By Dr. Regula Burki

Editor’s note: this column is usually devoted to women’s health issues, but this month we’re taking a detour into a more cosmetic direction. After all, we’re getting into shorts and t-shirt weather, and many readers would be interested in learning about something like the below ( I hope; before I read this column I didn’t know such a thing existed, go figure.) As always, we appreciate your comments and feedback.

If you want to use Lypossage to lose weight, it definitely is a useless and expensive gimmick. If you want to use it, however, as an adjunct to a conscientious weight loss and exercise program to smooth out some lumpy problem spots, it appears to work well and can be documented with quite impressive “before” and “after” pictures. You won’t loose pounds, but you will loose inches.

Lypossage was developed in 1999 by a massage therapist as a natural treatment for cellulite, the lumpy bumpy tissue many of us find on our thighs and hips. Lypossage has been successfully branded and must be performed by trained massage therapists, who are required to attend specific training courses and demonstrate proficiency in the technique. It combines several different massage techniques derived from physical therapy, lymphatic drainage and deep tissue massage.

The goal of this type of deep tissue massage is to remove stagnant, stalled lymphatic fluid from the tissues that can create the lumps and bulges referred to as cellulite. The deeper Lypossage strokes break up adhesions under the skin that cause the dimpled, uneven skin surface. Lypossage can also help tone the muscles, lifting and firming sagging tissue. It is performed by hand and the technique can safely be applied to the hips, thighs, and lower abdomen, as well as the upper body, including the arms, the face, and neck in almost anybody. There are few contraindications, such as fresh scar tissue, infected tissue and certain skin and blood disorders.

Treatments last about 30 minutes and are typically performed in a series of 18 over the course of six weeks. It’s important to note that for most people, it takes about 8-10 sessions before the initial results of the treatment become noticeable. After that, progress can often be quite dramatic. Combining Lypossage with detoxifying body wraps may further enhance results.

The cost of Lypossage treatment in Salt Lake City can vary between $200 and $3000, depending how extensive a treatment series you choose and how many body wraps and other skin treatments you add.

A similar kind of cellulite treatment is also performed with so called body contouring machines. Mechanical body contouring generally is applicable to larger tissue areas and can not be used as localized as Lypossage, which is performed by hand and also allows for more individualized adjustment of the amount of pressure applied. There are no specific training requirements for the operators of body contouring machines as there are for Lypossage therapists.

Both Lypossage and mechanical body contouring is much safer than liposuction, but will give less dramatic results. Lypossage can be very beneficial before and after liposuction, because it softens the tissues in preparation for the procedure and smoothes out the grooves sometimes left in the fat after liposuction. It is also much safer than an abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”), which is one of the most dangerous cosmetic operations performed. It can help optimize the result of a “tummy tuck” as well, but the timing of the treatments should be discussed with the plastic surgeon beforehand.

Lypossage is not the end of all cellulite and fat rolls by itself. That would be just too good to be true! You can expect the best results, if you combine a Lypossage treatment series with other lifestyle changes, such a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains and lots of water, without a lot of salt, refined sugars, caffeine, alcohol and environmental toxins. A regular muscle toning and/or muscle building exercise regimen is also essential. If you need to drop a few pounds, you will have to drop the number of calories you consume no matter what else you do.

Nor will the effects of Lypossage last more than a few months, unless you maintain your good health habits. Many people find that they have to do periodic maintenance treatments.

If you are ready to make good on those New Year’s resolutions, Lypossage may be worth a try, especially if you are too squeamish to have plastic surgery. You will be both pampered and motivated by all the attention you receive during your treatment series—but you will have to pay handsomely for that luxury.

Dr. Burki writes about women’s health issues each month in the Sports Guide. Send in your question to her c/o sportsguide@sisna.com.