New Study Confirms VASER Lipo Results Are Superior to Standard Liposuction

Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:31 PM

At the 78th Annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual (ASPS) Meeting, Dr. Paul Vanek presented a study that confirms that VASER-Assisted Lipoplasty (VAL) delivers superior results over traditional Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty (SAL) in skin retraction and blood loss.

SEATTLE, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 78th Annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual (ASPS) Meeting, Dr. Paul Vanek presented a study that confirms that VASER-Assisted Lipoplasty (VAL) delivers superior results over traditional Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty (SAL) in skin retraction and blood loss.

In a study called "A Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing VASER-Assisted Lipoplasty and Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty" results showed that the VASER Lipo treatment demonstrated 53% improvement in skin retraction per mL of aspirate removed relative to the standard SAL method, and a 26% reduction in blood loss. This is the first study to demonstrate statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in a new lipoplasty technology relative to SAL. This prospective study used a contra-lateral (side-by-side) study design to evaluate post-operative differences between the two techniques over a six-month time period.

"Physicians have been reporting skin tightening benefits and reduced blood loss with the VASER Lipo System since the technology was released in 2002," said Dan Goldberger, CEO of Sound Surgical Technologies LLC. "This study now provides empirical evidence of yet another advantage of using VASER ultrasonic energy in all body contouring procedures."

The study involved twenty female patients between the ages of 20 and 48 who received contra-lateral treatment with traditional liposuction and VASER Lipo in one or more anatomical regions that included the upper arms, upper back, flanks, outer thighs, and inner thighs for a total of 33 regions. Patients were blinded to the technology that was used on them and aspirate was kept separate and analyzed for blood content. Skin retraction was measured using changes in UV tattoos placed prior to surgery.

The study was funded by Sound Surgical Technologies LLC, and the authors received no stipends to participate in the clinical trial. Neither author has a financial interest in any of the products or devices used in the study.

About VASER Lipo - The VASER Lipo System was designed to provide physicians with a versatile tool to treat all areas of the body, from small procedures in the face and neck, to large volume treatments in the abdomen and back. VASER ultrasonic energy is able to selectively liquefy fat while preserving important tissue structures vital to natural skin tightening. By preserving nerves, blood vessels and collagen, physicians report also experience minimal to no pain and bruising postoperatively allowing for a fast return to normal activities.

About Sound Surgical - Founded in 1998, Sound Surgical Technologies placed its first VASER Lipo System on the market in March 2001. More than 100,000 procedures have been performed worldwide using the VASER System. An alternative to traditional tumescent liposuction, the VASER - Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance - Lipo System uses an advanced ultrasonic fat removal technology that has become a trusted method in a society saturated with fad procedures. Demanded by physicians and patients alike, the results are smooth and consistent with fast patient recovery. The VASER Lipo System is FDA cleared for body contouring.

Readers interested in learning more about VASER Lipo should visit www.VASER.com.

SOURCE Sound Surgical Technologies

Fat Transfer of mid face and hands

What is fractional C02 or “DOT C02”?

Laser skin care procedures often use the ability of the skin to heal itself in ways that restore a more youthful APPEARANCE TO THE SKIN. One example is the new SmartXide DOT Therapy using fractional C02 laser technology. Traditional C02 lasers work by burning off the complete superficial layer of the skin. While effective, this aggressive treatment can be very painful and require several weeks to months of downtime. SmartXide DOT Therapy can be relatively pain free when numbing cream is applied before treatment. SmartXide DOT is able to achieve a wide zone of thermal damage without removing the entire skin surface. Skin tightening and skin thickening occur following SmartXide DOT with improvement seen up to a year after the treatment.
Effectiveness is approximately 80% when compared to fully ablative CO2 and may require a second or third treatment, but the downtime is 3-5 days instead of several weeks to months

Dysport...the new Botox? Is it safe?

A lot of my clients have asked me about the new product Dysport. Like Botox, it is a form of botulinum, which is a neurotoxin that relaxes muscle movement. Botox is a known drug with a long safety record and Dysport is the new guy on the block that has his own reputation to make. Data has shown that the two have comparable efficacy, but Dysport can migrate to a larger area. The good...you can cover larger areas with one injection...the bad...it may be that you have a greater risk of getting the toxin where you don't want it (ie. a droopy eyelid. It also requires more units of Dysport to get the same effect as Botox. There have been reports that it works faster and lasts longer...but there is no hard data on that. Dysport is FDA approved, but it may not be quite as safe as Botox because injector's do not have as much experience with the new drug. Doctors have been using Botox for 20 years or more and when you look to the guy in the neighborhood whose got your back....you want the guy that's been around the block a time or two.
Hopefully a little healthy competition among manufacturers will help bring the price down as the makers of Botox have had a virtual monopoly for years. However, at this point I trust botox and I am going to take a wait and see attitude toward Dysport. You know the saying..."If it ain't broke don't fix it".

Juvederm lips = subtle changes by Dr. Brian Kerr

This is a great example of how just a little extra plumpness can make the lips look more full and youthful. Juvederm is a great filler for the lips and is one that I prefer because it lasts generally from 6 to 9 months or more in the lips. The women I meet with don't want anyone to be able to tell that they've had anything done. My clients love it when their friends comment on how great they look but aren't quite sure what they've done. Our goal at Silk Touch Medspa & Laser Center is to help all our clients love the skin they're in.

Before and after photos of Smartlipo/Vaser on Woman's full waist

Here is another picture of a woman who has had her full waist sculpted by Dr. Brian Kerr at Silk Touch Medspa and Laser Center. He used a Smartlipo/Vaser combination.

Smartlipo scar revision

This photo is a close up of the scar revision by Dr. Kerr. He used a combination of Smartlipo and Vaser assisted liposuction to help contour the body and improve the appearance of her scar.

Scar Revision with Smartlipo and Vaser by Dr. Brian Kerr

Here is an example of a scar revision using Smartlipo and Vaser liposuction

Smartlipo/Vaser before and after photos by Dr. Brian Kerr of Silk Touch Medspa in Boise

Dr. Brian Kerr used a combination of Smartlipo and Vaser assisted liposuction to sculpt away excess fat.

Juvederm lip filler by Dr. Brian Kerr at Silk Touch Medspa

Before and After photos by Dr. Brian Kerr using Juvederm by Allergan.











Juvederm is a great medium for filling lips and wrinkles in the face.

Latisse! by Allergan. Long, dark, thick lashes! FDA approved!

Allergan's new prescription lash growth product received FDA approval at the beginning of 2009. Latisse contains the prostaglandin which was originally used as a glaucoma drug. Studies have shown significant lash growth within 16 weeks when the product is applied along the lash line. Sterile, disposable applicators are included.

On a personal note, all of our staff has been using the product for several months and have seen amazing results.

My wife Susie has also been applying the prescription to her eyebrows and has seen new growth. Her lashes are so long they touch her sunglasses.

I am considering experimenting myself to make my blonde lashes darker and longer.

Smarlipo before and after photos for arms

More Smartlipo Before and After Photos by Dr. Kerr.

Silk Touch Medspa & Laser Center in Boise/Eagle, Idaho introduces the new Zerona Body Slimming laser

It's our 10th Anniversary! Silk Touch Medspa & Laser Center is proud to introduce the New! Zerona body-slimming laser! What a way to celebrate! Courtesy of juvanew medspa,TX What if you could get rid of fat without diet, exercise or surgery? Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Susie Kerr, Managing Partner of Silk Touch Medspa and wife of Dr. Brian Kerr first saw the Zerona on the popular TV show The Doctors in April 2009. Susie was held captive, "The laser looked like something from Star Trek, a big octopus looking thing, beaming light down on the belly of a woman who was struggling with 40 lbs. of weight gain. Beam me up Scotty!" Susie thought. "This thing just looked too good to be true." Susie was skeptical but a little excited...a bit like she felt when she first learned about laser-assisted liposuction or Smartlipo. She couldn't contain her excitement as she approached Dr. Kerr, "If this thing really works, it could really revolutionize fat removal." It turned out that Dr. Ordon of The Doctors TV Show had the same sort of feelings when he was first introduced to the Zerona. "When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But you cannot argue with results. Inches are inches, and the Zerona removes inches, more than four inches on the "test" case we did for The Doctors. I have to say, I didn't believe it at first either." --Dr.Ordon. Click here to watch a uTube video of The Doctors on Zerona Here we are a couple of months later...and we are proud to be the first to introduce The Zerona to Idaho. Our Silk Touch clients will be the first to use this amazing technology. We owe a big thanks to Dr. Thom Barnes from Newport Beach in mentoring us in this latest technology. Dr. Barnes has been using the Zerona for over a year with tremendous results and patient satisfaction. So here are some FAQ's on the Zerona What is Zerona? It's a non-surgical, non-invasive way to slim the body. There's no pain and no downtime with the treatment. How does it Work? The Zerona laser is a cold laser that helps the body rid itself of excess fat using the body's normal processes. The laser focuses cool light on areas of the body where fat has accumulated without any discomfort to the patient. The laser creates a tiny hole in the fat cell wall allowing the contents to spill out into the lymp where they are absorbed and the waste is excreted from the body naturally. How much can you lose? In double-blind, randomized, multi-site, placebo controlled clinical trials that tracked the circumferences of patient's waist, hips, and thighs, the average total loss was 3.64 inches up to a maximum of 9.5 inches, compared to a placebo group that lost only a half an inch. Who is a good candidate? A good candidate is one who has a BMI of 30 or below, similar to Smartlipo laser-assisted liposuction. If you have a BMI above 30 then you may be prescribed a program to help you achieve healthy weight goals before the procedure. Candidates must be motivated to maintain their result. The Zerona may be great at shrinking fat cells and helping the body eliminate fat, but long term success is determined by patient conformity to good habits of health. We design our programs to assist you in healthy living before, during and after treatment. Are there any risks? There are no known risks associated with this tratment and the treatments are painless. Any other changes in the body? The liver is one of the body's major detoxification pathways. A large study was conducted and no increase in toxin levels were found. Triglyceride levels and cholestorol levels were found to normalize (meaning improvement was made). Skin improvements were also noted. This laser has been FDA approved for wound healing. How many treatments are needed? Typically you will receive six 40-minute laser treatment over a period of two weeks. Mon-Wed-Fr or Tues-Thurs-Sat. Additionally, you will receive nutritional coaching and other take home instructions to reach optimal results. Programs vary depending on the patient's needs and goals. Many patients are so happy with their results they request additional sessions. Does Zerona get rid of cellulite? It reduces fat, but not cellulite. Cellulite may improve with deep tissue massage to break down fibrous tissue. We have seen the best results when treating areas with cellulite when using laser-assisted liposuction or Smartlipo. Will the fat go somewhere else? Fat that his removed by the laser is metabolized and removed by the body. There isn't any evidence that the fat is deposited elsewhere in the body. Can the fat return? Yes, sadly it can. Sorry...we all wish the answer was no. The Zerona laser doesn't remove fat cells from the body. When the fat leaves the cells, the cells remain intact but the cell collapses like a grape that has been squeezed. The same thing happens when you diet (controlling the calories you eat) or exercising (burning calories). If greater calories are consumed than are expended from either diet or exercise, the body will store the extra calories and the fat cells get plump again. Picture the nice fat juicy grape. Dr. Kerr's program is designed to help you maximize the effectiveness of your treatment by addressing your whole lifestyle and dietary and exercise choices. Can I do more than one treatment? This can be discussed with Dr. Kerr. Patients may return for more treatments, particularly if they want to focus on different areas or lose additional inches in areas already treated. There have been no associated risks or complications associated with multiple treatments. How much does it cost? At Silk Touch we offer a number of programs. The exact amount depends on the procedure being done, the desired goal, and the level of support that is required. $2500 - $3000 for six 40-minute sessions. Additional treatments may be added depending on client needs and desired outcome. ie. lymphatic massage, deep tissue massage and meal replacement programs. Why do some people lose more inches than others? There are variations from person to person. Factors determining inches lost are: function of the lymph and digestive system as well as possible metabolic abnormalities. Your doctor will work with your individual case to help achieve optimum performance within the parameters of our given physiological makeup. You will fill out a medical history and have a consultation before treatment. Is this treatment covered by Insurance? This procedure is cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance. Financing is available. Visit CareCredit.com How soon will I see results? Usually results can be seen as early as one week after the completion of your treatment. Some individuals do see results almost immediately and some individuals may ot experience decrease of body circumference or weight loss at all. Can I get better results if I diet and/or exercise? Yes you can. Though in the randomized clinical trials, patients lost inches without increasing diet and exercise, we want to help you get the biggest bang for your buck. Reducing calorie intake forces the body to reduce fat cell size (remember the grape). Exercising forces the body to reduce fat cell size. We design a program that will optimize your ability to eliminate the fat from your body without going hungry or having to sign up for boot camp. Of course you don't have to exercise or eat right, but then your grape will remain plump. We will work with you to create a program that is just right for you. How do I know I've lost inches? We will take your measurements before treatment. It is important to have accurate measurements. These are taken at specific anatomical sites before the first treatment, after the final treatment and one week after the final treatment is completed. Before and After pictures will be taken for accurate pre and post data. How do I schedule a consultation? Give us a call to set up a consult. You will receive a pre-screening by a staff member and then have a short consultation with Dr. Kerr prior to treatment. 208 939-3110

Study finds DOT CO2 Laser Optimum for Skin Rejuvenation!

New Study Published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology Finds DOT Microablative CO2 Laser Optimum for Skin Rejuvenation

Click here to watch a Video on the DOT C02

DALLAS, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- A study published by Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D. et al in the February issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology explores the new generation of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser skin resurfacing technologies, specifically, the SmartXide DOT(TM) laser. DOT utilizes a fractional or microablative approach to treating the skin allowing for rapid healing, less downtime and profound results. Dr. Sarnoff is a board certified dermatologist and clinical professor of Dermatology at NYU Medical Center.

As consumers have become savvier to skin care and laser options, the pendulum is swinging back to more result-oriented treatments. With the saturation of non-ablative lasers, skin tightening devices and chemical peels, patients are looking for an alternative treatment that offers exceptional results with fewer treatments and less time in the doctor's office. What these procedures can do in 4-5 treatments, the DOT technology can do in a single treatment and results have been far superior to anything on the market today.

By combining the CO2 laser with a fractionated technique, the latest innovation in skin rejuvenation, DOT (Dermal Optical Thermolysis), has become the optimal choice for active patients desiring significant effects from a single treatment with minimal downtime. Additionally, DOT Therapy is ideal in causing immediate contraction of wrinkles and loose skin, results that non-ablative lasers produce in a time span of about six months.

Dr. Sarnoff's study examined 32 patients ages 33-76 over a six-month period who underwent a single laser resurfacing procedure with the DOT technology. Areas treated included the face, neck, trunk and hands. Results demonstrated over 50% improvement in almost all of the patients. Those treated for wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and sun damage showed over 75% improvement.

Why It Works

The DOT procedure (www.dottherapy.com) precisely delivers CO2 laser energy to targeted areas on the face or non-facial areas like the neck and decolletage, and effectively treats sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scarring. Unlike any other skin resurfacing CO2 laser, the DOT system is unique because it ablates a customized pattern of tiny, micro-sized dots, rather than the entire skin surface. This results in the creation of very tiny columns of thermal damage that penetrate deep into the dermis and stimulate the growth of new collagen. The energy is applied in a "fractional" way in which tiny columns of thermal damage are spaced so that tissue between each is spared, which in turn leads to a faster healing process.

The technological advancements in the delivery system of DOT technology allow us to offer patients custom designed treatments tailored to their specific needs and downtime tolerance. "We have found DOT to have a high safety profile, low incidence of adverse side effects and high patient satisfaction," concludes Sarnoff. The ability to rebuild elasticity and collagen density within aged skin has added a tremendous dimension to rejuvenation procedures.

The DOT laser technology literally takes years off the face.

Web site: http://www.dottherapy.com/

What is VASER™ -- Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction?

VASER™ Assisted Liposuction uses ultrasonic or high frequency sound wave energy to efficiently break apart fat deposits. VASER™ uses a specialized small diameter cannula (thin metal rod) which transmits ultrasound (high frequency sound waves) energy to the treatment area. This small rod is inserted into the fat layer and the energy vibrations selectively burst the walls of the fat cells, emulsifying or liquefying the fat. This makes the fat easier to suction out. The connective tissue and surrounding blood vessels are generally spared resulting in significantly less bruising and tissue injury. This promotes a less painful and easier recovery. Because the fat is rendered into a more manageable state the physician can be more precise in his or her efforts to achieve smoothness and tapering in the treatment areas.

Vaser Assisted Liposuction

At Silk Touch Medspa we utilize two great technologies to help us eliminate unwanted fat that diet and exercise just don't seem to tackle. They are Smartlipo laser-assisted liposuction and Vaser Hi-DEF using ultrasound technologies.

Over a year ago we started using Smartlipo for reducing small areas of unwanted fat. Quickly we found that a majority of our clients wanted many more areas done that necessitated greater amounts of fat to be removed. Thus, we added the VASER, a less well known technology, but a superior device that helps to tighten skin and melt the fat efficiently with little trauma to the underlying tissue. Many of our clients are able to do the procedure with little or no sedation. This translates into a less painful recovery as well. More about VASER later but for now check out these links.

Vaser Video#1
Vaser Video#2
Vaser Video #3

NEW! Fractionated CO2 laser

We are looking forward to adding a new and exciting CO2 laser treatment in Jan of 2009. CO2 laser resurfacing has long been the gold standard of skin resurfacing. Unfortunately, the recovery down time after treatment was unacceptable for most people. Generally recipients of this treatment would have a red swollen and weeping face for a week followed by up to a month of dramatic facial redness. Another problem commonly experienced with full CO2 lasers is the line of demarcation between the treated and untreated areas.

A "fractionated" CO2 laser takes the same effective laser energy and divides the laser beam into manageable treatment partitions or "fractions". Instead of covering the treatment area with a brush stroke it covers the treatment area with a series of closely spaced dots. This allows for the benefits of wrinkle reduction, skin tightening and skin resurfacing without the prolonged down time. A client typically has only 3-7 days of redness and peeling rather than 3-4 weeks.

For some individuals, 3-7 days of downtime may not be acceptable or even needed. This is where our Affirm collagen building laser will continue to fill an important treatment modality. The Affirm laser works in the deeper tissues of the dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin growth. Similar wrinkle reduction and skin tightening results can eventually be achieved, with down times of only 1-2 days. The trade-off is that the Affirm generally takes several treatments to achieve similar results to a single fractionated CO2 laser treatment.

Click here to learn more about DOT Therapy