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WTNH News 8 VIDEO: Freezing Fat Cells in Problem Areas

Published : Tuesday, 09 Jul 2013, 6:06 PM EDT
by Jocelyn Maminta

GREENWICH, Conn. (WTNH) — A lot of us have something we don’t like about our bodies; for some, diet and exercise haven’t done much to get rid of trouble spots. Now there’s a new cool alternative to remove that excess flab.

Love handles and a muffin top bothered Chista Pooya. “I exercise, I watch what I eat, but sometimes it’s not enough so I needed a little help,” said Pooya.

So she got help at Greenwich Medical Spa. “This is for those stubborn fat areas,” said Dr. Mitchell Ross, Greenwich Medical Spa. It’s CoolSculpting: a non-invasive alternative to liposuction.

“It’s a permanent loss of fat cells,” said Dr. Ross. The technology, developed by Harvard doctors, decreases the thickness of fat by freezing fat cells. “We put this section on the person’s flanks or abdomen,” said Dr. Ross. “It uses a vacuum suction and extracts energy, in other words cools the area.” Dr. Ross is a board certified dermatologist.

“It cools to an exact temperature in an exact period of time so that only your fat cells are affected and those are the ones that are crystallized and frozen,” Dr. Ross said.

“It felt really cold when it went on, but then it was numb for about an hour,” said Pooya. “After the freezing, the fat cells undergo a natural cell death,” Dr. Ross said. “They get metabolized and cleared by your body. As a result your fat layers decrease anywhere from 22 to 50 percent after one treatment.”

“When they did my flanks, I did have a little bit of minor bruising for about a week to two weeks,” Pooya said. “When they did my belly, it was a little numb for the first two weeks or so.”

Two-and-a-half months later Pooya said, “I don’t have the muffin top anymore.”
She is considering fine sculpting another problem area.

Dr. Ross stresses that this is not a weight loss treatment. The cost starts at $600 and could take up to two hours for a session.

Male patient receiving an Emsculpt NEO treatment to the abdominal area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can EMSCULPT NEO do for me?

EMSCULPT NEO is an amazing noninvasive body sculpting treatment. It’s perfect for patients who are looking to get summer body ready! With this state-of-the-art, two-in-one technology, you build muscle and burn fat at the same time! This treatment provides a 30% reduction in subcutaneous fat and 25% growth in muscle on the treated area after a recommended number of treatments.

How does EMSCULPT NEO work?

While you lie down and relax, EMSCULPT NEO sends high-intensity energies deep below your skin, making your muscles contract in a big way that is like doing thousands of crunches or squats in a few minutes. While your muscles are contracting, the energy from the applicator simultaneously sends warmth to your fat cells, heating them up to the point of destruction. So you build real muscle from the contractions while destroying fat cells that are later naturally eliminated by your body.

How many EMCULPT NEO treatments will I need?

The recommended treatment plan is 4-6 treatments, one week apart. Depending on the patient, you may see improvement in your muscle tone, core strength and posture within a few weeks. And you’ll see fat reduction continue for about 12 weeks after your last treatment.

Are there any patients for whom you do not recommend EMSCULPT NEO?

EMSCULPT NEO is great because it has been shown to be safe and approved for all body and skin types. Contraindications include hernia, recent surgery, and pregnancy, so if a patient has any of these conditions, they should wait until they don’t to get EMSCULPT NEO.

What is the difference between CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT NEO?

CoolSculpting is a well-known treatment that is excellent for reducing unwanted fat in targeted areas. EMSCULPT NEO also reduces fat, but it has the benefit of building muscle, which is what its predecessor EMSCULPT was made to do.

Which treatment you choose depends on what your body needs and your personal goals. If you have great muscle tone and only need to get rid of some extra fat in a specific area like your abdomen or below your chin, CoolSculpting is an excellent option. But if you have loss of muscle tone and need more of a lift or tightening to a certain area like your abs or butt, EMSCULPT NEO is your two-in-one solution.

What is your favorite thing about EMSCULPT NEO?

Not only is this treatment super convenient with one treatment lasting only 30 minutes, but there is also no downtime! Patients can go about their day as they normally would immediately after their visit.

Greenwich Med Spa