Mrs Monique I had my procedure done a month ago and so far so good. The staff at Sono Bello was excellent and very caring, from my consultation day with (Michelle) to my procedure day with (Dr. Blanchard) and (LPN Delona). I would recommend Sono Bello for all your Body Contouring and Facial needs. Thanks to a great team at Sono Bello. You guys Rock.
There isn't a day that has passed since having my second child that I hoped my leftover stretched out tummy from having babies would shrink and my clothes would fit me properly. I felt my tummy was bit deformed and dis proportioned to the rest of my body. After having bilateral hip surgery 2 years ago I was told I may never run again and this truly motivated me to prove that Dr. wrong, somebody telling me that running was no longer in the cards for me....what would I do? How would I battle the belly bulge if I couldn't run? I know there are other options but running was my space, my place! So I fought back and hit the elliptical and biked. I am very proud to say that I am running again after all of the hard work... But here's the problem all of the work that I put In and I STILL THE BELLY Fat :( So when my sister suggested this brand new Procedure for Lipo that was incredibly Safe and Affordable I decided why not?? It's not like I didn't already poor my heart into diet and exercise so I needed help. The consultation was very non aggressive and they made me feel extremely comfortable and Michelle the patient care consultant gave me very realistic expectations, and they have a great payment plan they offer as well that you can finance if you have to and pay it off in a certain amount of time you don’t have to pay any interest. I was interested in doing my arms and maybe just below my bottom as well and Michelle advised this was not an area they would recommend doing on me because it wasn't really fat just loose skin, I appreciated the fact that they weren't' just out to make a buck and she was very candid with me. They truly just wanted to help where they felt they could make a big impact on the way I felt, which was my upper and lower abdomen, waist and hips...goodbye muffin tops too! Michelle explained that for my arms (what happens after 40?) and below my bottom they have a new Laser Procedure called Venus that uses magnetic technology to build collagen and this would take care of tightening up that skin so lipo was not necessary. She explained the reason Lipo with Sono Bello was so much more affordable than most is because they do not have to use an anesthesiologist...they don't have to put you under for the procedure and this is a huge cost savings. More importantly because you don't have to be knocked out it is much SAFER and being a mother of 2 I feel I have a responsibility to my children to be there for them. Something holding me back previously from making the leap to do this procedure for Myself was just that it felt a bit selfish. Everyone knows surgery can be dangerous but when you’re not "going under" it's a much safer procedure therefore the Mommy guilt was eliminated and I was ALL IN!! So just to qualify because the procedure is done without Anesthesia you’re probably thinking as I was that this would be scary because I was. They give you a “cocktail” prior to walking into surgery which included some type of pain med and something else to calm your nerves that definitely did the trick (no not alcohol silly) I literally made the surgeon Lol when I told her I was so relieved that this didn't feel like a surgery at all but more of a day at the SPA...when she started the procedure no joke I was completely fearless with 0 anxiety about what was going on . They talked with me during the procedure and informed me of what was going on and we joked and laughed. To me I felt like I was in the middle of a Grays Anatomy Episode (One of my favorite shows) only I got to participate in the surgery it was very cool! Pain free. By being so informed pre op I was empowered and feeling excited about the procedure leading up to surgery day. So post op they told me to take it easy and generally patients return to work in 3 days, I was baking a cake with my kids later that afternoon and hosted a 4th of July party at my house the next day so for me it was quick but I tend to bounce back very quickly. They also advised no running for a month so that the muscle has time to adhere to the skin (minus the fat). I feel like I might turn into a blob not running for a month but I'll just have to watch the chocolate for a few weeks. I exercise so I can eat chocolate freely by the way. So the results are even better than I expected I gained 80 pounds during my 2nd pregnancy so my skin was very stretched out and so was the muscle I wasn't completely convinced that removing the fat would be enough to make a difference in my appearance but I am thrilled to say that I feel Fantastic. My clothes are already big on me and they say that I will continue to see results for the next 6 months which is hard to imagine but I'm excited to see. I could barely look in the mirror at my tummy before the procedure, now I check daily. I also receive aftercare emails with advice on how I should be progressing and how to take care of myself to achieve the best results. The entire process was quick easy. I do plan on following up with the Venus Treatments to tighten up the skin on my belly arms and bottom so thinking in a few months I will be feeling like million bucks. I am already feeling like myself again, I felt like I was stuck in a fat suit prior to this procedure. Updated on 14 Jul 2015: Just added some Pre Op Pictures, I'll post progress photos shortly. Definitely seeing some terrific progress. Updated on 14 Jul 2015: Added some more photos to show Pre and Post- OP I am seeing some great progress and had my first Venus treatment to build collagen and tighten up the loose skin. I'll keep you updated! Updated on 30 Sep 2015: 3 months later I couldn't be more pleased with my results. I am down 2 sizes and several inches. I believe the best results we're on the lower abdomen in the areas where it didn't seem to matter how hard I worked out the lower belly fat didn't budge. I also had considerable reduction in the love handles, good bye and good riddens. My clothes fit me so much better and I can even wear strapless shirts and dresses which is something I never saw in my future. I am very excited for my results I do have some saggy skin in the lower abdomen but I am continuing to go for the Venus Laser treatments so hopefully they will do the trick. I'm thinking a mini tummy tuck is going to be the solution to get rid of the rest of the leftover saggy tummy though and who knows maybe the full mommy makeover with a breast lift in the future! Definitely very satisfied with my results and very glad I had the opportunity to take off the extra pounds that we're slowing me down and making me so uncomfortable. Workouts are easier to achieve results without the extra pounds slowing me down.
I was looking old and tired and didn't feel that way inside. I had wanted something done for along time and procrastinated . I work at a school and the children and staff would make comments about how tired I looked when I wasn't. I don't get those comments any more. I wish that I would have done it sooner, I look and feel so much better. I had life style lift and eyes done.
Words alone can't express how happy I am. I would do it again without a second thought. Thank you Dr. Blanchard, you are an angel. Everyone in the office was courteous and helpful. pre and post calls were made. All in all it was a life changing experience for me and I highly recommend the independence, ohio office.
My motivation to do this surgery was simple ... when I looked in the mirror, there was a stranger staring back at me with droopy eyes, a waddle neck, many lines and creases everywhere. After my surgery, I look in the mirror and am amazed to see ME looking back. I would do this again in a heartbeat!
My life has taken alot of unexpected changes over the last couple of years. My husband passed away just over a year ago. It was a tough time but I am finding my way back to being myself. After losing my weight of nearly 45 lbs and gaining back my self-confidence, it's time to start loving my body again. I am beginning to like how I look in my clothes but being naked has been really depressing. I'm sick of my boobs pointing toward the ground. I should say that I'm about 160 lbs at 5'7" with 38C. I am having a breast lift with augmentation 375cc silicone implants under the muscle on March 22. I'm not crazy about this little belly that I just can't seem to get rid of and if it still bothers me by next fall I will have Vaserlipo. I've already talked to my PS and she assured me that the lipo would help out since I don't really have alot of extra skin hanging - but it still bothers me. But right now I am only taking 2 wks pto and want to be as healed as possible when I go back to work. I am looking forward to getting this done and just being happy to have pretty boobs again that point forward.Updated on 29 Feb 2012:Ok just 3 weeks to go and I am getting nervous. I work at the hospital as an Xray tech. I was working in the OR tonight and even though I never get freaked out by anything, tonight I was watching while the skin was being stitched and thought about how it will be me on the table in just a few weeks. I'm not having surgery at the hospital I work at but just getting a little overwhelmed. I actually got a little lightheaded at the thought. I know that all of us have the same nerves, I just wanted to voice this to get it out. I'm sure it will be fine.Updated on 8 Mar 2012:Surgery is just 2 weeks from today and I'm glad I am only doing just the BL & BA this time around. I will be doing lipo (tummy, thighs) in the fall & hopefully will have toned up a bit more before then. I have read so many other stories on here - I'm excited and nervous but am looking forward to having boobs that just aren't so sad looking. But at least I got my pics posted.Updated on 15 Mar 2012:Had my pre admission testing today and did the pre op visit on Monday. I am all set to go next week. I can't believe this has gone so fast. 1 week from today I will be getting my boobies lifted and filled out. I am so tired of them hanging down when I don't have a bra on. I am hoping to have my areola's reduced in size too because if they are facing forward it's possible they would look like my whole boob is all pink (little pig faces). So I am excited, a bit nervous, and yes doing alot of the nesting that I have read that so many others have done on their reviews. But it is good because this place is cleaner and more organized than it has been in ages. Hate to admit that after my husband died (it's been over a year) I really let the place go. It's not "Hoarders" bad, but not what I want it to be. So I have been buying containers & organizing closets etc. What a relief to see the mess going away. Ok so I have decided to do the tummy lipo later in the fall. I have to go back to work in 2 weeks and just want to make sure I can handle all the lifting and moving patients. I am still losing weight; and maybe I won't need as much done. With all this work of trying to lose weight,I seem to be changing my size but the number on the scale is still the same GRRRR. I guess I am rambling (could it be nerves????). Ok well, I need to get some stuff done around here since it is my day off. WOOHOO 1 week to go!Updated on 18 Mar 2012:Yes it is only 4 more sleeps until my big day! Everyday coming makes my stomach just turn. I know I will be fine, but so nervous. I have a bit of a countdown schedule in my head: get my hair dyed, wash all my pj pants & yoga pants. find front button shirts (really? cant someone put a big t-shirt on me?), get my zip up hoodie washed and ready to go -- although the weather is in the 70's lately. I ordered my arnica montana, quecertin & bromalien. Need to find food dishes to make for a few days - easy stuff from Sams club for my daughter to make for us. Wanted to clean my carpets so I bought a new vacuum yesterday and the damn dog ate the filter when I took it out to wash & air dry. Can't buy a replacement in any stores so I ordered one online. It will arrive the day after surgery. Sooooo that's not happening. Still need to finish cleaning the piles of papers in my room and on my desk. I just want things to be straightened up nice for when I am feeling groggy and ouchy. I really don't want to be a [RS bleep] during all this since my bf was kind enough to be treating me to this whole ordeal. Yes that makes me extra lucky; he's been an amazing friend for a long time and now just wants me to feel better about myself. ok I am starting to ramble again and it is getting late. I have 2 more days of work this week and then am off for over 2 weeks. (ok I am going back to the easier job right after my 1 wk visit) I work at an outpatient clinic and it is no lifting etc. I will be fine - just working the weekend and then off for another week & a half before going back to the hospital. OMG I am getting freaked out with nerves and what if's and I need to do's before I go in.....breathe, just breathe. and go to the gym tomorrow morning to burn off some stress......Updated on 20 Mar 2012:Ok I just finished my last shift at work until after the surgery. Glad we were busy tonight and now after reading posts until I can't focus I will try to get some sleep. I feel like you all are the only ones who really understand the range of emotions I'm going through. My friends at work were totally super supportive and that is nice but I can't really say how I am scared shitless while being as excited as a kid at Christmas at the same time. Tomorrow I have to color my hair, paint my toenails and do some clear on my hands, get to sames club to get some easy meals stuff, need to buy my daughter's birthday card and order her cake (Monday is her birthday). Geez I wanted to clean the carpet too -- the dogs need a bath. Oh god my stomach is flipping again. . . did I mention that I have a work meeting in the middle of the day too? Oh crap... I'm going to get a beer and try to chill out, while reading everyone else's updates. Goodnight all.Updated on 21 Mar 2012:Can you believe my day is here already? I did manage to get my hair colored, shopped for food, cleaned up like crazy. I even got beautiful flowers from my boyfriend tonight! So it is a 5 am wakeup (will I even be able to sleep?), shower and be at the hospital at 6am. Surgery is scheduled for 7:45 so hopefully I will be home by early afternoon. I am fortunate to live only 10 min from the hospital. Ok girls by this time tomorrow I will be on my way to healing and joining so many of you in posting exciting pictures of my recovery! OMGosh this is really happening!Updated on 22 Mar 2012:Ok well I have new and improved Boobies! YAY, I did it and I have to say it went much easier than I thought (as I sit here on pain meds and still shaking off the fog of anesthesia). Here is my day as best as I can remember: I got to the hospital at 6am. My daughter was with me (she turns 18 on Monday). So they had me change into a gown, & the ugliest surgical stockings. I got an IV started, and vital signs done. Later the anesthesiologist came in with bunches of questions. The Dr came in and marked me, said I had alot of extra skin. The next thing I know was I went in to the or, took a couple of deep breathes from a mask and then I woke up in the PACU (recovery room). The Dr. came in to talk to me in pacu and told me that after my lift, she had to adjust the size of my implant. If she would have put in the 375cc I would have ended up an F cup. Geez I never dreamed I had that much there since they were laying halfway down my belly LOL. So she adjusted the plan and put in 300cc which will give me a full D. of maybe even a DD. LOL I could end up being a permanent designated driver forever. Ok I chalk that up to the medication. I have pictures that I will upload tomorrow. My pain is pretty controlled with the meds and my favorite thing the ice pack. I have my post op garment on under the biggest ace wrap bandage. I took my last pill about half hour ago and I keep falling asleep as I'm typing. So I'm going to sleep a little more. G'nite girlies! pics tomorrowUpdated on 22 Mar 2012:Even more crazy; I keep gettng the hiccups. This is irritating. and just a little uncomfortable too. And another thing; I know I was catheterized during the surgery (a foley catheter for urine) and it was taken out before I got out of the OR. But now I am having trouble peeing. I am drinking lots of water but when I get the urge to pee nothing is coming out. This last time I really had to bear down and struggle to get it out. Sounds crazy and I was wondering if anyone else had this issue before. I slept so much this afternoon that now I am wide awake. Or as awake as can be; this is nutty. I didn't take my percoset at midnight... instead of that I opted for the Valium and just 800 mg of Advil. I like the ice packs best of all. Just wish I could pee... ok enough whining.Updated on 23 Mar 2012:It's important to have a good rapport with your PS. I had discussed what I wanted to look like after my surgery; basically just like I did in my slightly padded bra with a bit more curve to the top of my breasts. We had decided that I would go with 375cc smooth round moderate plus profile gel implants. I wanted somewhat bigger than I was but not huge boobs. So when I woke up I remember that the Dr. was talking to me; and then my daughter reminded me that she said she actually had to go with a smaller implant. During the surgery they place a sizer in and with what I had picked I would have ended up an F cup. Totally not what I had wanted. So she lowered it to a 300cc implant and I will be a full D cup. Whew! Glad she understood what I was wanting to end up looking like!Updated on 25 Mar 2012:Ok more new pics, the paper adhesive tape that was under the ace wrap really was irritating my skin so I took it all off. That hurt more than anything else so far. I've been feeling pretty good - using ice packs and either tylenol or advil. Taking arnica, keflex and quercetin. I take probiotics when I can remember along with stool softener and feel like I spend all day swallowing pills. Finally took a small poop (sorry for the graphic details) but that was the best part of my day. I am trying to remember to eat protein but until I can get my system back in order I just don't want to eat. I was taking Valium at night and some OTC pain reliever, but this am I took a couple Tylenol PM and got the best rest I've had since surgery. Going to try that again tonight. I am still on the couch in my nest of pillows in a semi sitting position. I was even able to turn a little like I'm sleeping on my side kinda. Hope everyone else is doing well out there. Thanks for the love all. . .Updated on 28 Mar 2012:Well tomorrow is my 1 week post op and I will finally get to see my new girls completely. I promise to take and post new pics. I must be healing ok as I am having kind of prickly feelings around the nipple. It's not the most comfortable feeling but after having breastfed and then experiencing severe breast tenderness with my periods this is just another little bother. I haven't peeked under the gauze covering my nipples so I am really looking forward to seeing what I look like. Hope it doesn't make me queasy. I am pretty calm about seeing "gross" stuff as I work at the hospital; but like I said before it is different when it is my body. Thankfully I have seen how wonderful so many ladies have healed so it will just be another step in getting to the exciting result I am hoping for.Updated on 29 Mar 2012:Wow I am thrilled with the results at only 1 week. I was so happy to see my areolas are smaller and that the vertical incision looks great already. My PS said that the bottom incision is so dark because of the glue used to close the incision. I still have some swelling but not bad and I guess the arnica did it's job because I don't look bruised at all. I can get a shower tonight and only have to wear my garment at night for about 5 more days. Then I can shop for new bras. This is so cool! I'm a little tender but not bad. I will take better pics in a couple of days - some are blurry because I was trying to take them in a hurry when I first got home.Updated on 31 Mar 2012:Holy cow are my nipples sensitive! I never really had nipples that were sensitive (after breast feeding); but today as I was getting dressed for work my left one was perky and SUPER sensitive. All day I noticed it was really out there and just even the slightest brush of my arm about made me jump. And by this afternoon the right one is doing the same thing. Oh jeez this is totally new and more than a bit annoying. I'm sure it is just the nerves reconnecting but whoa baby! yikes...Updated on 10 Apr 2012:Ok I'm now PO day 19, it really has gone fast. I went back to work last night and found out just how physical my job is. I was sore when I got home; the muscles really tightened up on my chest after a whole night of working... even the doors were heavy to open. I took a muscle relaxer and 2 advil and slept really well. I just feel stiff this morning and am starting to notice new stretchmarks appearing around my nipples. I use Vitamin E oil a few times a day and will pick up some palmers cocoa butter and the scar strips at CVS (thanks Mothera8). The nipple sensitivity has cut back from full time to just later in the evenings now. But by the end of my shift last night I was really feeling it. Looking forward to getting those strips before work this afternoon. I slept without a sports bra the last 2 nights. Almost back to sleeping on my side; still propped up a little bit tho. My left side is kind of square shaped on the side and the PS mentioned it at my 1 week visit that it is due to swelling. I am hoping as the implant moves down it will fill it out better. Ya it bothers me but I'm trying to be optimistic as I know I won't see final result for at least another month or two. I'm missing going for my workouts, although I did take a long walk on Easter. Only a couple more weeks until my 1 month po visit when hopefully she will clear me to get back to the gym. I am going to Sedona AZ in early May and want to be ready to hike those beautiful red rocks.Updated on 10 Apr 2012:Also the dark markings on the Left nipple are the last of the glue. I lifted up the edges but it brought a little blood to the surface so I am leaving it alone. Most has come off and I'm really happy with the scars. Sorry about the blurry photos, but my daughter freaked out when I tried to use her camera - lol I was going to erase them after I uploaded them. LOL traumatized teenager!Updated on 20 Apr 2012:Ok well it's been a few days and a lot has happened. Earlier this week I was at work And my sports bra was really uncomfortable. So I took it off and went all shift with no bra. Lol imagine at my age going braless at work & nobody noticing! Woohoo! Then 2 days ago, I was having so much tenderness along the incision under the right breast. I looked with a mirror and there was an opening at the incision, a lot of yellow discharge and it was red and sore. I called the PS office & was told I was throwing a stitch. I was told to use warm compresses and ointment & cover the opening. Needless to say, I picked at it - removed that stitch and any others I could find with tweezers. I got quite a few out and used poly bacitracin. After just one night I felt much better. But removing the stitches was much like taking out an ingrown hair. That was truly the most uncomfortable thing to date. But still aft a couple of days it's ok. Next week will be my follow up appt and hopefully I get released to get back to the gym with no restrictions. I'm 4 wks po yesterday and happy so far.
I has so much excess skin above and below my eyes. I looked tired all the time and everyone let me know that. I have not had one person tell me that since my surgery a year ago. I am so pleased with the results.
I scheduled my lift and had my eyes done first-which turned out great. After that I started reading all these reviews and got scared so I cancelled and didn't reschedule for over a year. I wish I'd done it a year ago! I had an excellent surgeon in Independence Ohio and she did a wonderful job! At 48 I look 35! The pain was significant, but no more than other surgeries I've had. I think in the hands of a qualified surgeon the lifestyle lift is every bit as good as a more expensive lift. I love it! The office was wonderful and had someone on hand 24 hours to answer questions, including the doctor, and they called twice to check on me. Updated on 30 Nov 2010: It has been awhile since my lift and it gets better every day. For anyone out there thinking about this procedure, I highly recommend it. I have tried to post my before and after pictures which I received, but haven been able to. I would be happy to email them to anyone who is interested--I was astonished at the difference! Again, I highly recommend my doctor and clinic! Updated on 30 Nov 2010: I was able to post the pictures. I hope this helps anyone considering the lift!
Without seeing you, it sounds like you could benefit from taking skin from around the navel without a full tummy tuck (abdominoplastyt). It would require an incision around your navel but that would fade with time. If you have too much skin, it may require an abdominoplasty.
