The hottest news in fat removal is lasers that claim to melt your fat away. To be clear, none of the FDA approved
devices out there can turn your solid butter, unwanted fat into liquid vegetable oil.
Fat melting lasers can be broken down into two groups. The first group consists of lasers used for surgical laser
lipolysis. With these lasers, a laser fiber is typically inserted under the skin into anesthesized fatty tissue to break
down the fat cells with heat. Smartlipo by Cynosure was the first brand to hit the market in the United States, but
now there are at least half a dozen of such lasers being commonly used for this purpose. Other more common
lipolysis lasers include Coolipo by Cool Touch, Inc., Lipotherm by Osyris, Prolipo by Sciton, LipoLite from
Syneron, SlimLipo by Palomar, Smooth Lipo by Elena Medical, and Lutronic Accusculpt, to name a few.
The wavelengths (the particular part of the light spectrum for the laser beam) of these lasers are selected to break
down fat cells with heat and stimulate some degree of tightening of the skin. When collagen is heated to about 42
degrees Celsius, a shrink wrap effect is produced in the skin over the months that follow.
Once the fat is emulsified (broken down), it is then typically removed by gentle suction using thinner, more delicate
instruments that cause much less trauma and pain to the body than traditional liposuction instruments. That is why
the fat can be removed without potentially risky general anesthesia. Instead, local anesthetic fluid is spread into the
fat that will be removed, to make the fat removal painless. Less trauma also translates into less post-operative pain,
less need for narcotic pain medication, and faster recovery. Most patients are back to work in 3 to 4 days and
exercising within one week.
The best candidates are those who are close to their ideal body weight with resistant areas that are not responding to
proper diet and exercise. Most medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid abnormalities, and
heart problems must be stabilized first. You should also cease smoking several weeks prior to the procedure date.
The reduction in size occurs gradually over the 2-3 weeks during which the treatments are being performed about
every other day. There is a generalized reduction of fat and inches in the area, but not the precise body sculpting
that can be achieved with the surgical fat removal using Smartlipo or Vaser LipoSelection.
The most popular of theses types of lasers, often referred as diode lasers is Zerona by Erchonia. Lipo-Ex is also a
non-contact, relatively painless, device to reduce subcutaneous fat that uses bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy
instead of light, to slightly heat up tissue under the skin very gradually. In theory, this increases the metabolic
breakdown as the fat. As with the Zerona, the fat melted by Lipo-Ex is also removed by the bodys lymphatic
system.
The best results are achieved when the person is exercising regularly, as this improves the lymphatic clearance of
the fat released from the cells. Results are also enhanced, of course, when you are eating properly and not trying to
plump up those fat cells again.
The best candidates for these non-surgical lasers are individuals who are within 20 to 30 pounds of their ideal
body weight who desire a slimmer look in a general area of the body, such as thighs, buttocks, back or waistline.
Since the fat cells are not physically removed, as they are with Vaser Lipo or Smartlipo, repeat rounds of treatments
or maintenance treatments are often recommended every few months.
If you are considering any of these procedures, a personal consultation and examination with the surgeon is the
only way to determine which options are best for you.
What is SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is a remarkable method for removing unwanted body fat through a low-pain, highly efficient process. Instead of the
bulky tubes and uncomfortable office visits required of traditional liposuction, SmartLipo utilizes smaller instruments and
specialized technology to zap fat cells for contouring and reshaping areas of the body including the abdomen, love handles,
backs, thighs, hips, knees, arms, neck, jowls, and chin. The SmartLipo laser is the first and only available FDA-approved laser
device to rupture the membranes of the fat cells, which allows for the absorption and elimination process of excess adipose
cells.
Using the finer, more delicate instruments, Vaser Lipo can correct irregularities left over from previous liposuction operations
in a matter of minutes.
Larger areas traditionally treated with tumescent liposuction can also be reduced more effectively by melting the fat and
tightening the skin prior to aspirating (sucking) the fat with Smartlipo or Vaser Lipo. Depending on the areas and the size of the
patient, sometimes over five liters of fat can be removed from the body in just one day.
It is important to recognize that though Vaser Lipo is highly effective, it is only appropriate for patients wishing to lose fat
bulges in isolated areas to sculpt a better contour. Vaser Lipo will not provide satisfactory results for persons needing to lose
significant amounts of weight -- such patients require alternate methods for weight loss. Dr. Rodriguez will counsel you on the
method that is most appropriate.
Is it covered by insurance?
No, Zerona treatments are considered elective and are not covered by insurance.
Is it safe?
Yes, there is no risk involved in using the Zerona low-level laser therapy and it is considered a safe alternative to invasive
procedures such as tumescent liposuction and lipodissolve and other non-invasive devices like the Accent, VelaShape, and
Thermage ,which rely on heating the tissue and can cause discomfort. None of these have the proven data showing how fat cell
size is reduced like the Zerona. The Zerona treatment is 100% non-invasive and causes no bruising, scaring and zero
downtime. During the treatment you will feel no discomfort, no anesthesia will be used and you can assume normal activities
immediately following each treatment.
Is it effective?
Yes, with the Zerona treatment and by following the recommended guidelines for success, you can expect to experience a loss
of 3 9 inches from your waist, hips and thighs and a reduction in clothes size. Additionally, early patients have noticed an
improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
Can I do the procedure multiple times? And how soon after my last treatment can I do a second treatment?
Yes, with additional treatments you can expect to see improved results. You can start an additional series of Zerona treatments
immediately following your last treatment. Speak to your technician or physician about any discount programs that may apply.
If your have an interest in viewing Zerona treatment, you can visit findzerona.com.
Click on the link below to view the patient video of fat burning Vaser Lipo:
www.LipoBodySculpture-Dallas-Houston.com