Sunday, December 26th, 2010
ZELTIQ is profiled in this column that covers “people, places, products and ideas that will have significant impact in the near future.” Dr. Welsh was interviewed as a physician of one of the most successful CoolSculpting practices. Check out the article below!
http://blogs.forbes.com/kerryadolan/2010/12/10/names-you-need-to-know-zeltiq/
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Great news everyone! CoolSculpting by Zeltiq has now been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for the non-invasive reduction of fat. This means that Zeltiq has had to prove through many rounds of scientific testing that their product does exactly what it claims: a procedure which delivers a proven method for the selective reduction of “love handles” or flank. Used off label, Zeltiq has been proven to reduce areas of fat in the stomach and back as well.
There has been a strong demand for non-invasive procedures that address the concerns of people who are not overweight, but have pockets of fat that they cannot rid of through traditional methods of diet and exercise. Until now, the only methods of fat reduction were invasive surgical procedures. CoolSculpting is the exciting new non-invasive approach that gently cools unwanted fat cells in the body to induce a natural controlled elimination of these cells. This reduces buldges in the area treated, on average about 20%. Patients typically begin to see results as soon as three weeks following treatment, with the most dramatic results occurring over a period of two to four months.
Unlike other methods of fat reduction, there are no needles, surgery, or downtime! An applicator is placed on the patient in the area to be treated and suctions the fat into a chamber while cooling the underlying fat layer, leaving the skin unharmed. A cold gel pad is placed on the skin in order to protect the outer skin tissue. The procedure takes one hour per area treated, while you are free to read, watch a movie, or get to all of those work emails that have been building up in your inbox! Following treatment, you are able to return to work or finish out the rest of your day with no downtime! Several weeks after the procedure, the cooled fat cells begin a process called apoptosis (natural cell death). These cells then begin to shrink and then are selectively, painlessly, and permanently destroyed, leaving you with a leaner, slimmer waist!
Candidates for this procedure are those individuals who are near their ideal body weight, who eat well and exercise regularly and have pockets of fat that have not responded to a healthy lifestyle. This is a long- lasting spot reduction for a specific area of fat. If you think you are the ideal candidate and are looking for a non-invasive proven and safe method of fat reduction then call our office today!
Kathleen Welsh, MD
415-292-6350
2299 Post St, Ste 312
San Francisco, CA 94115
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
The CoolSculpting procedure by Zeltiq will be featured next week on both “The Doctor Oz Show” & “The Doctors.” CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure for the reduction of fat in those individuals who are not considered overweight, but despite diet and exercise, have pockets of fat that bother them. This exciting new technology has been gaining recognition among the beauty and aesthetic fields since its debut, and now is growing in mainstream popularity as well.
The Dr. Oz episode featuring CoolSculpting will air Tuesday, October 19th and will begin with a discussion of Cryolipolysis (the process of permanently destroying fat cells by subjecting them to extreme cold temperature). Following the discussion Dr. Oz will air a segment demonstrating the procedure on an audience volunteer.
Two days later on Thursday, October 21st, The Doctors will include CoolSculpting as part of their segment about “fast fixes” for fat. The purpose of this is to educate consumers on what is available, and ultimately, what does and does not work. Zeltiq will be featured in the “what works” category!
For those in the Bay Area:
· The Dr. Oz Show airs at 3 pm on Channel 2 and at 8 pm on Channel 36
· The Doctors airs at 4 pm on Channel 2
For those outside of the Bay Area, here are local listings in your area:
· The Dr. Oz Show – http://www.doctoroz.com/find-station
· The Doctors – http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/local_listings
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Check out the June 2010 issue of Marie Claire magazine, where a writer undergoes the Zeltiq procedure and takes us through her personal experience from beginning to end. We are delighted that her treatment delivered the same exciting results we have seen in our practice. The Zeltiq uses cold temperature technology (cryolipolysis) to freeze and reduce fat cells in small, targeted areas around the waist and abdomen. Maximum results are generally seen approximately 2 to 4 months after the treatment. There is minimal (if any) downtime, minimal discomfort and the treatment only takes about an hour per section. When the Zeltiq device first came to our office nearly 6 months ago, the staff jostled as to who would be first in line to try it out! Since that time, we have all seen noticeable results with our own treatments and with that of our patients. Call our office for more details and to try out one of the most exciting procedures of 2010.
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
On Friday, May 14th, we will offer 20% off all sunscreens, Tan Towel self-tanning products, body lotions and scrubs, vitamins and Heliocare (an antioxidant supplement that inhibits the formation of sunburn cells - great for vacations!). The Clarisonic Body System with brushes and Silk’N home hair laser device will also be 20% off.
If you’ve been thinking of trying our Zeltiq fat reduction treatment or Body by Thermage, now is the time! A very special package that combines Zeltiq sculpting treatments and a Thermage treatment to tighten the waist and abdomen area will be available for booking at a great price. Please contact the office for more details.
Refreshments and representatives from our favorite companies will be available to you for questions and information.
Look forward to seeing you May 14th!

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
No matter how advanced technology becomes with lasers, ultrasound, radio frequency or infrared heat techniques, a truly effective, long lasting treatment for cellulite remains elusive. Why is cellulite such a difficult problem to treat? Well, let’s start with exactly what that cottage cheese-like appearance is all about.
Cellulite is an architectural issue between connective tissue of the skin and fatty tissue. The skin is connected to underlying muscle by fibrous connective cords. Fat lies between these structures. The fat pushes out against the skin, while the cords pull down, creating a dimpling effect on the surface. The number, orientation and way these connective cords are organized in the tissue affects the amount and severity of cellulite a person may have. Even though it is a common problem, It is a complex one, which is why there is no easy solution.
Cellulite is typically seen in the thighs, hips and buttocks of most women and may be genetically linked. Excessive weight can make cellulite more noticeable, but it can be seen in lean body types as well. It can also worsen with age as the skin loses elasticity.
You’ve probably seen countless ads with promises to eliminate cellulite. The truth is that no single treatment is completely effective. Topical creams, massage therapy and body wraps only provide a temporary effect on the appearance of cellulite at best, if they even do anything at all. Of all the topical treatments, studies did show that topically applied retinol over a period of 6 months improved the appearance of cellulite because it helped stimulate collagen production and strength in the skin. Mesotherapy, a technique that uses the injection of various substances into the fatty tissue to dissolve it, remains largely unstudied and can have unpredictable outcomes or only temporary improvement. More invasive procedures, such as liposuction, can remove fat in the deeper layers, but its effect on superficial fat mostly seen in cellulite can be disappointing. Laser assisted liposuction may be helpful for very small localized surface areas, but also requires more study. Devices that combine radio frequency, infrared heat and suction with massage have gained popularity, but results on their effectiveness are often mixed and they typically require on-going treatments.
A new concept that may have future application for cellulite reduction is cryolysis. There is evidence that fatty tissue is sensitive to cold temperature injury. Currently, this concept is used in the Zeltiq procedure (cryolipolysis), which reduces small pockets of fat in the waist and love-handle areas of the body. We have seen amazing results with the Zeltiq for this indication and I look forward to more research on cryolysis for the improvement of cellulite as well. Trust me, as soon as there is a safe, non-invasive device that truly improves cellulite, we will offer it!!
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
We’ve been excited about the Zeltiq targeted fat reduction treatment since we began using the device in December and have often discussed it in our blog. It has once again come up in the mainstream media as a new way to help whittle our middles and as an alternative to liposuction. Check out the video from ABC News on February 16th to see the Zeltiq in action! Please contact our office for more details about the procedure.
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Our office has been using the Zeltiq fat reduction device for over a month now, and we are seeing very positive results! As you may recall from my prior blog, the Zeltiq is a non-invasive medical device that is used for targeted fat reduction around the waist, tummy and love handle area of the body. Studies show a loss of fat of approximately 20 percent in the treated areas over a two to four month period. The procedure is comfortable, safe and has little, if any, down-time.
Check out this article from the Orange County Register, that discusses how the Zeltiq procedure rivals liposuction surgery.
If you have any questions regarding Zeltiq, please call our office for more information.
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
If you have been a patient of mine for any length of time interested in reducing areas of fat on the body, you know that I have not been excited or impressed with any of the non-surgical options currently available. I have long held out for a treatment that would be safe and truly provide results, which is why I am so excited to announce that the Zeltiq procedure is finally here!!
The Zeltiq procedure is the new “cool” way to gently reduce fat in targeted areas of the body. Known also as cryolipolysis, this non-invasive procedure results in noticeable, natural looking fat reduction in specific areas without the need for needles, incisions, anesthesia or pain medication. Best of all, you can resume your normal activities immediately following treatment.
The Zeltiq procedure is unique because it uses an advanced tissue cooling technology to eliminate fat cells without damaging the skin. The specially designed applicator cup uses a gentle vacuum pressure to draw targeted skin tissue between two cooling panels. When the fat cells are exposed to the controlled cooling, they begin a process of natural elimination and are gradually removed through the body’s normal metabolic process over time.
Ideal candidates for Zeltiq are relatively fit, but have some modest-size fat bulges that are resistant to diet and exercise. They are seeking spot reduction for specific areas of fat, but are not considering a surgical procedure.
Clinical studies validate that cryolipolysis for fat layer reduction is well-tolerated and produces a visible contour change in the majority of patients. Based on ultrasound assessment, an average fat layer reduction of 22.4% was demonstrated after only one Zeltiq procedure. Results are seen in most people between two to four months following treatment.
The cost to treat one area will be $1000, however, we are so excited by the Zeltiq that we are offering an introductory discount of 50% for procedures booked within the next three months!
For a consultation on what to expect with your specific treatment, to learn more and to take advantage of this special, please contact our office at 415-292-6350.
