Ultrashape - Surgery-Free Fat Control?

Tired of that saggy belly? Want to get rid of that wobble in your thighs? The answer (well, the answer that doesn't involve diet or exercise, anyway) may be coming to the U.S.

The Utlrashape is an ultrasound device whose makers claim it can destroy fat cells, leaving surrounding tissue intact. One Montreal plastic surgeon, Dr. Arie Benchetrit, says that the Ultrashape isn't just another hyped-up fad. He's been using it since 2007 and calls it the "the first real device" to eliminate pockets of fat.

Don't pull out your passport for that trip to Canada just yet. Other doctors have reservations. "Is this a good procedure?" asks Michael McGuire, head of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "I would say the main risk to this procedure is disappointment and spending a lot of money for very little gain."

Whether the Ultrashape works or not, it's not for significant weight loss. Patients need to have a normal or overweight BMI. It's also not a replacement for liposuction; instead, it's for contouring parts of the body affect by small pockets of fat.