You hit the gym. You eat your vegetables. But you still wrestle with love handles, belly fat, or other stubborn areas on your body. Until recently, your only other option for getting rid of those frustrating fatty deposits was to pursue plastic surgery or some other invasive procedure. But new body sculpting treatments are offering patients ways to take control of their bodies and put those problem spots in the rearview mirror. SculpSure, offered by Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA, literally melts fat cells away through a series of easy treatments that can work on multiple parts of the body.
What Is SculpSure?
SculpSure is a laser-based fat-reduction treatment that can be used to address flabby areas that have resisted diet and exercise. It relies on heat from laser energy to break down fat cells, which the lymphatic system then naturally flushes from your system during the weeks following your treatment. This convenient, non-invasive treatment takes place in our comfortable office and involves no downtime. Clinical tests conducted by Cynosure, the company that developed this technology, found that one session can cut fat by an average of 24% in the treatment area.
What Can I Expect During Treatment?
Prior to your treatment, we’ll talk with you about your cosmetic goals and the areas you’d like to focus on. We’ll then take some measurements and mark the treatment areas. The machine used during treatment is a free-standing piece of equipment with four long tubes attached to it, each of which has an applicator that is placed against the part of the body being addressed. We’ll be able to focus on multiple areas of concern in one session. Depending on what part of your body is being treated, you’ll likely be able to sit comfortably in a reclined position.
What Does the Treatment Feel Like?
Once treatment begins, you’ll feel a cooling sensation that is intended to keep you comfortable. As the laser cycles on and off, you’ll feel a warmth and tingling. Most patients find the warmth to be comfortable, and some even read during their treatments. Others simply use the time to relax.
Is There a Recovery Period?
After your treatment, you’ll be able to pick right back up with your schedule, whether that means heading to yoga class, chasing after your grandchildren, or returning to the office for a meeting. Many patients even schedule appointments during their lunch hour.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Each treatment takes about 25 minutes, and most patients require two or three sessions. After reviewing your health and your cosmetic goals, we can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will accomplish what you’re aiming for.
When Will I See My Results?
You’ll see results in as soon as six weeks, with optimal results visible at 12 weeks.
What Parts of the Body Can Be Treated?
This treatment can address belly fat, love handles, thighs, and the back. It can even be used on fat under the chin or on the neck.
Can Treatment Be Done Over a Tattoo?
This treatment can be performed over a tattoo and will not result in any changes to the image.
Is It Safe?
This treatment is safe. It was approved by the FDA in 2015.
What Is Body Contouring?
This laser-based heat treatment is part of a new group of fat-removal techniques known as body contouring or body sculpting. Body contouring treatments as a class are non-invasive and rely on different approaches to both rid the body of fatty patches and offer the patient a silhouette with more shape and definition. The non-surgical nature of body contouring means patients can achieve the results they want without the hassle or cost of a hospital stay. In fact, most body contouring treatments involve no downtime. The convenience of these treatments has helped them enjoy a surge in popularity in recent years.
How Will This Treatment Enhance My Figure?
This treatment is ideal for patients who are in fairly good shape but just need a little help getting certain problem areas under control. Once you’ve whipped that spot or two into shape with the help of this laser-based treatment, you’ll be amazed at how good your figure looks. You’ll appear trim, toned, and more youthful. You’ll also feel terrific. Having a body you can be proud of is a wonderful confidence booster, and you’ll be able to wear whatever you want, from bathing suits to blue jeans.
Will I Lose Weight?
There’s a difference between losing fat and losing weight. This treatment won’t help you shed pounds, but it will remove fat cells in the targeted area, giving you a smoother and more sculpted look and, in most cases, helping your clothes fit better. The number of fat cells in our body remains constant throughout adulthood. As we gain and lose weight, those fat cells grow and shrink in size. This fat-removal treatment actually reduces the number of fat cells in your body, which helps you get rid of those problem areas.
If your primary goal is to lose weight, you’re better off pursuing a more traditional diet and exercise plan. Bariatric surgery is also sometimes an option for those who want to lose a significant amount of weight. This fat-removal treatment is not the best option for patients who are obese.
Does This Treatment Help With Cellulite?
This treatment is designed primarily to remove fat from the body. It should not be viewed as a cellulite treatment.
Can It Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Depending on your cosmetic goals, this treatment can be combined with other services at our practice to give you the look you want. Patients often opt to combine this treatment with Botox, microneedling, or skin rejuvenation.
What Other Benefits Does This Treatment Offer?
In addition to tackling unwanted fat, this treatment also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which help keep your skin smooth and youthful in appearance.
Is the Fat Removal Permanent?
Yes, this treatment is considered to be a permanent means of removing fat. However, in order to maintain your results, you’ll need to commit to a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise. If you gain a notable amount of weight after your treatment, the fat cells that remain in your body will grow, which could begin to reverse your new look.
How Does This Compare to Other Treatments?
If you’re looking to rid your body of excess fat, you do have other options. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive way of getting rid of excess fat and contouring the body. Some patients also consider undergoing liposuction, which is a surgical alternative. And for some, another surgical procedure called a tummy tuck is an option.
CoolSculpting
Both SculpSure and CoolSculpting get rid of fat and resolve problem areas in much the same way. The primary difference is that while SculpSure breaks fat cells down by heating them, CoolSculpting kills them off by freezing them. Both treatments rely on the body’s lymphatic system to flush the dead fat cells out naturally over a period of weeks, and both methods require multiple non-invasive sessions. CoolSculpting sessions, however, tend to be longer in duration.
Liposuction
Some patients who are willing to undergo surgery may consider liposuction, a procedure that relies on a tube known as a cannula to suction fat out of the body. The cannula is inserted into layers of fat through a small incision. Liposuction is a more invasive procedure that involves anesthesia, bandages, and a recovery time of at least a week. Although liposuction offers results that are comparable, the surgical procedure carries greater risk.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, like SculpSure, can be used to give the patient a firm, smooth stomach. But the two treatments are usually used to address different types of cosmetic concerns. SculpSure is ideal for patients who are in good shape but who need a little help refining some spots. These patients usually don’t have a lot of fat to lose, but the fat they are struggling with is particularly stubborn. Tummy tucks, on the other hand, tend are geared toward helping patients lose a larger amount of fat while also tightening up sagging skin. A tummy tuck is also an invasive surgical procedure that may come with greater risk.
Who Is a Good Candidate for SculpSure?
This laser-based fat-removal treatment is a great option for both men and women of all skin tones and types. There are several indications that you may be an especially good candidate for this treatment:
Your Body Needs a Tuneup
The ideal candidate is only slightly over his or her goal weight, with a body mass index of under 30, and needs a little help tweaking stubborn fatty areas. These are the areas on the body that simply won’t budge no matter how much time you spend working out. This treatment won’t give your body a complete overhaul, but it’ll help you put your best self forward by allowing you to get those problem areas under control and achieve the silhouette you’ve been working towards.
You’re Reasonably Healthy
The best patients are in good overall health. Pregnant women can’t undergo this treatment. And if you have any health conditions, such as diabetes, you’ll want to share them with the physician so that he or she can determine if this is the best treatment for you.
You’ve Got a Busy Schedule
One of the big advantages of this treatment is its convenience. The appointments are short enough to fit into your hectic schedule, and because this is a non-invasive treatment with no need for recovery, you won’t have to take any time off of work. This treatment is ideal for patients who are ready to take their body to the next level but don’t want to deal with the time and hassles associated with a more involved surgical procedure.
What’s the First Step?
If you’re interested in pursuing this treatment, the first step is to schedule a consultation in our office. During this appointment, we’ll review your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. We’ll also talk with you about your cosmetic goals and the specific parts of your body that you’d like to focus on. We’ll work with you to determine whether or not this treatment is the best route for you to take. Your next step will be to schedule your first treatment. Sometimes, your first treatment can immediately follow your consultation.
Why Choose Our Practice
Melting your fat away might seem too good to be true. But thanks to SculpSure, that’s an approach to fat removal that we can offer our patients. Best of all, this non-invasive treatment involves no downtime. Call Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA and schedule a SculpSure consultation.