Fat Deposit Frustrations? Freeze Them

When it comes to treating fat deposits on the hips, midsection, arms and back, liposuction has become the gold standard. However, this surgical procedure isn’t right for everyone. For men and women frustrated by love handles, muffin tops or tummy pooches, there’s a new non-surgical alternative to liposuction in Los Angeles, CA. It’s called CoolSculpting®.

CoolSculpting is easy, and effective:

• You can relax, read or listen to music during your procedure. No anesthetic, no incisions and no downtime is needed. A specially designed device draws up your skin and positions it between two cooling panels.
• Because fat cells freeze at a warmer temperature than surrounding tissue, this technology destroys your fat cells safely without affecting your skin.

During the weeks after your treatment, your body’s natural cleansing processes gradually eliminate the destroyed fat cells. Within a few months, you’ll notice that your clothes are looser and the targeted regions, such as your hips and mid-section, have become more sculpted. Studies show that fat in the targeted areas is reduced by up to 25 percent.

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The Facts about CoolSculpting® by ZELTIQ®

Women and men who lead healthy and active lifestyles frequent my office with questions concerning their options for non-surgical alternatives to liposuction in Los Angeles for small and often difficult to remove pockets of fat. CoolSculpting® by ZELTIQ® uses a controlled cooling process to freeze fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated by your body. Here are 5 facts to help you understand just how effective this popular procedure is:

• Patients can resume daily activities, even exercise, almost immediately after each treatment. This is a great option for people with an active family or work schedule.
• The entire procedure typically takes less than an hour, making it an ideal “lunch break” treatment.
• On average, patients who visit my practice experience about a 20% reduction of fat. Although one treatment may provide the results you desire, I commonly see patients who want to extend their results with continued treatments.
• Clinical studies on hundreds of patients have shown that the procedure is an effective way to reduce fat without the pain, risk, and recovery time of some surgical procedures.
• CoolSculpting only targets fat cells. The surrounding tissue and skin is left unharmed, and any redness will dissipate within a few hours of treatment.

No two people have the exact same body type or cosmetic goals, so I always encourage patients to visit my practice for personalized and professional advice. Whether you’re looking to achieve your ideal body, or simply want to enhance the results you’ve achieved in the gym, CoolSculpting is an excellent tool for looking and feeling great.

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Ready for Liposuction?

Women and men in Los Angeles considering liposuction may wonder how they can determine whether the procedure is right for them. This procedure is growing in popularity, and is an excellent option for many of my patients who want to eliminate small areas of fat, such as the “love handles.”

When patients come to my practice for a liposuction consultation, there are some quick and easy ways that I can check if this is the right procedure for their needs. Here’s a shortened version of my checklist to see if you’re ready for liposuction:

• Physical: One of the best ways to prepare for any surgery is to check that you are at a reasonable weight for your age and height. Since liposuction is not intended as a tool for major weight loss, check your cosmetic goals to make sure this procedure is right for you. Ideal liposuction candidates are people who lead active and healthy lifestyles, but who have stubborn pockets of fat, such as “love handles.”
• Mental/Emotional: Although advances in procedural techniques have made liposuction a safe procedure, it’s important to understand the mild risks associated with any surgery. A great way to ensuring the results you desire is seeking out a board-certified surgeon. That surgeon can help you set realistic expectations, and make sure it’s the right procedure for achieving your cosmetic goals.

Once you feel you are ready for liposuction, you can set up a consultation with an experienced board-certified surgeon. Together, you can create a treatment plan customized just for your needs.

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Alternatives to Liposuction

Liposuction in Los Angeles is no longer the only option for fat reduction. A number of plastic surgeons offer liposuction alternatives that can provide nonsurgical ways to diminish small pockets of fat around the body. Here are 3 options for people interested in liposuction alternatives:

• CoolSculpting® from ZELTIQ™ removes stubborn fat by freezing cells through a cooling process. No damage is done to surrounding tissue or skin, and the body naturally eliminates fat cells in targeted areas over the months that follow each treatment.
• ZERONA® is a low-level laser energy used to liquefy fatty material in cells, forcing it into intercellular space. Specifically, this treatment targets fat near the surface of the skin, also known as subcutaneous fat, to provide a visible improvement in a person’s body contour.
• EXILIS uses radiofrequency energy to heat deeper layers of the skin to target mild to moderate fat deposits. This treatment is a great option for people who want to simultaneously slim their bodies and firm their skin.

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Why I Attend Plastic Surgery Conventions

Plastic surgery conventions are a place where surgeons from around the country and sometimes from across the world gather to discuss and learn about the latest innovations in the field. As a lipo surgeon in Los Angeles, I find that plastic surgery conventions are a great way to learn different techniques as well as a way to learn from other surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery.

I also attend plastic surgery conventions as a speaker. As a presenter, I strive to teach other surgeons different techniques that I have spent years perfecting. I enjoy both educating and instructing other surgeons on some of the most innovative and advanced techniques possible.

In addition, these conventions are a great place to network and meet others in the field who are active in plastic and cosmetic surgery. For these reasons, I plan to continue attending and presenting at these conventions.

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CoolSculpting™ vs. ZERONA®

In my experience, there are plenty of women and men who are searching for liposuction alternatives in Los Angeles. With multiple options, confusion about which techniques can give optimal results is understandable. Some of the newest lipo alternatives – CoolSculpting™ by ZELTIQ™ and ZERONA™ – are making headlines and while these treatments share some similarities, their methods of treatment differ significantly.

CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ

CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ is a non-surgical liposuction alternative that freezes fat cells, which are then subsequently eliminated through the body’s natural cleansing process. People interested in this treatment usually are experiencing stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. In addition, common characteristics of CoolSculpting candidates include:

• People who are within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal weight
• Those who want to look better without going “under the knife”
• People who want a procedure with minimal downtime

CoolSculpting uses a treatment method called Cryolipolysis™. This method targets, cools, and eliminates fat cells, without damaging the surrounding tissue. This procedure is relatively quick, with treatment lasting about 1 to 3 hours.

ZERONA

ZERONA is also a non-surgical liposuction method. It uses laser technology to liquefy targeted fat cells, which are subsequently removed through the body’s natural cleansing process. While this may sound similar to CoolSculpting, ZERONA uses laser technology instead of Cryolipolysis to eliminate the fat cells. However, like CoolSculpting, this treatment is worth considering for people who are close to their ideal body weight and have bulges of fat that do not respond to exercise and diet. Some of the benefits of ZERONA include:

• No bruising or swelling after treatment
• No scars
• No recovery time
• Minimal to no discomfort

Which Method Is Right for Me?

To find out whether you could benefit from one of these treatments, find a practice near you that offers both CoolSculpting and ZERONA. A practice offering both treatments will be most likely to give you an honest opinion about which one is most likely to provide the greatest benefit given your cosmetic goals.

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Why Compression Garments after Liposuction?

Most plastic surgeons will instruct you to wear an elastic compression garment after liposuction in Los Angeles. While it may seem like an inconvenience, wearing the garment is very beneficial for your recovery process and may actually reduce recovery time. Today, I’d like to help you understand how and why they work.

When used after tumescent liposuction, compression garments can help in several important ways. They can:
 

• Encourage excess fluid to drain effectively
• Reduce postoperative swelling
• Minimize bruising
• Help support your new body contours

With tumescent liposuction, there is always some fluid that remains after the procedure. While this is not dangerous, it may increase bruising, swelling, and tenderness. Traditionally, a plastic surgeon would suture the incisions shut after liposuction, forcing the patient’s circulatory system to filter out the remaining fluid often called a “closed-drainage” technique. More recently, surgeons have begun to use an “open-drainage” system, where the incisions are left open to encourage quick draining. When the fluid is allowed to drain quickly, the tenderness, bruising and swelling don’t last as long and the patient recovers faster.

While the length of your recovery will largely depend on the extent of your liposuction and your unique health and anatomy, a compression garment can help make this process shorter. It will encourage the excess fluid to either be absorbed more quickly or drained more quickly regardless of whether your surgeon performs a “closed” or “open-drainage” technique.

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Liposuction – More Than Just Fat Removal

Liposuction has become one of the country’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, because when performed properly by a skilled surgeon, it is quick, safe, and it works. With the tremendous growth in the demand for this procedure, it seems like doctors everywhere are offering liposuction. In Los Angeles, it is not uncommon for dermatologists, gynecologists and general practitioners to offer liposuction procedures. Although liposuction may seem simple, it isn’t, and you should trust only a board-certified-plastic surgeon to perform this procedure.

Liposuction involves so much more than fat removal. My Los Angeles liposuction patients come to me for body sculpting, not just fat removal. What’s the difference?

• Fat Removal is just about extracting fat from the body. On its own, it does not require an artistic eye or a technique that minimizes bruising, swelling, or scarring.
• Body Contouring requires a combination of knowledge, technical skill and artistic vision to sculpt targeted areas of the body. These come only through extensive education, training, and experience dedicated to liposuction – not a weekend course.

Other considerations involved with liposuction include evaluation of skin tone, the patient’s weight, advanced sculpting techniques, treating smaller or more difficult areas, and above all else, patient safety. All of these factors are additional reasons why it matters a great deal who is performing the liposuction procedure.

There are also numerous types of liposuction available, and it important that your doctor understands the best type of liposuction for your particular needs. I teach liposuction courses to other surgeons, and cannot emphasize enough that the combination of a skilled, knowledgeable surgeon with the right contouring technique for your cosmetic goals is essential for a pleasing outcome.

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Los Angeles Liposuction: Common Questions from Patients

In Southern California and Los Angeles, liposuction is often the subject of many celebrity news stories. Today I thought I’d take a moment to discuss a few common questions my staff and I receive regarding liposuction, laser liposuction, and Smartlipo™.

Are some areas of the body resistant to, or inappropriate for, liposuction?

Certainly, some areas of the body are more difficult to treat, particularly areas like the “love handles” or lower back where fat is interspersed between fibrous muscle tissue. However, virtually all areas of the body can be treated with liposuction. Some liposuction technologies are better than others for treating particular areas, and sometimes a combination of technologies produces the most favorable result. A qualified plastic surgeon can determine how to help you reach your personal aesthetic goals.

What is the difference between traditional and tumescent liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is performed under general anesthesia, using an instrument to dislodge and remove fatty tissue. Tumescent liposuction improves upon this technique through the use of large volumes of saline, anesthesia, and adrenaline injected into the treatment area to create a fluid “pocket” surrounding the fatty deposits. The injection of tumescent fluid makes the fat cells easier to separate and remove from the body. Practically all plastic surgeons use the tumescent technique these days because it makes the surgery and recovery period easier.

Is Smartlipo an alternative to tumescent liposuction?

No, Smartlipo is not an alternative to tumescent liposuction. Instead, it is one of many different techniques to be used during tumescent liposuction to dissolve or destroy fat in target areas. These techniques include mechanical disruption (PAL), ultrasound dissolution (UAL), or laser lipolysis.

Smartlipo uses bursts of laser energy to liquefy fat cells, which are then removed with a suction device. The laser energy also seals blood vessels, which can help reduce bruising, swelling, and healing time. As an added benefit, the procedure stimulates collagen production and causes tissues to contract, leaving skin looking tightened and toned. It’s an excellent technology for removing small areas of localized fat—or as an adjunct to other liposuction technologies.

My focus is on positive patient outcomes, and I always strive to use the best approach, including new techniques and technologies, to meet each patient’s unique aesthetic needs.

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Getting Branded: Liposuction by Any Other Name

No one can deny the power of big-name brands – whether they are cars, fashion designers, or even on the shelves of your grocery store. So, it’s not surprising that they’ve become a part of the plastic surgery industry as well. One of the places we’re seeing this the most is with liposuction. Branded liposuction technology has the power of name-recognition, but is it really safer and does it provide better results?

Names You’ve Heard

Here are some of the names you may have heard:

• VASER® LipoSelection® uses an ultrasound probe to break up fat cells for easier removal.
• Cynosure Smartlipo™ uses laser energy to break up fat cells. It has the added benefit of reducing bleeding and bruising for faster recovery and can aid in the tightening of skin after liposuction, for a smoother look.
• Palomar SlimLipo™ also uses laser energy and suggests benefits similar to those of the Smartlipo procedure.
• CoolTouch® CoolLipo™ is also a method of laser-assisted liposuction.

Are They Better?

The main question regarding these branded liposuction devices is whether they offer better outcomes than similar technology not backed by a marketing effort. In their article, the Plastic Surgery Channel suggests that some surgeons offer these procedures because the name-recognition may help differentiate their practice from their competitors. Is this really the “right” reason to do it? I think not. And, even if technology is superior, inferior surgical skill can reduce effectiveness, making the branded technology a non-issue.

I choose to use Smartlipo liposuction at my Los Angeles practice because it does offer distinct benefits for my patients. I’ve found that it truly does live up to its claims of limited recovery time and superior results. However, for ultrasonic liposuction and Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL), I don’t boast any big-name brands. I’ve found technology to assist me in these procedures that provides optimal safety and effectiveness – factors even the most hyped brands can’t beat. In short, I’m always looking for the best methods for my patients, not basing my decisions upon marketing but instead on quality. Better name does NOT necessarily mean better results.

I’m not suggesting that mine is the only opinion. I think you’d get a variety of different responses from different surgeons, and you may even have your own opinion if you’ve had a liposuction procedure yourself. So, I’d like to hear from you – patients and surgeons. Do you think the branded technology is better?

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