By: Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian
As Medical Director of the Liposuction and Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Chicago, I am constantly trying out the latest approved clinical procedures. One non-surgical fat removal treatment I have recently started offering at my practice is CoolSculpting by ZELTIQ.
Founded in 2005, ZELTIQ has quickly gained a reputation as a leading developer of medical devices for non-invasive procedures. The company`s patented Cryolipolysis technology utilizes highly controlled and localized cooling to destroy fat cells without damaging the skin or other tissues. For some people, it presents a viable alternative to traditional surgical fat removal techniques such as liposuction. The technology behind CoolSculpting has been thoroughly tested and studied with FDA approval coming in September, 2010. Extensive initial testing of cryolipolysis was undertaken by physicians at the The Wellman Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
Cryolipolysis is most suitable for patients who need minimal fat reduction on the abdomen, hips, or thighs, and do not want to undergo surgical procedures. One of the most common uses is for women who exercise and follow nutritious diets, but have stubborn fat left over from past pregnancies. The average localized fat loss achieved through cryolipolysis is about 20 percent.
I obtained a ZELTIQ machine for my practice in November 2010, and was very excited to try it out on my own love handles, which I described on my public Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/PlasticRoyalty . I found the process remarkably quick and painless. I simply sat in a chair without anesthesia, and applied a cooling suction device to the fat I was targeting. The device pulled my love handle bulge between dual cooling panels, bringing the skin to a temperature above freezing. The noticeable effects were a temporary numbing sensation and minimal redness. I am patiently awaiting the results of the procedure since actual fat loss effects o take about two to four months to manifest.
For further information on the innovative ZELTIQ process, I recommend visiting the website www.coolsculpting.com.
Dr. Leon Forrester Tcheupdjian M.D.'s Blog 