Approved by the FDA last year, Zeltiq, also called CoolSculpting, is a new cosmetic procedure that many perceive as a noninvasive alternative to liposuction. The Zeltiq method makes use of a clamp-like device with two gel patches attached to it. Unwanted flab is clamped between the two patches, a technique which cause the fat cells in the body to freeze and die, becoming absorbed by the body over time.
Professionals in the field claim that Zeltiq is backed by the science of Cryolipolysis, or in layman's terms, the decomposition of fat caused by freezing. The theory is that the fat cells under the skin are less resilient to the cold and will die before any other surrounding cells do; thus, the skin is protected during the procedure. Although no independent research has yet to be conducted, the company reports fat reduction percentages of up to 40% in the treated area.
The results of the procedure are not immediate since the frozen fat cells are processed by the body over a period of several months. Depending on the patient maintaining a regular routine of diet and exercise, the results can be permanent. Because the procedure can only freeze off existing fat, not prevent new fat cells from being stored, the long-term benefits of the procedure rests entirely with the individual.
Cosmetic surgeons do not recommend the procedure for patients who are significantly overweight and say that it does not replace a healthy active lifestyle as the primary means of weight loss. According to body contouring specialists, the best candidates are those of normal body weight who simply have a stubborn area of flab that will not go away despite diet and exercise. The procedure is most commonly used to freeze away undesirable fat around the stomach or back.
Compared to liposuction, the Zeltiq procedure is much less invasive and requires a fraction of the time and cost. Patients opting for Zeltiq can go back to their normal activities immediately following the procedure whereas the recovery time after liposuction can range from a few weeks or even months.
Patients opting for the Zeltiq method can have the entire procedure completed in the doctor's office within an hour with no anesthesia and minimal side effects such as soreness, redness, or bruising. Patients also report some mild pain and a tugging sensation caused by the cold clamps. This discomfort usually subsides as the area becomes numb due to the cold.
The procedure can be repeated as necessary, but patients must wait at least 60 days before a new treatment can be administered. The cost of each procedure can range from $500 to $2000, depending on the size of the area being treated.
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