Although I have performed close to a thousand cosmetic procedures under local “tumescent” anesthesia without major medical incident patient selection/customization is very important.  Recently a satisfied SmartLipo patient referred her good friend for SmartLipo laser liposuction.  However this friend has significant heart disease and high blood pressure.  So what are her options.  Below is her question and my reply…

Patient: “Samantha” (not real name)     Procedure: Sides and abdominal fat – SmartLipo

Concern: I am a heart patient, I am on blood pressure , cholestrol and heart medication. I have 6 stents in my heart.  Could I be a candidate for this produre?

Comments: I would like to mention “Chloe” (not real name) a recent patient of yours, I beleive she spoke to you about me. 

“Samantha”, first I would like to thank you for contacting us about SmartLipo and your concerns of fat deposits in the abdomen and “side” which I assume must be your flanks or “love handles” or “muffin top”.  I also am very appreciative that “Chloe” would refer you; “Chloe” is a real sweetheart! 

 SmartLipo is a remarkable way to directly remove fat deposits completely under local anesthesia.  However the anesthesia does have epinephrine (“Adrenaline”) which can on occasion cause your heart to beat faster.  Although I have performed approximately a thousand cosmetic procedures under local anesthesia without medical incident in part because of patient selection.  Unfortunately because of your history of six heart stents and high blood pressure SmartLipo is not an appropriate option for you. 

 However, the good news is that we have an alternative low risk treatment that may be of benefit for you!  It is Zerona which is a low level “cold” laser that one lays under for 40 minutes three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three successive weeks.  The Zerona laser does not hurt.  You actually feel nothing at all.  The laser causes your fat cells to become leaky and the fat within the cells moves out into your “lymphatic” system that then drains into your liver or kidney; the fat is excreted into your stool and urine.  Patients do need to be active such as walking, obviously avoid a fatty diet and drink lots of water.  Patients may lose several inches around the abdomen. 

 I have actually had the Zerona treatments myself.  I lost 1 ¾” around my flanks and 1 ¼” around my belly button. 

 Our Zerona web link is: http://laserandvein.com/zerona.php.  You should watch the Health Watch video  in which I explain how Zerona works and will also share my results. 

If you are interested in learning more about Zerona please feel free to call our Napa office at (707) 224-5347 to meet with our Zerona specialist Luma or the Santa Rosa office at (707) 542-8346 to speak to Mary our other Zerona specialist.

 We look forward to meeting you.  Please give our best to “Chloe”.

 Kind regards,

 Walter Tom

Walter W. Tom, MD, FACS

Medical Director

Aesthetic Laser & Vein Centers