Stubborn Fat How To Get Rid Of It

By Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, MD

Visage Dermatology and Aesthetic Center

. http://www.visagederm.com/

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Stubborn Fat How To Get Rid Of It

Invasive fat removal procedures include liposuction and laser lipolysis (melting fat cells) followed by liposuction. Some non-invasive body contouring devices can be limited in their ability to treat certain areas of fat and may require several hours and/or multiple treatment sessions to adequately address problem areas. We will discuss liposuction and non-invasive technologies currently available.

None of these treatment modalities are meant to replace a healthy diet and regular exercise and they are not methods by which to lose weight. These are body contouring treatments, meant to reduce fat and take inches off of your abdomen, waist, love handles, back, and/or saddle bags.

Invasive Treatments

Liposuction. Tumescent liposuction is performed by injecting dilute local anesthetic into the treatment area and then using a liposuction cannula to aspirate the fat. This is a very effective form of fat removal with long-lasting results.

Prior to tumescent liposuction, blood work and an EKG should be performed to ensure that one is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. Sometimes patients may think they are well enough for cosmetic surgery, but in reality they are not. Invasive fat reduction procedures, such as liposuction, typically carry certain surgical risks (as do all surgical procedures). This is why the Donda West Law (inspired by the late mother of Kanye West) was passed, making health checks and a written clearance mandatory before being allowed to undergo cosmetic surgery in the state of California.

Invasive procedures are also associated with significant post-treatment recovery downtime, post treatment pain medications are normally prescribed, and compression garments must be worn for six weeks post treatment.

Liposuction may be the best option for some clients, depending on the amount of fat present and the area where the fat is concentrated. However, for clients who prefer not to undergo surgery, or who are unable to commit to social or recovery downtime, there are many non-invasive, and affordable options.

Laser Lipolysis (Eg. Smart Lipo). Laser lipolysis, which is normally followed by conventional liposuction, practically pops fat cells with a tiny hot poker the laser light. The fat cells pop like popcorn, and are melted. The fat cells release an oily substance that is aspirated with standard liposuction instruments.

Laser lipolysis is a two-step process and skin tightening may also be observed. There are definitely incisions and there may be pain and bruising. Anesthetics and pain medications are required. Compression garments must be worn for six weeks post procedure (as with traditional liposuction).

Non-Invasive Treatments

Radiofrequency (Eg. Xilis). These devices deliver radiofrequency energy to the deeper layers of skin, speeding up metabolic activity and breaking apart the fat cells. At the same time, collagen production is stimulated, improving skin texture and laxity. There is some discomfort and hydration is important to flush away the fat (up to 15 glasses a day before and after treatment may be recommended). Light exercise is recommended to optimize results. There may be slight redness and mild soreness in the treatment area post treatment. Four to six sessions are generally recommended to achieve optimal results. Touch-up treatments every six months can help maintain results.

Ultrasound (Eg. Liposonix). Ultrasound energy is used to penetrate through the skin layers and into the targeted fat tissue without harming skin or surrounding tissues. Some ultrasound body contouring technologies use low-intensity, low-frequency, or unfocused energy which can require multiple treatments and that may lead to unpredictable results. Newer ultrasound devices use high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to non-invasively destroy targeted subcutaneous fat.

If you're close to your ideal shape, but need a little help getting there, ultrasound technologies may be good for you. They get rid of targeted fat around the waistline (abdomen and love handles) without surgery. After treatment, there may be some discomfort (pain), bruising, redness, and swelling. Results are typically seen in 8-12 weeks (which is the time needed for the body to naturally process the treated fat).

Low-Level Laser/Cold Laser (Eg. Zerona). Low-level/cold laser exposure disrupts fat cell membranes, causing them to leak and the fat cells to then collapse. Anesthetic is not required and there is no downtime. Six 40-minute sessions, 48 hours apart, over the course of two weeks are required.

Body Wraps. Body wraps are designed to detoxify, reduce weight by cutting water retention and moisturizing the skin. Technicians apply seaweed, mineral-rich mud or other products then wrap the body tightly in a large sheet, blanket or Mylar covering. Clients are then wrapped from head to toe with bandages that are soaked in a wrap solution. Then they remain in the wrap for an hour. After the hour you are unwrapped and re-measured.

Body wrapping is not scientifically proven to help with fat or weight loss. Body wraps promise to tighten and tone, firm, and minimize the appearance of cellulite. After a wrap, one may lose inches, but this may simply be due to dehydration and water loss. The results are variable, unpredictable, and short-lived.

Each body wrap session can cost $145-$300 per treatment at a salon. Furthermore, several treatments must be performed. Some swear by body wraps and enjoy the relaxing experience.

CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting (by Zeltiq) destroys fat cells via cryolipolysis (freezing/cooling), hence the name COOLSculpting. It is great for treating larger fat deposits. If you can grab a handful of fat, you generally will benefit much more from CoolSculpting. As long as the fat can be pinched, CoolSulpting can be done on the abdomen, love handles, saddle bags, thighs and back.

With CoolSculpting, a large suction cup sucks the skin along with the underlying fat. The “sucked in” area is then chilled for an hour without affecting the overlying skin. The fat cells undergo a slow death and the frozen (destroyed) fat cells are naturally cleared by your body over a couple of weeks. Results are seen within four weeks, with maximum results at three months. Only one treatment is normally required, but you may sculpt as much as you need.

CoolSculpting is an excellent option for women and men who exercise regularly, yet have stubborn fat that is not responsive to diet and exercise. CoolSculpting is also a great option for those whose busy schedules and lives do not permit long work outs or post-surgery down time. When treating larger bellies, one may “de-bulk” with a larger CoolSculpting piece and later fine tune with a smaller piece. Treatment only takes one hour. Many of us spend more than one hour in traffic, waiting at the salon, or waiting on the cable company.

Say good-bye to love handles poking through your golf shirt or muffin tops hanging over your skinny jeans, and say farewell to the “back fat” and “bra fat” causing ripples under your form fitting clothes in one hour. There is no pain or anesthesia, no incision and usually no bruising. There may be some soreness after the procedure, but many of our clients say that it is less than that experienced with liposuction. There is no downtime as you may return to work, the gym, or caregiving immediately after. A healthy diet and exercise are always recommended, but no rigorous exercise plans or dietary restrictions are required for CoolSculpting. If you've already had liposuction or a tummy tuck or non-invasive procedures before, you may still have CoolSculpting for residual fat. CoolSculpting may also be combined with other procedures to treat stretch marks and tighten loose skin. No one will know that you had a procedure done, and most importantly, it is affordable.

One Power Hour with CoolSculpting will improve your appearance, allow you to fit comfortably into clothes that you've tucked away in the back of the closet and ultimately help you feel better about yourself. One CoolSculpting session will allow you to fit into that dress or those pants that you purchased for “when you lose all the weight”.

Our clients really optimize their Power Hour and conduct business meetings, work on their lap tops, dim the lights and relax, while others catch some ZZZs. We don't mind snoringit is a compliment to how much of a relaxing environment we create for our clients. Results may be seen sooner in CoolSculpting (4-6 weeks) than with lipolysis (3-6 months).