As a self-confessed queen of beauty treatment you can do at home, I’m simply not a fan of pricey treatments or plastic surgery procedures. But right before the summer, I tried a trendy new body contouring treatment called SculpSure – touted as a fast and easy way to melt away fat. Too good to be true? Here’s my verdict…
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What is it? SculpSure is a breakthrough in light-based body contouring designed (approved by the FDA) to reduce stubborn fat in problem areas such as the abdomen and love handles, helping you achieve a slimmer and natural looking appearance without surgery or downtime. Even with diet and exercise, most people have stubborn pockets of fat that seem impossible to lose.
Here’s how it’s advertised: SculpSure’s body contouring technology is able to target and destroy these fat cells in just 25 minutes without affecting the skin’s surface. Over time, these damaged fat cells are naturally absorbed and removed from the body, with results seen as quickly as six weeks, and optimal results (up to 24% reduction of stubborn fat) typically seen at 12 weeks. There is no recovery time following treatment, so you can resume your daily activities immediately.
Here’s the real truth: OMG, it really works! To try out this new procedure, I headed to Nassau Plastic Surgical Associates, P.C., to visit Dr. Peter R. Neumann. I know lots of offices now offer this treatment now and I can only speak for Dr. Neumann. If you live at all in driving distance (Roslyn, NY) seeing him is totally worth it. I have a very natural skepticism (and fear!) but right away, within ten minutes of chatting with him I felt immediately at ease. I found Dr. Neumann knowledgeable, like-able, and quite genuine…rare qualities in any profession and if there was anyone I was about to show my most embarrassing body trouble spots (my derriere!)… I’m glad it was him. So my problem is quite a common one: No matter how many squats I did, the fat in that one area there was just too stubborn. I was not even sure I was going to go through with it even as I walked in. It’s that moment in a doctor’s office your intuition kind of kicks in and I thought, hey, I really like Dr. Neumann, and although it sounds a bit too good to be true (no pain, 25 mins and pew, pew, a laser zaps your fat away), it’s totally worth a shot. Time to turn up the heat on those stubborn pockets of fat that won’t budge…
The Procedure: It’s surprisingly fast and simple. Almost too simple which make you wonder if it really does work. After discussing the area most troubling to me in the treatment room, Dr. Neumann determined the best placement to secure the applicators to really zero in and zap the area that troubles me most. It’s a lot more technical than I’m describing but all I do is just kind of look around nervously, the machine powers on and I feel waves of heat sensations and cool sensations. I’m advised it’s not supposed to be painful at all and to let them know if it is. A nurse is by my side the entire time with her eyes on the machine frequently checking to make sure I’m comfortable. Most patients feel a tingling sensation intermittently throughout the treatment which is generally well-tolerated. That was pretty much the case for me. You can definelty feel it –slight discomfort but totally tolerable and no pain involved. . There is no downtime with SculpSure, so you can have the treatment during your lunch hour and return to work or hit the gym immediately. I did neither of those two options: I went grocery shopping and didn’t feel any after effects at all. The 25 minutes flew by, I had a magazine with me to read but didn’t even get past the first few pages.
The Downside: Ah ha, there is a downside and if you’re like me and get impatient waiting for a one minute burrito to heat up in the microwave, chances are you’ll be a little miffed that you don’t walk out of the office a svelte goddess, or even notice a difference the day or even week after. Patience is indeed a virtue and if you’re looking for a quick fix, then Sculpsure is so not for you. But if you just go about your life… with no pain at all or physical proof that your fat cells are quietly (and brilliantly!) melting away as the time passes, then you will be very happy. I tried not to peek (Ok, I peeked every.single.morning!) for a few weeks but it seemed the area that always made me cringe not-so suddenly improved. A lot!
The Results: After week 4, I was convinced that spending those 25 minutes in Dr. Neuman’s office trying out this new light-based technology was one heck of a smart decision. By week 6, I hit the beach and for the first time in years and I did not immediately wrap a towel around my waist or scurry to find my cover-up and quickly slip into it like Superman in reverse. Nope, I walked to the cooler with the lazy swagger of a cowgirl wearing a bikini I haven’t worn in years. This, my friends is a miracle for me since I can’t remember the last time that happened. Maybe when I was like 23. It’s not like I suddenly had the bod of Gigi Hadid or such a drastic change, but for me, it was just enough of an improvement that my problem area was not so much a problem anymore. By week 8, I marveled at my results in the mirror. The fatty, rippled areas on my back of my upper thighs were totally smooth and even the sides of my thigh seemed slimmer. It’s not cheap (about $1,700 per area) but when you compare the cost (and downtime) to a surgical procedure, it’s rather reasonable.
Did it last? It’s about 5 months since my Sculpsure treatment and it still looks so much slimmer and trimmer. Not an ounce of fat came back and yeah, I am still patting myself on the back for this one and singing the praises of SculpSure. I was never expecting a dramatic transformation or hoping for perfection…all I wanted was to just not to feel so self-conscious and that’s exactly the results I got. I’m extremely happy with my results. Around 24% of fat reduction in the area that bothers me most? Yep, I’ll take it! Everyone’s body is different and your mileage may vary but is it something I would recommend to a friend or family member who has a trouble area they would like to improve? Absolutely yes. (But I say, go see Dr. Neumann!!)
Dr. Peter Neumann, F.A.C.S. is one of Long Island’s premier plastic surgeons and board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and completed his residencies in general surgery, oncology and plastic surgery. Dr. Neumann is devoted to his patients and provides exceptional cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery including face and neck lifts, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, breast implants, breast lift/reduction, tummy tuck, liposuction and non-surgical skin procedures including injectables, fillers, chemical peels, Juvederm and more. 1 EXPRESSWAY PLAZA, SUITE 201 ROSLYN HEIGHTS,NY 11577
