This post was written in partnership with Dr. Kenneth Rothaus, M.D.
We all have that stubborn area (or areas) on our body that despite diet and exercise, we cannot seem to get results.
For me, that area is my c-section “pouch’ –
(Gah. I hate that word. I feel like a kangaroo– but it is what it is.)
Many C-section Moms are left with “loose skin”, but my pouch most definitely has fat.
Fat, that remains no matter how many classes at the gym, crunches, leg-lifts or Burpees I do.
(Ok, fine! I haven’t done a ton of burpees. They’re are on my short list of Oh hellllll No-exercises.)
Now that the baby shop is officially closed, I’ve been contemplating and researching options– including surgical procedures like Tummy Tucks and Lipo.
So when NY board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Rothaus approached me to try out a new, innovative and non-invasive way to sculpt and melt away stubborn fat areas… sans pain or down time, I was all in.
The procedure is called SculpSure.
SculpSure is a breakthrough in non-invasive body contouring that treats bothersome areas of fat, helping you achieve the shape you want. The 25 minute procedure uses light-based technology to permanently destroy up to 24%* of treated fat in problem areas such as the abdomen and love handles.
Yesterday was my big appointment. I was a mixed bag of nerves and excitement.
I had researched and researched and heard over and over how it was pain-free but I remained a teensy bit skeptical because… well… I’m not exactly known for my pain tolerance. The many Cool Sculpting horror stories I had read citing nerve pain and swelling haunted the back of my mind.
The good news is that when my husband and I sat down with Dr. Rothaus to discuss the procedure beforehand, he put me right at ease.
Owning the 3rd machine in New York, Dr. Rothaus has been an early adopter of this breakthrough treatment, was extremely knowledgeable and answered my every question.
He assured me that since SculpSure uses heat and a non-suction applicator without clamps, the applicators are able to evenly treat the area and there would be no “stick of butter“ (aka frozen fat) to be massaged out– there would be no swelling, no nerve pain during or after– AND perhaps best of all, no down time! I could literally exercise and go back to regular activities that same day.
With SculpSure you can customize the 4 flat frames used to treat a variety of trouble areas, from your back to your muffin-top… or in my case… the pouch.
(see the quick video below)
Dr. Rothaus began by examining and measuring the area. Once determined the area was treatable, we took some before photos and headed into the SculpSure room where he set up the frames & hooked me up.
Dr. Rothaus worked at achieving the perfect temperature. When it got too warm he lowered it to comfortable temperature.
Once the temperature was just right, the machine alternated for 25 minutes between periods of heat and short periods of cooling. Slight tingling- but never any pain.
I was chatting with my husband, checking out the photos he took and asking Dr. Rothaus my every nip/tuck/fill question– which he very graciously answered – every. single. one (more on that in another post).
When the 25 minutes was up, he disconnected the machine and there was just a little redness in the treated area.
Literally, that was it.
I got up, got dressed and went on with my day. Crazy– right?
The area was a little tender to touch for the next 2 days– but barely. To be honest, I kind of forgot I had the Sculpsure done.
For best results, 3 treatments are recommended.
Results typically show 6-12 weeks.
Cost is $375 per frame. 4 frames treat an entire average abdomen (which is a fraction of the cost and time to treat an entire abdomen using other methods).
UPDATED 2018: A few of you have asked about my final results with this CoolSculpting Alternative procedure. Unfortunately, I with the one treatment I did not see a difference, however I also did not go back for the additional recommended treatments– for no reason except, time. So I cannot truly speak to the results when you do all 3 treatments.
That being said, I can tell you that while I was getting the procedure done, there was a woman leaving the office who had come in from out of town specifically to get Sculpsure on another area, after loving her results the first time.
I wouldn’t recommend this as an alternative to Liposuction, but rather a procedure for areas you need a little tightening, contouring and not a drastic change.
RealSelf has a lot of reviews with before and after results of people who went through multiple treatments.
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