One of our Endermologie technicians, performing treatment.

Endermologie™ is the first effective solution to the dimpling we often see in our buttocks and thighs over time. Developed in France, Endermologie™ is a new technique which loosens fat that gets trapped under the skin's surface. These fibers pull on the surface of the skin, creating the "cottage cheese" effect of cellulite.

Treatment is very simple: the patient lies on a massage table clothed in a body stocking while the technician glides the Endermologie™ machine across the surface of the skin. Endermologie™ breaks down and frees the fat that contributes to cellulite. The process improves circulation and patients comment that it feels like deep massage. After several treatments, skin becomes taut and smooth again, and clothing begins to fit differently as your body contour improves.

Endermologie™ Touted "As A Sleek Way to Outsmart Cellulite"

Q. Are there other methods available to help smooth the cottage cheese dimples in my skin?

A. A new procedure using a high-power ultrasonic wave applied to the surface of your skin has shown promise. It is called External Ultrasound and is being used in virtually all parts of the body which show signs of skin laxity or dimpling. With External Ultrasonic Liposuction, a small amount of local anesthetic wetting solution is injected beneath the skin which "puffs it up", then the External Ultrasonic probe is passed gently over your skin surface for 5 to 10 minutes, creating a gentle, warming, massaging sensation. This procedure is repeated daily for 2 or 3 days and is usually combined with liposuction if you desire to have areas of excess fat removed as well. The results are encouraging and in the future we may combine External Ultrasound with Endermologie to optimize results.

Q. I had not heard of treating cellulite with Endermologie until I read about it in your column. I have now read about Endermologie in several magazine articles. One said that "it's a sleek way to outsmart cellulite." Is that true? Does it get rid of cellulite completely?

A. The quote you mention, "sleek way to outsmart cellulite" is from the May issue of Mademoiselle. I found Endermologie™ a manual massage treatment performed with a device using suction and rollers - benefits the skin and subcutaneous tissue by promoting microcirculation. I must caution you that it does not entirely get rid of cellulite, but rather it greatly reduces the appearance of cellulite. Another recent magazine article in Marie Claire describes it with language easily understood by patients: "the suction...improves circulation, so that the puckering (of cellulite) is eased."

Our practice has had enormous success with Endermologie™, to the extent that we now have three fully trained and certified Endermologie™ technicians who work extended hours. Within weeks of the first treatment, patients begin to notice improvement in skin tone and loose skin becomes more taut. About the fifth to seventh session the actual physical contour of the treated areas begins to look more taut. We have seen the greatest improvement with inner thighs and saddle areas. By the tenth to 14th session, dramatic improvements in the appearance of the cellulite can be seen.

Although this procedure is not a substitute for liposuction and is not a permanent alteration to the human body (a maintenance program is recommended), it is effective in the short term improvement of the appearance of cellulite, toning and shaping the skin on hips, thighs, waist, abdomen and other areas.





Liposuction: The Answer to Persistent “Saddle Bags” and Tummy “Pooch”

Over the last twenty-five years, liposuction has been improved and is now one of the most popular Plastic Surgery procedures in the U.S., second only to Nose Reshaping. In 2001 over 275,000 men and women in the U.S. had this procedure. Liposuction can remove fat in areas where diet and exercise are ineffective such as the chine, neck, hips, thighs, stomach, buttocks, legs and arms. Even ankles can be made more slender. Power-Assisted tumescent liposuction is a proven technique for sculpting and removing fat safely with minimal postoperative swelling and bruising. A narrow tube called a cannula is inserted through tiny incisions and the fat is contoured and removed. The advantages of external ultrasound combined with power assisted liposculpture are improved precision and accuracy, better silhouette and contour refinement, more rapid recovery with less bruising, swelling and inflammation. The proper choice for anesthesia in power assisted liposculpture is based upon discussion between the surgeon and the patient. For larger areas, we prefer general anesthesia combined with local anesthesia. Some patients may be treated appropriately with sedation and local anesthesia. It is common for patients to remark afterwards how their dress and pant size have decreased. Patients frequently ask about fat “coming back”. The results of liposuction are generally permanent and the fat cells that are removed are gone forever. However, recent research has shown the remaining fat cells can increase in size and actually multiply in number if caloric intake is excessive. Permanent results depend on you!