Vanquishing fat on your lunch break

FRESNO, Calif. -- If you didn't quite reach your goal to slim down before summer, it's not too late. A technique that's long-been used in medicine, is now approved for fat-reduction, and it's showing fast results.

Nick De Benedetto doesn't mind that most of the clients at Modern Aesthetics in Northeast Fresno are women. He's comfortable in his own skin to undergo the latest technique for fat reduction. It's what's under his skin that bothers him.

The 43-year-old married father of two, suffered a couple of major injuries that sidelined his usually, active lifestyle, and he gained weight. After recovering from those injuries, he re-started his fitness plan.

Nick explained, "I actually started running, did half marathons, did tough mudder races with friends and that kept me going and gave me motivation to exercise, but even after all of that, I wasn't satisfied with the outcome."

Nick still had a few, stubborn inches around his mid-section. But then he heard about Vanquish, an FDA approved fat-reduction technique.

Dr. Uma Rao said, "It's for somebody who has those areas, they're exercising, they're eating well, but they just can't get rid of those certain areas."

Dr. Rao is one of the first physicians in the Valley to offer, Vanquish. She says the technology is more effective than other, fat-melting methods.

"There are many many different machines out there and some of them will shrink the fat cells but the fat cells will still be there, whereas Vanquish actually destroys the fat cell," said Dr. Rao.

In an animation provided by the makers of Vanquish, radiofrequency waves or thermal energy goes through the skin, without injuring it, to target the fat cells underneath. Vanquish can distinguish fat cells from tissue and muscle, to destroy only the fat cells. The body then rids itself of the destroyed fat cells.

Dr. Rao says patients typically need about 4 to 6 treatments to achieve about 60% fat loss in the targeted area. Each Vanquish treatment takes about an hour. The treatment panel is adjusted over the patient's target area, but does not contact the skin. In fact, before treatment begins, Dr. Rao's medical assistant makes sure there is about an inch of space between the panel and the patient at all times.

Nick says he feels only warmth and no pain, during treatment. He explained, "Just like a radiant heat almost like outside if you were laying by the pool."

After each treatment, Nick can resume his day, with no down time.

Dr. Rao says patients can continue to see results even after their last Vanquish treatment. She says most patients can lose between 2 to 4 inches weeks after they've completed their series of Vanquish sessions.

Dr. Rao says 4 Vanquish treatments cost about $2000. Nick says the price, is an investment in himself.

Nick added, "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time."

Vanquish is offered at three, dermatology or medical spa offices around the Valley.