CoolSculpting™  by ZELTIQ™ is a new, non-invasive way reduce fat in targeted areas of the body. The Zeltiq® Coolsculpting procedure differs from traditional liposuction, SmartLipo in that it is non-invasive (no needles, surgical incisions, anesthesia or recovery time) and unlike Zerona, it uses "advanced cooling technology" instead of a laser to selectively target and reduce unwanted abdominal fat, love handles (flanks), and back fat.

Non-Invasive ‘Cold’ Technology

The Coolsculpting procedure works using a precisely controlled cooling method called Cryolipolysis™ to target, cool, and eliminate fat cells without damage to other tissue. During the one to three hour procedure, a non-invasive applicator is applied to the skin surface where it gently draws the fat bulge up between two cooling panels. As treatment begins, the patient feels a sensation of intense cold which reportedly dissipates after a short time. The CoolSculpting procedure is also comfortable for most patients, who read, listen to music, use a laptop or simply relax during treatment. Without a recovery time, patients can typically resume their routine activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens on the same day as the procedure.

Fat cells that are targeted by the intense cooling begin a process called “apoptosis” where the fat cells shrink. This damages the fat cells without harming the surrounding tissues. The crystallized fat cells are then naturally removed by the body's normal processes over the course of roughly two to four months.

The Cool Way to Reduce Fat™

The CoolSculpting™ procedure* is performed in a doctor’s office, typically under the supervision of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon and is reported to be effective for gently and effectively treating localized areas of fat. The Coolsculpting procedure cannot remove large amounts of fat and patience is required, as it does take time to see noticeable, natural-looking fat reduction results. The number of Zeltiq® Coolsculpting treatments needed varies from aptient to patient, and prices vary by region. On average, patients can expect to pay between $500 - $700 per treatment

A "tummy tuck", has the ability to improve the appearance of your abdominal region. A "tummy tuck" removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while at the same time tightening the underlying muscles.

If you're unhappy with excess skin and fat in the abdominal area and are interested in tightening and flattening your abdomen, you can start by locating a plastic surgeon "in my area" using our provider directory and you can Request a Consultation with one or more plastic surgeons right here from our site.

Actual Procedure Name: Abdominoplasty

Average Length of Procedure: 1.5 - 5 hours
Anesthesia Type: General Anesthesia
Surgery Location: Certified Outpatient Plastic Surgery Center or Hospital 

Most Commonly Combined with: Liposuction

Tummy Tuck Recovery:

• Return to work: Usually 1 to 2 weeks
• Full Exercise: At least 6 to 8 weeks

• Healthy, Non smoker with no medical conditions that can affect wound healing
• In relatively good physical shape with the ability to maintain a stable weight
• Done having children or no longer considering becoming pregnant
• Possessing realistic goals and expectations

• Unhappy with excess skin or fat in the abdominal area that is resistant to exercise
• Excess skin in the abdominal area due to bariatric surgery or extreme weight loss
• Unhappy with Sagging or lax abdominal skin due to aging

Average cost for a Tummy Tuck: $5200

The Mommy Makeover is a combination plastic surgery procedure that addresses the needs of women who have been through pregnancy and are not happy with the effects of pregnancy on their body. You may be thinking about a Mommy Makeover for yourself, and one of the questions you probably have is: How do you explain a Mommy Makeover to your children?

A Mommy Makeover is called a combination procedure because it combines multiple procedures into one surgery to treat the areas affected most by pregnancy such as the breasts, abdomen, hips, thigh and buttocks. The goal of a Mommy Makeover is to restore and/or improve upon a woman's pre-childbirth figure. Post-childbirth plastic surgery is not exactly something a young child might understand when they see Mommy come home with the bruising, swelling and other side-effects of the procedures she's had. Likewise, steps in the recovery process could raise questions or arouse curiosity.

Dr. Michael Salzhauer of Bal Harbour, Florida came up up with a solution. He wrote a book called My Beautiful Mommy, which helps calm a child's fears, adress their questions and explain the experience of a Mommy Makeover to children using honest, age-appropriate language and rich, colorful illustrations.

If you're planning or have already planned your Mommy Makeover, or if you know someone who is, you may want to check out My Beautiful Mommy.

One of the most commonly asked questions a patient will ask about Liposuction is usually; will the fat return after Liposuction? That question is typically followed by another question about fat redistributing around the body after the Liposuction procedure. Fat Redistribution or the idea that the fat is simply redistributed to another area of the body is one of the most common misconceptions about Liposuction.

The misconception stems from the fact that Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from a treated area of the body. Areas that are not treated by Liposuction have the potential to store more fat than the treated area because all of the fat cells that were present before the procedure are still there. Because of this, areas that are not treated by Liposuction can sometimes gain weight disproportionately to the treated area. This creates the impression that the fat treated by Liposuction is coming back in other areas when in fact, the patient is gaining weight. That disproportionate gain is what is commonly called Fat Redistribution.

A small amount of weight gain typically produces a more even distribution of fat because the problematic area that gained weight more easily has been treated. With a significant enough weight gain, there is a higher the chance of Fat Redistribution.

Of course, fat can return to an area of the body treated by Liposuction. Starting a healthy diet and more active lifestyle and, maintaining a stable weight following Liposuction will help improve and maintain the new shape of your body.

If you're interested in Liposuction or if you have questions about Fat Redistribution following Liposuction, you can start by locating a plastic surgeon "in my area" using our provider directory. You canalso  Request a Consultation with one or more plastic surgeons.

Dr. Frank Ryan (May 21, 1960- August 16, 2010), has died following a car crash near Malibu, California. According to the California Highway Patrol, Dr. Ryan's Jeep Wrangler went over the side of Pacific Coast Highway on August 16th, 2010 at around 4:30 p.m. PST. Reports indicate the vehicle landed on the rocks and Dr. Ryan, who was trapped in the vehicle, sustained major head injuries. Despite best efforts by California lifeguards and a Ventura County Fire Department helicopter rescue unit, Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene at the age of 50.

Dr. Ryan was a Beverly Hills, California Plastic Surgeon with a long list celebrity clients and media appearances. Dr. Ryan, is known for performing one of the first plastic surgery “makeovers” on television, promoting the Zerona - laser fat removal system, is more recently famous for being Heidi Montag's plastic surgeon. Dr. Ryan is also the founder of the Dr. Frank Ryan Foundation, a non-profit organization to help underprivileged and underserved children and teens excel beyond their current situations and maximize their potential in life.

The thoughts and prayers of the MyCosmeticProcedures.com team go out to Dr. Ryan's family and friends.

Buttock Augmentation and Butt Lifts are body contouring procedures that are rising in popularity. Breast Augmentation using implants is the procedure women opt for when they want to change or enhance the size and shape of their breasts. Some women however want to emphasize or improve the bottom rather than top. To contour or improve their derriere, or to achieve a more curvaceous, rounded bottom women look towards full buttock plastic surgery such as Buttock Augmentation using Butt Implants (Gluteal Implants), the Brazilian Butt Lift, or Buttock Lift surgery (Butt Lifts) to lift a sagging buttocks and re-contour the hips, waist and upper thighs. Here's a quick summary of the most common Butt Enhancement procedures.

The ever popular Brazilian Butt Lift uses fat injections or fat transfer to re-shape the butt. A Plastic Surgeon liposuctions the hips, thighs, lower back or abdomen to gather and remove excess fat which is then purified and injected into the buttocks. Buttock plastic surgery using fat transfer or fat grafts such as the Brazilian Butt Lift can shape and contour the lower part of the buttocks.

Butt Implants or Gluteal Implants as they are called, are used in Butt Implant Surgery. Buttock Augmentation using butt implants is performed in a manner similar to a Breast Augmentation; a plastic surgeon makes an incision between the midline of the buttocks, creates a pocket between the gluteus muscles and fat and inserts the implant. The use of Buttock implants can offer a more permanent, symmetrical, yet natural look. The solid silicone implants used in a Buttock Augmentation can round out the upper and outer parts of the buttocks. Buttock Implant surgery is an outpatient procedure takes between two to three hours to perform.

And finally we have the Butt Lift. Not to be confused with the Brazilian Butt Lift, which is a fat graft or fat transfer procedure, Butt Lift surgery is a true plastic surgery lift procedure. Butt lifts are used to remedy sagging buttocks with excess skin and fat deposits and is often a part of a total body lift, lower body lift or post-bariatric plastic surgery following a major weight loss. In a manner similar to a Tummy Tuck, an incision is made across the lower back from hip to hip. The Plastic Surgeon then pulls the excess skin and tissue up over the incision to lift the buttocks and upper thighs. The excess skin is then removed and the incision closed. A Buttock Lift is a major procedure that takes two to three hours to perform. In addition to its brief hospital stay, longer recovery time and postoperative pain, a Butt Lift carries many of the common side effects and risks associated with any surgical procedure. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks of Buttocks lift surgery with your Plastic Surgeon.

If you're interested in boosting your bottom, you can start by locating a plastic surgeon "in my area" using our provider directory and you can Request a Consultation with one or more plastic surgeons right here from our site.