SlimLipo™

SlimLipo™ Laser Body Sculpting Laserlipolysis

As more women and men want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continues to grow in popularity, making liposuction the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today. SlimLipo™ is the first and only laser-assisted lipolysis system to offer a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat. Using a high-powered laser, SlimLipo™ is a new Laser Body Sculpting procedure with less down time (just a couple of days vs 6 weeks) and less side effects than traditional liposuction.

How SlimLipo™ Works

If you're seeking a cutting-edge, highly effective method to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of many surgical techniques, then laser technology is definitely the technique you’ll want to consider. Routinely used in dental procedures, lasik eye surgery, reconstructive work and cosmetic procedures-including liposuction-laser technology is what sets SlimLipo apart from its competition. The word “laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Precise and safe, today’s medical-grade lasers work by creating a powerful light beam that is adjusted to a specific frequency range. SlimLipo is different in that it uses a carefully calibrated laser to liquefy fat deposits below the top layers of the patient’s skin. The laser actually ruptures fat cells, and the resulting liquified fat is then removed through a tiny incision in the skin by the physician. The small laser can also seal blood vessels as it zaps fat, so there is less swelling, bleeding and bruising than with traditional liposuction. Research has shown that little, if any, fat is reabsorbed back into the body. The minimal invasiveness of the procedure allows patients to see faster results and to experience fewer complications. In addition, SlimLipo patients need only a local anesthetic for this procedure, whereas traditional liposuction requires general anesthesia. Because the patient is not completely unconscious, SlimLipo carries much fewer risks than traditional liposuction, and the recovery time is much shorter. SlimLipo™:cutting-edge, safe and effective.

How does the SlimLipo™ procedure work?

A very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter containing a laser fiber is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth delivering the laser’s energy to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and easily drain away. The laser energy also interacts with the skin resulting in collagen shrinkage and ultimate skin tightening. Due to the cannula’s small size, SlimLipo™ is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact, resulting in less bleeding, swelling and bruising, – and a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction. Because general anesthesia is unnecessary, the procedure is very safe with only minimal side effects.

Is SlimLipo™ Right for You?

Almost anyone can be a good candidate for SlimLipo.

If you are in good health, exercise regularly, are within 25 lbs. of your ideal weight, have one or more areas of local body fat deposits that have responded poorly to diet and exercise, and are bothered by these fatty areas, then you’re a candidate for SlimLipo™.

What body regions can be treated with SlimLipo™?

SlimLipo™ is ideal for treating the abdomen, love handles, flanks, back, neck and much more.

How many treatments will I need?

For most patients, typically only one treatment is required. The procedure takes about 3 hours.

Do I have to do anything post-treatment?

After the treatment you will have minimal pain or bruising. We recommend 1-2 days rest but some patients are able to return to work the next day. You will also need to wear a compression garment.

Does SlimLipo™ treat cellulite?

The procedure is designed to improve the body’s shape and contour. SlimLipo™ will not specifically improve cellulite.

When can I expect to see results?

Results can be seen immediately with continued improvement over several months.

Does laser-assisted liposuction produce lasting results?

Yes! Adults do not create new fat cells. When a person gains weight, the fat cells expand. The SlimLipo™ procedure permanently removes the fat cells. Should you gain weight, most fat will be deposited in areas where the procedure was not performed. *Aest. Plast. Surg. 26:335-339, 2002

Advantages of SlimLipo™

We have chosen SlimLipo™ after studying the pros and cons of various methods of liposuction. Here are some key points:

During the procedure, there is minimal discomfort. After the anesthesia has worn off, it feels like the aches and pains that follow a vigorous workout. This is unlike in traditional liposuction where a patient typically feels significant discomfort in the treated areas. Less traumatic The small laser fiber in conjunction with the micro-cannula’s are inserted through a small incision in the skin – usually along creases that conceal the scar. The small incisions do not need stitches and heal nicely over the next few weeks.

We recommend 1–2 days rest but some patients are able to return to work the next day

SlimLipo™ is safer than traditional liposuction because there is less bleeding and anesthetic drugs used. In fact, in doing the procedure under tumescent technique, we have eliminated a lot of risks associated with general anesthesia.

Dr. Scott Gerrish is the first practice in Virginia to offer Zeltiq™, a new, revolutionary, non-invasive method that eliminates unwanted fat bulges.

The CoolSculpting™ Procedure

The Cool Way to Reduce Fat™

CoolSculpting™ by ZELTIQ™ is a new, non-invasive way to gently and effectively reduce fat in targeted areas of the body that results in a noticeable, natural-looking fat reduction in the treated areas. “What makes the CoolSculpting procedure different is that it uses advanced cooling technology to selectively target fat bulges and eliminate fat cells through a gradual process that does not harm the surrounding tissues. This procedure can reduce unwanted abdominal fat, love handles (flanks), back fat and inner and outer thighs. We are seeing remarkable results,” says Dr. Scott Gerrish.

New. The Cool Way to Reduce Fat.™

This medical animation shows how Cryolipolysis works to reduce fat. Unlike traditional invasive surgical procedures, the CoolSculpting procedure is non-invasive with no needles and no need for surgical incisions. During the procedure, a non-invasive applicator is applied to the skin surface to deliver precisely controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells in specific areas of the body. As they are exposed to cooling, the fat cells begin a process of natural cell removal. The fat cells in the treated area are gradually eliminated through the body’s normal metabolic processes, similar to how fat from food is eliminated. The result is a reduction in fat bulges that is visible in most patients in about two to four months.

Choosing Zeltiq™

Discover Zeltiq™, area fat reduction alternative. There are many body contouring methods available, the vast majority of which involve surgery. Among these procedures, Zeltiq stands out as a completely non-surgical body contouring method. Our patients come in for a simple office visit, with no anesthesia or incisions, and are on their way to slimmer, more sculpted body contours.

With unique technology called Cryolipolysis™, the Zeltiq device destroys fat cells through a controlled cooling process. The outside skin and surrounding tissues remain unharmed. Your improvements appear gradually within 2 to 4 months as the treated fat cells are naturally eliminated by the body. How cool is that!

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the results be?

The CoolSculpting™ by ZELTIQ™ procedure can reduce the fat layer by 20 to 40%. Scientific testing has found an average reduction of 20%. If the patient’s treatment plan calls for additional treatment to further improve the abdomen, love handles or back fat, this can be done after two to four months, depending on Dr. Gerrish’s advice. An additional 20% reduction can be experienced, resulting in a total fat loss of 40%. Final losses may be more or less, depending on the case.

What happens during the procedure?

The patient and doctor first select the area(s) to be treated. For instance, if your goal is to reduce belly fat, the doctor will position the system on the abdomen. The device then gently draws the bulge up between two cooling panels. The sensation is a firm pull – enough of a pull to ensure the tissue will be cooled most efficiently.

What does it feel like?

As the panels go to work in the first few minutes, the patient feels a cold sensation. This soon dissipates. The patient is seated comfortably or lying down during the one hour procedure. Many people spend this time reading, working on their laptop, or even taking a nap.

Can the patient return to normal activities after the procedure?

Yes. The CoolSculpting procedure is completely non-invasive, so the patient can return to normal activities immediately. Some patients experience redness, minor bruising, tingling, or numbness in the treated area, but this is temporary.

When will the patient see results?

Patients may start to see changes as quickly as 4-6 weeks after their treatment, and will experience the most dramatic results after two months. But the body is still flushing fat cells, and will continue doing so for up to four months.

Are the results permanent?

During the CoolSculpting procedure, the treated fat cells are eliminated. As long as the patient maintains his or her weight with diet and exercise, long-term results should remain stable.

How much does it cost?

Most areas will consist of 2 treatment “sites”: a left site and a right site, although some areas such as backs may require more (left upper, left lower, right upper, right lower, etc.) A “site” is a bulge of fat about the size that can fit in your hand. The applicator fits over this site and treats it for 1 hour. Fees are charged by sites, not by areas of the body. Photographs in our before and after gallery show real patients treated with CoolSculpting™ by ZELTIQ™. Individual results may vary compared to those in the photographs. If you are interested, call Dr. Gerrish today to determine if you are a good candidate for the non-invasive CoolSculpting procedure.