Freeze Off Your Fat

People who are struggling with the battle of the bulge may have a new tool that will help them take off those last few pounds. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just approved two fast-blasting methods.

Zeltiq, which has been on the market for about a year and is used by both dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, freezes the patient's fat. The fat cells then self-destruct over several months, and as they are destroyed, the patient will notice a difference in his appearance.

Each Zeltiq treatment costs between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on where you reside and the doctor you see. You'll reportedly need one 2-hour treatment for each love handle. Stomach bulges can require two treatments.

Zerona, a low-level laser that rotates around problem areas like the stomach, thighs and butt, forces fat cells to empty in weeks. In both cases, the broken-down fat is reabsorbed by the body. The procedure takes about 40 minutes and most patients require six treatments over two weeks. Although there's no pain or skin irritation and results show up in about two weeks, the treatment costs between $1,800 to $3,000.

However, unlike liposuction, an invasive weight loss surgery that 200,000 Americans had last year, these procedures do not require anesthesia, incisions or post-procedure rest. Instead, the patient will notice bruising that will subside shortly after the procedure.

Originally, Zeltiq was approved to anesthetize patients before treatments. It is only now being approved for body contouring, which may make it more prevalent in doctors' offices across the country.

"This is a big deal -- it's the first time that the FDA has cleared a noninvasive, fat-reduction technology," plastic surgeon Lawrence Bass told "Good Morning America" this morning. "They [the technologies] certainly don't replace diet and exercise, but they're another option for a subset of patients who just want to take a little bit off."

Both doctors and the manufacturers caution that these devices are only meant for those who are in moderately good shape and would like to spot-treat a problem area. They are not for those who are overweight or obese.

Those who make lifestyle changes, like working out regularly, and eat healthier foods will see the most benefit because although the procedures blast fat in a specific area, fat cells will reappear in other areas when patients put on weight in the future.

According to the Wall Street Journal, obesity experts are wary of the new treatments because they target only layers of fat just under the skin. This fat, though unsightly, is rather harmless.

Visceral fat, the more dangerous fat that lines your organs and is linked to heart disease as well as other health issues, is ignored during the treatment. Some caution that once the less dangerous fat is broken up, fat cells might turn into visceral fat more quickly.

At That's Fit, we encourage you to incorporate exercise and a healthy diet into your lives to improve your overall wellness. Check out our great diet reviews or workouts to improve your health and sculpt your body.