I went to a consultation for liposuction at Sono Bello a couple months ago, in November. First of all, I pre-called to find about where to park and ask some preliminary questions, but could only be directed through the national 800 number. The operator at that number didn't know parking info for the Beverly Hills location, so had to give me yet another local number to call to find out the specific parking info. And... They don't validate.
The receptionist in the front was very pleasant. I filled out extensive paperwork and was brought back to the consultant, Sue's, office after a short wait. I told Sue my areas of concern, primarily abdomen and upper arms. She had me pull up my dress right there in her office, I was not even given a gown or put in an exam room.By the way, the consultants office window front faces Wilshire Blvd, which is so busy, with only a thin screen to shade you from the street's view.
Sue, although not a medical person, conducted my initial consultation, and was recommending liposuction to countless areas, despite my expressing I wasn't interested in those areas. After spending about 15 minutes with Sue, the surgeon came in and did the same - examined me with my dress held up right there in the consultant's office. I asked if I was guaranteed the surgeon who examined me would be the same one who conducted my liposuction and I was told no.
After the surgeon examined me, he didn't think I needed as many areas of liposuction as Sue had and told her right in front of me. However, when she was writing up my pricing at the end, after the surgeon had exited her office, she said she was "just going to include all the areas that SHE had originally recommended", despite the surgeons recommendation. Of course, to try to make a dollar even though it wouldn't be in my best interest or medically necessary for me! I ended up with a quote for $17,000 of surgery, despite my 5'3,115 lb. Frame. (Just so you know, after a consultation at a neighboring Beverly Hills surgeon's office, my surgical quote was only $6500... And they validated!)
Sue was extremely pushy during the consultation and called me the same afternoon of my consultation to further pressure me to book a surgery, despite the fact I told her I was in the "shopping" phase and planned to see other surgeons in the next few weeks. I felt like I was being given the hard-sell.
Luckily, in the meantime, I did more Internet research and found how there was a death at Sono Bello during a tumescent lipo procedure in the past couple years so I knew to stay far away. Here's my take - unprofessional establishment with a shady reputation. Very impersonal and inappropriate for a medically untrained SALESPERSON to be conducting any party of a medical consultation. I also don't like the fact that you do not necessarily get to meet the surgeon who would be doing your individual surgery. I would not return here and would definitely not recommend it to anyone considering liposuction.
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