Q: I have fat bulges on my tummy, sides of my waist, inner thighs, and back that will not go away with diet and exercise. What are my options for removing the fat bulges?

A: Up until recently, the only available options for reducing body fat to improve the contour and shape of the body were liposuction and other invasive and aggressive surgical techniques. For those individuals willing to undergo an invasive procedure, liposuction remains a good option to remove fat bulges. However, medical science has now developed techniques to reduce fat and improve the contour and shape of the body using non-invasive non-surgical methods. These techniques have the advantages of being extremely safe and having no recovery downtime.

The Zeltiq Procedure is a new non-surgical method of reducing fat to improve body contour and shape. The Zeltiq Procedure reduces fat by cooling it. Ideal candidates for the procedure have discrete and localized fat bulges on the abdomen, love handles, inner thighs, and back. Zeltiq is especially helpful when the fat bulge cannot be reduced by diet and exercise. Zeltiq treatments result in noticeable and natural looking fat reduction in the treated areas. There is absolutely no down time after the procedure, and most patients resume all of their normal activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens, on the same day as the procedure.

The procedure is done by applying the Zeltiq applicator to the fat bulge for one hour. During this time, the applicator chills the fat. The exposure of fat cells to cooling begins a process of natural fat cell removal. Patients remain very comfortable during the time the applicator is on the skin and may do whatever they wish during this period, including reading, working with their electronic devices, or listening to music. The visible reduction in fat will appear gradually over the next two to three months following the procedure.

The Zeltiq Procedure represents a new and very exciting way of accomplishing fat reduction in a completely non-invasive manner! Because of its safety, consistent results, and easy recovery, we expect Zeltiq to become a very popular method of reducing fat. Anyone desiring removal of fat bulges to improve the contour and shape of their body should give consideration to this new method of non-surgical fat removal.