Sono Bello - Beverly Hills

Hi there
I'm 5'4" and 152 lbs. I workout 5-6 days/week doing cardio or bootcamp style workouts. No matter what I do, my inner thighs are always fat. They used to rub together, but now they just stick to eachother . They also clap loudly when i run up and down the stairs naked. So I'm thinking about getting smartlipo on my love handles, lower abdomen, inner and outer thighs. I've been in contact with an office in Beverly Hills but also thinking of getting a consult at SonoBello. I'm worried about the pain, how long the bruising and swelling will last and going under general. Any advice or insight?


Updated on 8 Apr 2013:
So I'm thinking of heading to LA from Calgary in the beginning of May and I'm hoping to go for a couple consults. I'm thinking that my cellulite is just as bad as the size and bulges of fat on my thighs.
Is there a way to treat the cellulite at the same time as liposuction?
And as I mentioned before, is it possible to do lipo or smart lipo on inner/outer thighs, love handles and lower abdomen while awake? I am posting the dreaded pics. Thanks.

I went in to sonobello 12/21/16 for my consultation with Lonnie she was great. She gave a lot of information and could fit me in very short notice for my surgery the following week 12/28/16. That day I met with Dr. John F. HSU and he was very kind and also informative. The nurse was the nicest and sweetest I hate I can't remember her name but I will update once I do. They made me feel like I wasn't just a number and I loved that.

So the day of my surgery I got to the office early and they took me back and started my pregnancy test checked my blood pressure and had me switch clothes right away. I was given my pills and told to just relax with the lights off. Dr. John F. HSU came in doodled on me as he asked a few questions and made sure I was comfortable. Then they switched me rooms and the surgery began.

During surgery I was very comfortable and relaxed DR. HSU and my nurse Candance kept making sure I was ok. I felt something maybe just pressure towards the end and he stopped as soon as I said I did. The two wonderful nurses got me dressed and reminded all the things I needed to do post op. I got hope I was still not feeling anything and I thought I could handle pain so I didn't take the pain meds ???????????? oh that was a mistake. I felt like I had got run over by a truck and set on fire. So I took a couple of my pain meds and once the kicked in I was fine.

So my first day post op and I'm walking around as I was told to popping my pain meds as instructed and I have very light pain from time to time and it's usually when it's time for more pain meds. I tried to eat oatmeal and couldn't I then tried a banana and couldn't so I just did soup and a smoothie. I've had very minimum leakage so I just kept everything the way they had it. I drunk 6 bottles of water. I took my pain meds and antibiotics every 4 hours. Today was a good day. I will take off my garments tomorrow to take a bath and I will let you guys know what I see then ???????????? I attached some morning of the surgery pictures

Updated on 30 Dec 2016:
So this morning I woke up to take a shower wash my garments and see what I look like so far. I know I'm still swollen and I have a lot of bruising but I can see a difference already. These pictures are a little more than 48 hours apart. I had upper and lower abs waist and back roll done. I have no pain but I'm still taking pain meds. I took a quick shower took this picture and put my garments right back on I have 12 small cuts so I put cream on them and took arnica for bruising and swelling.

Updated on 2 Jan 2017:
So today is 5 days since my liposuction and I feel like I have a very uneven tummy its very lumpy and I wear my garments 23 hours a day. I'm trying to be optimistic and say that's normal. My back looks the same as pre op but I'm also hoping it's swelling. :-( I'm going to pop some more of these arnica pills and wrap myself very tight tonight and see if anything changes. I have been eating salads and smoothies so I'm doing all I can on my end. I also noticed a blister on my right back hip today I hope it's just due to me wearing the garments too much. I go in to see the Dr. in the morning so I'm not too worried.

Updated on 3 Jan 2017:
So I went and had my one week post op check up today (yeah a day early) and my nurse was very nice and reassuring that what I'm experiencing is normal and said in 2 weeks I will be calling her to tell her she was right ( oh how I hope I get to make that call) :-) we ordered my next garment it should get to me in a week.

I'm back!! After a year of contemplation I have decided it is time to take care of my double chin. Perhaps orthodontic surgery would of been the appropriate treatment for my double chin, however I decided to more forward with the liposuction instead. We will see if that helps me look less like my mother. I booked a surgery appointment for this Saturday. 11/19

Updated on 20 Nov 2016:
My surgery was scheduled for 8:30 am and I got to Sono bello at 8:00 I was the first surgery of the day. Originally my appointment was at 10:30 but it was moved up the night before. I was greeted then taken in for a urine test (to make sure I wasn't pregnant) then I went into the pre-op room changed into the robe, sterile undies, bra and compression socks and then they inserted an IV in my arm as a precaution measure. They asked me to pick a pandora station to be played while the procedure was happening. I went with reggae (positive vibes) then they gave me couple of pills before the surgery they made me a little sleepy 30 minutes later the procedure started. They first used a pink solution looked like paint on my chin area I think this was the numbing lotion. Then the Dr. made 1 puncture on my chin and inserted a tube in my chin that was the most painful part but it didn't last long... It felt like an electric toothbrush hitting your chin. I was wheeled out to the car with my driver. I was not able to drive myself. You definitely need a driver.

Updated on 20 Nov 2016:
I was able to eat yesterday much easier than today probably because of the numbing solution used during surgery. Today I can definetly feel some pain but not enough to continue taking the Hydrocodone pills, not sure if I can start taking tylenol since last time I took the hydrocodone pills was 9am. The pain is not too painful where I'd want to continue taking them. Between 1-10 I'd say the pain level is 6

Updated on 27 Nov 2016:
Well, here are some updated pics.

Updated on 27 Nov 2016:
so, i feel very stupid some days, I notice only slightly differences it is very frustrating because I went through this procedure thinking I'd see immediate results and the truth is that the difference is very subtle. It might be a good thing in a couple of months though.

I met with the doctor yesterday at Sono Bello for my pre-op. As always they were very nice I would love that by the nurse gave me my little goodie bags, give me my prescription and explains the procedures. The doctor came in and asked me what I wanted I explained to him that I wanted my upper and lower abs, and outer thighs. He asked me what I was trying to accomplish when I explained everything he told me that it was probably be better for me to do my flanks instead of my thighs and to do my way so that this way it would help with a contour of my body. So now I've made arrangements to do that and I'm both nervous and excited about the procedure. I will post pictures the day before the procedure and I will try and keep you all posted.

Updated on 30 Jun 2016:
Okay so I'm finally at home resting. It wasn't that bad the procedure that's when he was near my belly button or lower part of my hip. Couple of times he had to tell me don't move. The drive home wasn't that bad I think I was still a little fuzzy from the cocktail that they gave me and I slept most of the way. About 3 hours since I've gotten home and I seem to be doing okay except for a little bit of tenderness especially around the belly button area. Going to try and post some pictures hopefully they come through.

Updated on 2 Jul 2016:
I felt okay for the most part yesterday, I really wanting to see what I look like but I was scared so I did minimal looking only when changing my pads. I'm not gonna lie though, every time I walk by a mirror, I was like do I look smaller..yeah I think so. I drank tons of water (though my eyeballs were going to float) only took pain meds twice, once the prescription and the other Tylenol.I'm about to take my first shower (since procedure) and take pictures to post.

Updated on 4 Jul 2016:

Hello every one, I am a 37 y/o (38 real soon) mother of 2. My oldest being 19 (going on 20 next month). This means that I've been longing to fix my problem areas now for 2 decades. My stomach, waist line and back. I am 5'4 approx. 200lbs. I really don't have trust with the BMI as it doesn't account for the body's other components such as water, muscle and bone. As of now I work full time and cannot afford the down time of a full tummy tuck (which I think is what I really need). So for now I'm opting for laser assisted lipo. I called to get a consult with Sonobello in Beverly Hills, CA, its close to my job and not too far from home.
My first impression of the office was ok, looks clean and nice but small and that's probably because I didn't get a grand tour. The "patient care consultant" was very forward and pushy. I almost felt pressured to do this. and it was the end of the business day. Needless to say I signed up and my procedure is set for the 10th of January 2015. I have a pre-op appointment with the Dr. performing this procedure. I will give an update in a week to discuss the meeting.
Bye for now...

Updated on 2 Jan 2015:


Updated on 3 Jan 2015:
Hi everyone,
Today I met the surgeon, Dr. John Hsu and now that I've met him I kind of feel relieved. He was nice, pleasant and confident in his practice which is important. I searched every where for reviews on this Doctor but could only find one and it was a good one. I found that he is a D.O. (licensed through the osteopathic medical board of California) and not an M.D. Now that I've done my research on the differences, I'm good with it. I also learned that he is the founder of the founder of the Bellavita Center in Beverly Hills, CA. I would love to see more of his work in before and after. I can tell that they have a large client/patient load, because they go through the steps quick. But they did answer my questions and let me take my time with my concerns. I now have 1 week to go. I'm not nervous or anxious yet...I am very optimistic about the results.
Dr. Hsu did tell me upfront that with my skin showing the wrinkling by the belly button area, he cannot guarantee that the skin will be tight (which I already know). He also discussed the fact that I will get some tightening and lift but not to go in too unrealistic. He also stated that I would definitely get a decrease in fat volume. And of course this procedure will do nothing for the stretch marks.
I have done the research on the risks, and the extent of correction a doctor can make and that individual results may vary.
With the kind of patient I am, my belly is very jiggly-soft and almost like a water balloon. The fat is weighing the skin down on my lower abs.
I am now off to get the dark colored clothes to bring, the Neosporin, extra absorbent pads, anti-bacterial soap, and fill my RX.
I'll update again post-op. Say a prayer for me. Bye.

Updated on 25 Jan 2015:
I keep having issues with uploading and updating so this is attempt 3 for this same post. I'll be keeping it simple so here we go.
Day 0 (day of surgery) Almost past out because I waited too long to eat. but once I ate and drank I was good so bring food and beverage. I had lots of bloody drainage and I was draining heavy one the left side but under further examination I realized that the pad under the compression garment was not on target. I basically did a lot of sleeping and waking and eating lol.
Day 1 p/o I was sore with slight swelling and constipated those antibiotics and the Norco will do that to you so I suggest high fiber intake. I also did a lot of sleep and waking and it was very uncomfortable to sit up straight so I reclined and laid flat in bed. I stopped draining today as well.
Day 2 p/o I did more walking around the house and some house hold chores. I even made a store run and the driving was uncomfortable because I had to sit up.
Day 3 p/o I returned to work and I do a lot of standing so I learned that by the end of the day I was very swollen and in discomforting pain. Too much standing or sitting can cause this but when I got home and took pain relief Arnica cream and a shower and LAYING down I was good. This also was the day that the stinging and burning sensation kicked in. My incisions were scabbed over and it was the last day for that white Abdominal binder too.
Day 4-7 p/o I became extremely swollen tight and uncomfortable especially after standing all day. Day 5 I think I was the biggest in regards to swelling. Day 6 had slight bruising show up and day 7 was the follow-up appt. and it went well I even was down a whole pound. I also ordered my one size smaller compression garment.
Week 2 p/o I'm down another 3lbs the swelling is going down more and more and no bruising. At the f/u appt. they asked if I wanted more Norco and I said no and by day 12 p/o I stopped ALL pain meds and I only use the Arnica cream and that stuff works well for me. I had 4,000cc (4L) total removed But I do understand that I was a better candidate for a TT. So I gotta stay realistic with my results and give it time by 6 months you'll be able to see 100% of your results and that does not mean 100% of the fat will be gone. I haven't worked out in over a year and I'm giving myself time to heal then I'll be back. But for now trying to eat right and walking plus wearing these compression garments 23/7 is where I'm at on this journey.

Updated on 25 Jan 2015: