Susie's take on the latest and greatest cosmetic procedures and products out there. All comments are her opinion, and may not be construed as medical advice.
Last night we had another great Smartlipo and Anti-aging seminar with Dr. Brian Kerr, Medical Director of Silk Touch Medspa and Laser Center.
Topics included: laser liposuction including Smartlipo and Vaser assisted liposuction. Dr. Kerr showed many slides of patients that have had successful treatments. To view some of his patient photos CLICK HERE. Vaser and Fat Transfer. Skin tightening using CO2 ablative laser and Affirm deep skin tightening. Botox and Fillers, including more information about the liquid face lift which includes a combination of botox, fillers/fat transfer to turn back the clock at least 10 years.
Dr. Kerr talked in depth about Fat Transfer and its use in breast enhancement and brazilian lift of the buttocks, not to mention for face, hand and other body areas. Standard treatments such as Laser Hair Removal and IPL photo rejuvenation were also briefly discussed.
Dr. Kerr brought up the fact that we were pioneers in introducing Laser Hair Removal to the Boise valley in 1999.
Our focus at Silk Touch Medspa and Laser is to provide our customers with the latest technology.
Seminars are held monthly, usually on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. Visit our website: www.SilkTouchMedspa.com to find out more about it.
This has been a topic of much discussion between Dr. Kerr and myself over the years. We have noted that we are on opposite ends of the teeter totter when it comes to pain tolerance. Dr. Kerr's idea of a massage, for example, is a light touch...nothing too deep. I, on the other hand, want to go deep to the bone. Thankfully our massage therapist knows us and gives us our own dream massage.
So what gives? Why the big difference between us? Maybe a woman vs. man thing? Maybe the fact that I've had 5 babies, 3 kidney stones and major back surgery makes me tougher? I've championed my way through botox, fillers, CO2 skin resurfacing and Smartlipo all with flying colors. I got off the table after Smartlipo and did 3 consults following the treatment. The next day I worked a 10 hour day with no pain medications whatsoever. Well, now I can get off my high horse and stop telling those more "sensitive" to buck up.
It seems that there is some evidence to support the notion that people feel pain differently. Rosie Mestel (Los Angeles Times) wrote an article on this subject and it was featured in theIdaho Statesman on Monday March 15, 2010. A study done in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found a genetic link to pain. It seems there are rare pain conditions caused by mistakes in a gene called SCN9A.
We have all heard of the children who have no pain sensation at all. A parent's worse nightmare! A child accidentally touches the stove and feels nothing...but receives 3rd degree burns! Oh my!
So we know there is an extreme "non-reaction" to pain, so it seems very possible that there are those that are "highly sensitive" to pain on the opposite end of the spectrum. Evidently this gene called SCN9A is to blame.
Dr. Kerr and I have commented on the difference in pain tolerance in our Smartlipo and Vaser laser-assisted lipo patients. Everyone wants to know...how painful is it? How long does it take to recover? We are careful to educate our patients that there is a bell curve. Most patients thankfully feel very little or no discomfort and heal very quickly during their Smartlipo procedures. Most (about 95%) of our patients are back to work within 2-3 days and off any pain medication within that same amount of time. We have observed over the past three years the differences between our Smartlipo & Vaser patients, but nothing concrete to attribute it to? Why does one client get up from their surgical procedure, walk out and report that they had little or no pain or discomfort during the procedure and in recovery? Alternatively, there are those who are much more sensitive to discomfort. Intuitively, we have adjusted to allow more time for the anesthetic to become effective and educate our patients about the possibility that they may take a bit longer to recover and they may have higher discomfort levels. That's just good patient care.
It's just nice to have some science to back up our own observations. There's a gene gone crazy out there that makes us react differently. So now I can't tease my husband about being a big baby when he walks barefoot over pebbles that I can run on. Same is true of his tolerance for botox or other aesthetic treatments. He really doesn't feel things the same way I do. When he asks for a back massage, I won't force him "grow up" and get a real massage (deep massage)...I will just acknowledge that what feels deep and relaxing to me is like pushing hot pokers into him.
This study has brought to light the emphasis we need to place on treating each patient individually for pain. Thankfully Dr. Kerr's background in anesthesia makes him very qualified to help clients remain as comfortable as possible during any cosmetic procedure. Dr. Kerr just needs to clone himself like Michael Keaton in the movie Multiplicity so he can anesthetize himself!
Visit our website for more information about Smartlipo, Vaser and other cosmetic procedures. www.smartlipoboise.com
This is a tip for all our Smartlipo, Zerona, and Take Shape for Life clients who are trying to lose or maintain their lost inches.
KEEPING A JOURNAL FOR WEIGHT LOSS CAN BE POWERFUL! A recently released study that tracked 1685 middle-aged men and women for six month compared those who kept a food diary to those who didn't. Those who wrote down what they ate every day lost twice as much weight as those who didn't . The mere act of tracking food intake can be extremely powerful.
Day-Timer has a Weight Management System for about $50. You can go to www. daytimer.com
I wanted to see if I could find something else that might be even better. So of course I went to Amazon.com and found The DietMinder Personal Food & Fitness Journal for about $10.00. I just ordered one and I'll let you know how I like it.
At Silk Touch Medspa and Laser Center we are focusing on helping our clients lose the weight and keep it off. We have several programs to help our clients achieve their goals: 1. Take Shape For Life meal supplement program. Our clients have lost up to 60 lbs so far and are keeping it off. 2. NEW! We are offering the 1st Zerona slimming laser in Idaho. As seen on The Doctors TV show --this laser is helping our clients lose from 3-5 inches in 2 weeks without dieting! Some clients have lost up to 12 inches! This treatment is for those who just aren't ready for liposuction. 3. Smartlipo Laser-Assisted liposuction. Dr. Kerr uses his skills as a board-certified physician and artist to sculpt away unwanted fat. Having trouble getting rid of those extra love handles even after you've dieted and exercised? This treatment is for you. Starting from $2500 depending on the area and how much is treated. Visit Dr. Kerr's blog for more before and after pictures:
is proud to be the first to introduce the New Zerona slimming laser to Idaho for our 10th anniversary!
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. "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! 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.
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
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