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• March 27, 2012

March 27, 2012

Would you have ever thought that fat could be removed without surgery?  Science fiction, right?  Well not anymore!  We are pleased to introduce CoolSculpting (by Zeltiq) and Liposonix to our patients, the first completely non-invasive techniques that remove fat.  SkinCare Physicians was one of a handful of centers in the world that was hand-picked to offer the first CoolSculpting and Liposonix treatments.  While there have been other companies and devices that have claimed to reduce fat without surgery, CoolSculpting and Liposonix are the first and only ones that actually do remove the fat, safely and permanently.  Several of our physicians have been involved with the research and development of CoolSculpting and Liposonix from the beginning, and we have proven scientific evidence that these techniques really do work.  The procedures are comfortable and take 1 to 3 hours. There is no need for anesthesia, while on occasion Liposonix patients receive injection of a mild pain medication (patients can still drive themselves home after either procedure) .During the procedure most patients read a book, listen to music, or watch television or a DVD.  The most common areas we treat are the upper and lower abdomen, love handles, hips, mid-back and bra line.  With some of our newer techniques, we are able to treat the arms, as well as both the inner and outer thighs.

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq

The way CoolSculpting works is through an ingenious method termed cryolipolysis.  Fat is more sensitive to cold than the rest of your skin. We selectively “supercool” the unwanted fat while the overlying skin is not damaged. Essentially, when fat gets very cold the body recognizes the fat as “damaged” and then removes it over time through natural processes.  It can take 3 to 6 months to see the final result, and in some patients a second or even a third procedure can be of benefit.  Research shows that as much as 25% of your unwanted fat layer can be removed in a single session. 

What is cryolipolysis? 

When fat is made very cold (just above the freezing point), fat cells become irreparably injured.  CoolSculpting is a novel technology that selectively makes fat cells cold, in turn causing permanent and effective fat cell loss.  Once the fat cells are treated, the body clears them through a natural process over a span of 3-6 months.
 
Is cryolipolysis dangerous? 

Extensive research on CoolSculpting has been performed, including right here at SkinCare Physicians.  Data reveals a superb safety record with CoolSculpting, and in multi-center research, there have not been any reports of adverse systemic effects from treatment.  Fat cells are gradually cleared from the body after CoolSculpting, so the liver and other vital organs are not impacted in any negative way. 

How much fat can you remove with CoolSculpting? 

A one hour session with CoolSculpting will treat an area about the size of your palm.  We can treat 2 to 3 palm-sized areas in any given session.  Research shows that CoolSculpting can eliminate up to 25% of the fat layer in each area we treat.  Additional treatments can remove more fat in any one area, so multiple treatments (to the same area) are cumulative. Liposonix uses ultrasound waves to gently eliminate treated fat cells.  Ultrasound technology has been used safely for decades in medicine, and Liposonix takes advantage of this proven method.  Once the fat cells have been exposed to the ultrasound energy, they are eliminated from your body via normal metabolism, never to return! 

Is Liposonix painful? 

Most patients feel only mild discomfort, and with some of our innovative techniques pain has been nearly eliminated.  For those patients who are sensitive, we use a mild injectable pain medication that does not cause drowsiness (Toradol).  Patients are able to drive themselves home, and there is virtually no discomfort once the procedure has been completed.
 
How much fat can be treated in one session with Liposonix? 

One of the advantages of Liposonix is the broad surface area that can be treated in a single session.  We can usually treat the abdomen and love handles in a single 60-90 minute session.  Thighs and arms take less than an hour for most patients. How long does it take to see results from 

CoolSculpting and Liposonix?
 
Most patients begin to see changes after a month or two.  It can take up to 6 months to see the final result.  Some patients elect to have a second treatment to eliminate as much fat as possible. 

Who are the best candidates for CoolSculpting and Liposonix?
 
CoolSculpting and Liposonix work best for patients who have a mild to moderate amount of extra fat that they would like to have removed.  Patients with small to medium sized specific areas of fat on the abdomen, bra-line, or love handles are ideal, and with recent advancements we can treat the arms and thighs!  Good skin tone is also helpful, but we are able to treat patients with stretch marks and a small amount of sagging skin.   Both procedures are useful in patients who would like to be a little smaller, but do not have enough fat to warrant having liposuction.  Most specifically, CoolSculpting and Liposonix are perfect for patients who want to remove fat but also would like to avoid having surgery. 

What are the most common areas that are treated? 

For now, we treat the love handles, hips, upper and lower abdomen, and bra line fat most frequently.  We have new technology that allows us to treat the outer and inner thighs, knees and arms. 

What is post treatment recovery like?
 
Most patients have absolutely zero recovery or down-time.  Immediately after the treatment the skin can feel sore or stiff, but this resolves quickly.  Redness can persist for a couple of days, and although unusual, some patients develop bruising in the treated area.  Infrequently, patients experience soreness in the area for a couple of weeks, and a slight change in sensation in the treated area for up to 8 weeks.