Taking Action: Can You Really Lose One Inch of Fat with LipoSonix?

Dr. Stephanie Gafford, aka Dr. Beautiful, had been looking for a non-invasive fat reducer for quite some time. Then in October 2011, she learned of one making its way to the United States.

"They've been using this device overseas and in Canada for at least four years and there's been ten years worth of market research, so we know that it's a very safe device and that it works," said Gafford.

That device is called LipoSonix and Gafford believes it separates itself from all the other so-called fat reduction treatments on the market.

"So many devices before have not worked and this has done a really good job," said Gafford.

The high intensity ultrasound received FDA approval in December for treatments on the abdomen and love handles. During the procedure, the head of the device is placed on the treatment area and focuses the ultrasound energy on the targeted fat.

"What happens is the body emulcifies that fat and then it's reabsorbed over the next eight to twelve weeks," said Gafford. "So a patient comes in, is treated for an hour and then over the next eight to twelve weeks, that fat is permanently eliminated."

That fat may be permanently eliminated within eight to 12 weeks, but only from the treated area. Makers of the device say the process destroys the fat cells beneath the skin, which are then naturally removed from the body.

"As long as you maintain your weight or lose weight, you'll never have to worry about that fat coming back," said Gafford.

But if you pick up bad habits that new fat will land somewhere.

"Once you destroy those fat cells, those fat cells are gone forever, but fat has to find a home somewhere, so it may find a home someplace that you don't want it to be," said Gafford.

Cheryl McCown went to Dr. Beautiful to see the treatment's sculpting effects first-hand.

"It's just going to get rid of the weight in a certain area that you have a very hard time and me, it's the muffin top that I can't get rid of," said McCown.

LipoSonix will not cause McCown to lose weight, but Gafford says McCown will lose fat from that trouble zone in eight to 12 weeks following the session. For this mom that eats right but has little time to work out, it's just what the doctor ordered.

"With a husband, job, two kids, and gymnastics, ball, I don't have time," said McCown.

McCown scheduled a LipoSonix session with Gafford in April. During her visit, Gafford charted the treatment area in a grid on McCown's stomach and love handles.

Each numbered area had the high-intensity ultrasound placed on it for about one minute, four different times. The process was not as painful as McCown expected.

"It's really not that bad," said McCown. "I mean, at the end of one little segment, it has a little tingle, a little burn, but then by the time you have acknowledged it, it's time to move on."

Leigh Ann Holaway was one of the first patients at Gafford's office to undergo the procedure.

"I'm not one to exercise on a regular basis and had a pooch that I wanted to get rid of and I've always been very hippy," said Holaway.

After having her abdomen and love handles done in January, four months later, Holaway loved her results.

"I'm going to say I noticed it about eight weeks out and I did nothing different, didn't change my diet, don't exercise and I was in a size smaller," said Holaway. "It was amazing."

Health insurance does not cover LipoSonix because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. One session costs about $3,000.

The ideal candidates for LipoSonix must have at least one inch of fat at the desired treatment areas, but are not more than 20 to 30 pounds overweight. LipoSonix is only FDA approved for treatment on the abdomen and love handles, but Gafford's office has also treated inner and outer thighs and the buttocks.

Gafford said patients will have some bruising, soreness and swelling in the treatment area following the procedure.