Most of us would like to write down on our internet dating profiles that we're 10, 15, or 75 pounds lighter than we really are. And if you have a lot of weight to lose, there's really only one way to get there: by changing your lifestyle. But if those 10 pounds or so you want to lose are really just inches you want to shave off of your thighs, hips, or belly, you do have other options. Lazier, easier options that don't require you to spend hours slaving away at the gym. One of these is traditional liposuction, which, though generally safe, is invasive, painful, and implies a long recovery. Another newer option? Non-invasive ultrasound liposuction (for lack of a better word-- there's no suction involved), called UltraShape.
With this new procedure, focused ultrasound waves are sent deep into fat deposits, breaking them down and allowing them to be cleared out of the body over time. The procedure is what they call a "lunch hour" procedure; you go in, you spend an hour, and you go back to whatever you were doing. No pain, no fuss.
Sound too good to be true? Read on to learn a bit more about this new fat-busting procedure.
The Procedure
Unlike traditional liposuction, which requires sedation and a long, long recovery time, UltraShape is done in an office (rather than a surgery) setting and is almost completely pain-free. The procedure itself takes from between 60 and 90 minutes, and is used to reduce fat deposits in areas like the belly, thighs, and hips. Just like traditional liposuction, the procedure can't and isn't used on the whole body; it's only applied to those "problem areas" that we all have.
During the procedure, the practitioner will mark the areas to be treated. Then he or she will use a hand-held device to direct ultrasound energy into that specific area. The ultrasound energy will break down the fat, leaving everything else healthy and intact. Over a short period of time, the body will clear away the excess, broken-down fat, the quantities of which are small enough that it will do no damage to the liver as it's filtered through.
After a single procedure, patients lose an average of 2 centimeters (about 1 inch) of circumference in the area treated. Most patients schedule several treatments, allowing for greater reduction. Some see the effects immediately, while others do not see much change until two to three weeks afterwards, when the body has cleared the fat away.
Does it Work?
Like everything, UltraShape works differently for each person who tries it. But the short answer to this question is... yes. Most patients see a reduction of 2 cm each treatment, and some see even more. But because this sounded like a "too good to be true" offer, I spent some time reading reviews of this procedure online. While it's not yet approved for use in the U.S., UltraShape is already in use in Canada and parts of Europe. And many of the women and men who have tried it are delighted with the results.
Others, however, are not. Sifting through reviews, I found several which mentioned disappointment in the results... or a lack of results altogether. In researching these more deeply, it appeared that the results of this procedure were highly dependant on how it was carried out, and by whom.
A healthy lifestyle will always be important, and there's no miracle cure for saddle-bags or love handles. But if you're looking for a way to lose a few quick centimeters --and have a few thousand to spend on it-- UltraShape is looking like a very promising option, and a much safer one than traditional liposuction. Just be sure to do the research before committing to the procedure, and be sure that the clinic you're using will be able to provide the results you're looking for.
