A laser called "Zerona" may help you get the body you want for summer.
The machine looks like an octopus with five arms, each projecting laser beams onto the stomach, thighs and waist areas; all in an attempt to sculpt your body into how you'd like it to look.
Francia Ordonez got the procedure because, despite being a personal trainer who works out hard and often and was getting good results, she wanted even more.
"I just want to feel confident when I'm out there," Ordonez said. "Every woman has a problem area and mine would be the outer thighs and love handles."
Those are the most difficult areas for most women. As we age, the change in hormones makes it harder to lose the fat from those spots.
Ordonez chose the laser because she wanted to avoid the pain and recovery time associated with surgery and liposuction.
"The laser will hit through the skin to the fat cells, and once it hits the fat cells, it makes little tiny holes in the fat cells allowing the fat to flow out of the fat cells and into the lymphatics," said Ordonez's doctor who performed the procedure, Christopher Ho. "Then it goes into circulation where it can be metabolized."
For a full effect, patients need six one-hour sessions over two weeks. There is no anesthesia, no painkillers needed and no down time.
Most patients can go home right after the procedure, Ho said.
He said results are best, if people work out during the two weeks of the treatment.
He also tells his patients to avoid coffee and alcohol during the course of the treatment, since those beverages can change the water balance in your body. The procedure is safe, said Ho, but may not be a good idea for people with thyroid or metabolic conditions.
Ordonez said she has experienced no side effects at all, and started seeing results after two weeks.
The procedure is not for everyone, and it's not a "magic pill." You have to exercise and diet, too.
There are many cold lasers and other options available. The Zerona procedure costs about $1,000. Whenever you consider surgery, make sure to weigh all the options and ask your doctor which option is best for you.
