CoolSculpting Update

Coolsculpting Update

 

Ongoing studies continue to confirm the effectiveness and safety of cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting). In a study presented at the 2012 American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery a phone interview looking at side effects was conducted with patients one month after their treatment. All patients reported redness that lasted about 1 hour, and altered sensation that lasted up to one month after treatment. Bruising was reported in 4% and light headedness from treatments on the abdomen was reported in 2.1 %. 0.9% reported swelling and firmness lasting 2-5 weeks and 0.6% reported significant pain lasting a maximum of 1 month.

This study confirmed the results of a 314 patient multi-center trial reported at the 2010 meeting. This study found no serious side effects and no skin damage or color change. Minor side effects were temporary bruising, mild discomfort, decreased sensation, redness and swelling, all of which cleared without treatment.

Another study presented at the 2012 meeting involved massaging one side for 2 minutes immediately after the treatment. This resulted in an additional 68% reduction in fat on the massaged side, as evaluated by ultrasound.

These studies confirm our experience with the procedure. The vast majority of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the CoolSculpting, and many return to have an additional treatment at the same site, which has been shown to result in a percentage improvement similar to the first treatment, or treatment at another site.

Gerald N Bock MD

California Skin & Laser Center

Stockton & Lodi, CA

 

Liposuction = Weight Loss?

Many people approach liposuction with the hope that this procedure will aid them in controlling their weight. However, ever since the early days of liposuction, and even with some physicians preforming large volume liposuction, it has been clear that people who have liposuction do not end up weighing less. The standard mantra has been that liposuction, and almost certainly Zeltiq as well, are spot reduction measures and not weight reduction measures. However, until now there has not been a good explanation for this. After all, it seems logical that if a pound or two of fat were removed, the patient should end up weighing a pound or two less. A study recently published in the journal "Obesity" provides some explanations.

Zeltiq: A Triple but not a Home Run

The Zeltiq Coolsculpting device has been the most succesful piece of equipment we have ever acquired. It works exactly as advertised. It is useful for belly fat, love handles and back fat. We have also used it on the buttocks and the male breast. These last two applications are off label, and the use on the buttocks was for volume reduction and not shaping.

Everyone sees results, which usually start to become apparent after one month, and can continue to improve for up to three months. Each treatment removes 20-25% of the fat in the roll of tissue thay is grabbed by the machine. Most people end up having two, or occasionally more treatments in the same area. Everyone sees results and we have had no unhappy patients.