 5' so that was way too overweight. Now that I am down to 130 (still 15lbs more to go. goal is 115) I am feeling better about the way I look in my clothes. I do however have horrible stretch mark scaring dating back to my 1st pregnancy. I carried LARGE babies. I understand the scarring will not go away with this procedure, but hope to lose the fat and tone the excess skin. Im going to "tan" tonight so the tummy doesn't look so bad. Tanned blubber looks better.... right??? Wish me luck!

Updated on 21 Aug 2014:
So the pre-op went as expected. I am however, in a state of momentary turmoil. My skin condition(thin and stretched) and excess skin worries me. I have no doubt the lipo will remove the fat but how will my skin look...... droopy and puckered???? The surgeon was very forthright in what my expectations should be. He said upper abs = great; waist = great.... but lower abs, will most likely have droopy and puckered skin. I don't believe it's in my budget to do a tummy tuck after lipo or in place of it. Any ideas or suggestions???

Updated on 5 Sep 2014:
Exactly 2 weeks from now!!!! And I can not wait. Very excited. I'm wondering if I should be focussing on abs and crunches to start strengthening those muscles. Anyone have an opinion on that? I am doing upper/lower abs and the waist area.

Updated on 5 Sep 2014:


Updated on 21 Sep 2014:
2 days post and feeling pretty good! The staff and physician (Dr Lionelli) we're very helpful in making me feel comfortable and preparing me for what was ahead. Went into preop about 6:50am and by 7:40 was on the table. Other than a few areas (up at the lightest point) of my tummy I truly feel it was near painless!!!! Night # 1 not so painless. It was very painful.

It is Very important to remember, walk around. It helps to stretch out those muscles.

Today is day 2 and I'm feeling better yet. Still sore, but I noticed some of the swelling already subsiding.

Think good thoughts :-)
So far very happy!!

Updated on 22 Sep 2014:
Feeling better each day! The swelling is pretty substantial so not able to see much in the way of results :

Updated on 22 Sep 2014:


Updated on 15 Oct 2014:
Still feeling positive about my results. Have reached a point now where all the muscle pain and aches have subsided and have entered the phase of "itching, burning, numbness and tingling". Although it's completely bearable!

I still have some swelling and my skin is loose, but not as bad as I thought. I do have a little "unevenness" in my lower ab area so will be addressing that at my 3 month post op.

Updated on 15 Oct 2014: