Tried and Tested: LipoSonix

By: Amy Lindsay
Created on 12th February 2012

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In this issue, Amy Lindsay puts the revolutionary new non-invasive lipo alternative through its paces...

What is it?
The new non-surgical LipoSonix system is designed to shift small localised areas of fat on the abdomen or saddlebags without scalpels or surgery. The treatment uses a medical ultrasound machine that delivers high doses of ultrasound 1-2cm into the fatty layer to ‘melt' fat cells without piercing the skin.

I went to see cosmetic plastic surgeon Angelica Kavouni for a dose to zap stubborn fat cells around my stomach.

What really happens?
After having my tummy measurements taken to ascertain the depth of the fat and size of the treatment area, I lay down on the treatment couch. Angelica uses a special grid to mark out the areas on my pot belly that require treatment.

After a soothing painkiller to ease any discomfort, the device is primed to target the specific treatment area, with each 3cm by 3cm treatment area requiring two to three ‘shots' of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, which take 27 seconds each. As my fat is very localised, Angelica identifies 14 squares where I require treatment, with two shots in each and three in the four most stubborn fatty areas around my belt line.

The device is placed onto the skin and emits high doses of ultrasound which pass through the skin and superficial tissues to target the fatty layer, so the pulses have to be pretty forceful to be effective. The feeling is like pinpricks, with the sensation stinging quite a bit, especially on areas close to the bone.

Fortunately, each one lasts just 27 seconds, so some deep breaths and it's all over!

To calm my skin, Angelica also pours cold water over the treatment area after each shot to cool and soothe my skin. Less than an hour later, it's all over and I'm fit to hop on the bus home.

Angelica advises me to drink plenty of water to flush out the released fat, plus follow a healthy diet and do some moderate exercise to boost the results. As the body naturally flushes out the released fat, the final results can take up to three months to show fully.

Worst bit
There was some minor discomfort while the ultrasound shots were being delivered but the pain is very short-lived! I felt like I'd done about 1,000 sit-ups the next day, with my stomach looking a little bruised and swollen for a couple of days post-treatment. However, the side effects disappeared pretty quickly and didn't interfere with my daily routine.

Best bit
Great for muffin tops and small pot bellies, this high intensity ultrasound device is a great no-knife fat fixer. I was in and out of the clinic within an hour and able to immediately resume normal activities.

While you can have the treatment in your lunch hour, it does take around three months to see the full results so best to start early if you're keen to get your body bikini-ready for summer!

Did it work?
LipoSonix is a great way to target stubborn pockets of fat. Within a week my jeans felt much looser and there was noticeably less fat on my stomach. I experienced a 3cm reduction in circumference around my abdomen after one treatment, and with a concerted effort at avoiding the biscuit tin and venturing to the gym, I can apparently expect to see even better results over the next two to three months.

Cost?
The cost is charged by the ‘shot', hence the bigger the treatment area, the more expensive. Average costs for a stomach treatment range from £1800 to £4000.