Body Procedures

Cellulite Treatment

Also known as cellulite reduction

Cellulite is normal fat just beneath the skin that causes irregular undulations and flaccidity (lack of youthful firmness) in the skin because it pushes against connective tissue.

When to Consider Cellulite Treatment

• If your skin has a puckered appearance at areas of fat accumulation that disturbs you.
• If you are not significantly overweight, but have moderate cellulite on your thighs, buttocks and/or hips.
• If you have light-colored skin, on which cellulite tends to be more noticeable.
• If you have tried various creams, massages or injectables and have seen no improvement.

Considerations

Pros

• Treatment improves the appearance of dimpled cellulite tissues.
• Skin thickness and elasticity are increased.
• Results last one year or more.

 
Cons

• Side effects include bruising, swelling, numbness and mild discomfort.
• This nonsurgical treatment is relatively new to the market and can be costly.

These are the top three pros and cons to weigh when considering cellulite treatment. If you wish to focus on what is unique to you, please consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Are you a good candidate for cellulite treatment?

• If your skin has a puckered appearance at areas of fat accumulation that disturbs you.
• If you are not significantly overweight, but have moderate cellulite on your thighs, buttocks and/or hips.
• If you have light-colored skin, on which cellulite tends to be more noticeable.
• If you have tried various creams, massages or injectables with no improvement.

If you are in good general health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.

What are my options?

What are the brand names for cellulite treatment?

Lumenis Legend

Selecting a Surgeon

It’s important to choose your surgeon based on:

• Education, training and certification
• Experience with cellulite treatment surgery
• Your comfort level with him or her

After finding a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area who is experienced in performing cellulite treatment, you will need to make an office appointment for your consultation. Generally, because of the in-depth nature of the consultation, there is a cost associated with the initial visit.

Your initial consultation appointment

During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Your surgeon will evaluate you as a cellulite treatment candidate and clarify what cellulite treatment can do for you. Understanding your goals and medical condition, both alternative and additional treatments may be considered.

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your complete medical history. This will include information about:

• Previous surgeries
• Past and present medical conditions
• Allergies and current medications

Your treatment plan

Based on your goals, physical characteristics and the surgeon’s training and experience, your surgeon will share recommendations and information with you, including:

• An approach to your treatment, including the type of procedure or combination of procedures.
• The outcomes that you can anticipate.
• Your financial investment for the procedure.
• Associated risks and complications.
• Options for anesthesia and surgery location.
• What you need to prepare for your procedure.
• What you can expect to experience after cellulite treatment.
• Before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours and answer any questions.

Questions to ask your aesthetic plastic surgeon

For a general list of questions to ask your surgeon about his or her background, find out about plastic surgery safety and to plan your procedure. We developed these questions to help you:

• Make the most informed and intelligent decisions about your procedure.
• Confirm that you have the right surgeon for your procedure.
• Make your initial consultation as rewarding as possible.
• Understand your options, potential outcomes and risks.

It is important for you to take an active role in your treatment, so please use this list of questions as a starting point for your initial consultation.

• Am I a good candidate for cellulite treatment?
• Are the results I am seeking reasonable and realistic?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for the procedure I am undergoing?
• Will my scars be visible? Where will my scars be located?
• What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for me?
• What will be the costs associated with my treatment?
• What will you expect of me to get the best results?
• What kind of recovery period can I expect and when can I resume normal activities?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• What are my options if the cosmetic outcome of my surgery does not meet the goals we agreed on?

Preparing for Your Procedure

Your surgeon will provide thorough pretreatment instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for treatment.

In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:

• Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before undergoing treatment to promote better healing.
• Avoid taking aspirin, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve) and vitamins/homeopathic regimens that can increase bleeding.
• Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after surgery for safe recovery.

Cellulite treatment is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery.

What can I expect on the day of cellulite treatment?

Your cellulite treatment may be performed in an accredited hospital, a freestanding ambulatory facility or an office-based surgical suite. Most cellulite treatment procedures take at least one to one and a half hours to complete but may take longer.

• Medications are administered for your comfort during the procedure.
• For your safety during the treatment, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
• Your surgeon will follow the treatment plan discussed with you before surgery.
• After your procedure is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored.
• You will probably be permitted to go home after a short observation period unless you and your plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate post-treatment recovery.

Aftercare and Recovery

Your surgeon will discuss how long it will be before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After treatment, you and your caregiver will receive detailed instructions about your care, including information about:

How will I look and feel immediately after cellulite treatment?
You should be able to return to normal activities within the same day.

Recovery time frame after cellulite treatment
It is vitally important that you follow all patient care instructions provided by your surgeon. This will include information about wearing compression garments, taking an antibiotic if prescribed and the level and type of activity that is safe. Your surgeon will also provide detailed instructions about the normal symptoms you will experience and any potential signs of complications. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

How Long Will the Results Last?

Results continue to improve in the three to twelve months after a single treatment and appear to last one year or more.

Maintain a relationship with your aesthetic plastic surgeon

For safety, as well as the most beautiful and healthy outcome, it’s important to return to your plastic surgeon’s office for follow-up evaluation at prescribed times and whenever you notice any changes in the treated area. Do not hesitate to contact your surgeon when you have any questions or concerns.

Associated Costs

The cost of cellulite treatment varies from doctor to doctor and from one geographic area to another.

Because cellulite treatment is an elective procedure, insurance does not cover these costs. Many surgeons offer patient financing plans to make the procedure more affordable.

Choose your surgeon based on quality, training and experience—not cost.

Limitations and Risks

Fortunately, significant complications from cellulite treatment are infrequent. Your specific risks for cellulite treatment will be discussed during your consultation.

All procedures have some degree of risk. Some of the potential complications of all are:

• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
• Infection and bleeding
• Changes in sensation
• Scarring
• Allergic reactions
• Damage to underlying structures
• Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures

Other risks specific to cellulite treatment are outlined below:

• Bruising and swelling in treatment areas.
• Small amounts of fluid leaking from incision sites.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your board-certified plastic surgeon, both before and after your cellulite treatment surgery.

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