After two decades of wearing pants and long skirts in the summer, I declared war on my cellulite. I had a pretty good diet, but wasn't working out hard enough or frequent enough, I would drink several nights out of the week, and I had minor nutrient deficiencies (Vit B, D, Mg). I bought two different types of ceramic leggings and went to optimizing these things. By the time I went all in on Cellfina, I was suprised at the significant progress I had made (see next post for what really made a difference). However, there were still several stubborn spots, and I didn't dare pinch or clinch. My procedure was much like everyone describes. I felt the pain was tolerable, but more than a 2. The worst part of the pain is the suction on the device and the first anesthesia injections in an area, but it gets better with more injections in an area. I found that counting to 10 anytime the pain was intense helped. By the time they cut the bands, it felt like a vibrating massage. I browsed several magazines to keep distracted. I pretty sore for 24 hrs and then the pain lessens. All tolerable without meds. Perhaps some things to know before- buy some sterile gauze, medical tape, and absobant pads. My procedure was in the afternoon, and I changed my dressings once before bed and once the following morning. They lightly massaged me to get the some of the fluid out. So, most was out by morning, but I did have two spots that went for most of the day after. When they first wrap you, think of how you will pee. They wrapped my bandages in saran wrap which was helpful to keep the fluid contained, but this had to be cut back and then rewrapped to pee. I also found sitting forward and bending forward helped to not put too much hard pressure on the treared areas and keep clean. It is really helpful to have someone rewrap you. Drink lots of water. I wish i had brought in some pics to be able to discuss the areas that really bothered me. I think the Rinnova team was very careful to catch it all, but this would've helped me feel better. I went for a long walk the next day and was back at my workout routine two days after. I haven't used anything on the area other than keeping it clean, and things are healing nicely. I have a couple post pics from the day after. So, far I am very happy and think it was worth it, but am going to wait to heal to call it. I will post more pics as I heal. I will try to find some good before pics. I feel the dr pics are misleading for how far I have come since April (it was really, really bad). Updated on 11 Jun 2016: As I mentioned above, I changed a lot of things prior to going all in for Cellfina. I think the most impactful thing was probably exercise. I started doing an online HIIT program 30 min at least 3 times a week and was getting 1 hr walks/light hikes a couple times a week. I figured what good is it to get rid of cellulite if your legs have no shape. So, I Got comfortable with doing a bunch of curtsey lunges, regular lunges, bridges, squats, etc. Not only is this helping with the tone, but I think the circulation has helped considerably. I eat a lot of veggies, fruit, and protein anyway, and don't eat much sugar or processed foods. I was eating a lot of dairy. So, I cut that back to a couple oz of cheese per week and the occasional 1/2 c ice cream. I cut all the other sugar except that ice cream. I also cut alcohol to one day a week and not more than 2 drinks on that day. Honestly, that was really hard, but I feel that my overall emotional wellbeing is so much better. I didn't realize that would be so impactful. Since I was drinking less alcohol, it was easier to just substitute it with water. I started taking a supplement that contains collagen and hyuralonic acid in addition to the vitamins above. Not sure if that helped, but it didn't hurt. Finally, the pants. I got a pair of neoprene ceramic and a pair of ceramic massaging tights about a month after I changed my diet and exercise. I think they help. Anyway, as I mentioned above, I think there was a very significant improvement prior to signing up for Cellfina. I hope this gets me the rest of the way. Updated on 18 Jun 2016: I'm still very happy. The swelling has gone down. My bruises are almost gone and are only slightly tender if I press on them.
I eat right and work out and really like my body except for my legs .... particularily the pesky can't get rid of cellulite on my back of legs and butt . So after much research , I selected cellfina . I went in today for treatment and am extremely hopeful to gain some improvement .. I will still need skin tightening .. But first things first .. Let's kick some cellulite to the curb ! The procedure took about 1.5 hours and was really easy peasy .. . Just the numbing hurts .. But really not that bad Updated on 26 May 2016: Here are day two pics .. Struggling to get marker off my legs and butt .. Too sensitive to really scrub Updated on 27 May 2016: Day3 still have some remaining ink marks the red no fly zone marks are being most stubborn to scrub off .. However .... I am starting to see some improvement so YAY!!! Pics are hard to take by myself so angles distort .. I will definitely keep posting and include pics from my appointment on June 14 so they are in same light . I am using my least friendly lights in house so as accurate as I can get . My butt looks better for sure .. Hoping for my legs to continue Updated on 28 May 2016: Not really seeing the improvement yet on my legs . However the dimples on my butt are gone .. So I do know for sure .. It works on whatever clear cut dimples you may have .. Still reserving judgement on my legs until I go to my follow up at docs on 14th .. Feeling bummed about my legs .. Happy about butt.. Because i am taking pics myself the angle is hard to get in my right check .. But see dimples gone Updated on 29 May 2016: I will ask Dr Becker to redo the one missed dimple but otherwise I am quite pleased with the improvement .. Leg improvement is clear to see now .. Because of the one dimple missed it helps me appreciate the changes otherwise .. I even tried on my first mini skirt that I could wear now without hose!! Updated on 31 May 2016: Trying to take pics in most unkind light in my house .. Here's yucky bathroom light Updated on 1 Jun 2016: My legs look so much better .. My left one has the dimple which was missed but the good news on it .. That's how my legs looked all over before !! So I am showing you all again for contrast purposes Updated on 2 Jun 2016: Legs still need skin tightening but much improved. Updated on 14 Jun 2016: Here at Rinnova and doc is fixing my missed dimple and actually doing it today . What an amazing Doctor . I can not say enough great things about Dr . Todd Becker and his staff ! Cellfina works !!! Updated on 17 Jun 2016: Got bruising big time on the area where Doctor Becker went back and did the missed dimple .. But it will be sooooo worth it .. Here are some other pics in my bathroom light where my legs always used to look bad
Everyone is very friendly, clean, and excited to help. I love them and recommend them every time . When I started treatment with Dr. Becker, my face was covered in cystic acne. Now a year later my acne is 95% controlled, and now we are now working on acne scar removal,which I am very excited about now. I feel like I got my face back.
I am a 40 year old woman who needed a little rejuvenating. I did this procedure because I didn't want to do fillers. I want to still look like myself but rejuvenated. I went to doctor Becker in Boulder he and his staff were very helpful in finding the right procedure for me. I am only a couple days out but experiencing everything they explain to me. There's been no pain just swelling and a little bruising.I will keep you updated on my recovery and results. Updated on 10 Oct 2013: I am 6 days out my swelling is gone I have a couple little bruises that are almost gone. there is also some peeling and itching. Other than that I'm doing great. Now I am just waiting for the rejuvenating to start. I will keep you updated. Updated on 2 Nov 2013: Updated on 2 Dec 2013: Skin looks smoother but under eyes still loose. Hopefully will get btr. Updated on 2 Jan 2014: my skin looks smoother and tighter
I am a woman in my late 50’s that was noticing laxity in my facial and neck skin and definite loss of volume and tone. I wanted a natural, younger look without surgery. Based on research and consultation with my dermatologist, Dr. Becker, I decided to try ePrime, a minimally invasive treatment that has shown to be effective in stimulating production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Dr. Becker combines ePrime with sublative to maximize rejuvenation benefits. Feeling comfortable with all the information given, I scheduled the treatment. Day of treatment: Since I was having sublative done first, I was given a numbing cream. It was definitely effective in managing any discomfort that I may have felt. After sublative, my face was washed and I was given local anesthesia. After the initial injection, the pain was minimal. The ePrime procedure lasted about an hour. It was relatively painless except for the area around the jaw. Throughout it Dr. Becker was making certain I was comfortable. I saw Dr. Becker for f/u the next day, and he took pictures for my file and reassured me that he was happy with the result. Post treatment: Although individual results vary, I was more swollen and bruised than I thought I would be. My face and neck were red, tender, and a bit itchy with bumpy, uneven skin. Since I prepared for downtime I was ok with it and used cold compresses throughout the day and night. I was probably a bit more swollen the following day with my upper lip and lower jaw showing most of the swelling. The sides of my face were a bit discolored, but most of my bruising was lower peri-orbital and around the chin and lips. I used arnica for the bruising and a moisturizer for my skin. The obvious swelling lasted about 6 days and then started to dissipate. Two weeks later: My face contours are back to normal and the bruising is almost completely resolved except in the peri-orbital area. I was able to camouflage much of it with a high density concealer (Dermablend). My skin is still a bit tender to the touch, my upper lip is a bit numb, but this is getting better every day. I am extremely satisfied with the expertise, professionalism and excellent aftercare I received from Dr. Becker and his staff. Everyone was absolutely wonderful and I was always provided with realistic expectations. I am waiting for results of improvement over time and will update you on my progress! Updated on 26 Sep 2013: …A month has passed since my ePrime treatment: The bruising in the peri-orbital area has completely resolved and I no longer need to use concealer. Overall I feel that the volume and tone of my skin has improved. The lines around the lips are less noticeable and the skin seems thicker. As a result, my lips also seem fuller. My upper lip is no longer numb. The area under my chin and the neck are smoother and firmer, but still a bit tender to the touch. I am using Cetaphil to moisturize and apply sunscreen every morning.Very happy thus far. I will keep you updated on further improvement!
Having spent all of my childhood and most of my young adulthood in the sun, I am now left with sunspots, uneven skin color and texture and a multitude of “beauty marks”. I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Becker who suggested IPL and Sublative. He was very informative, answered all my questions and made sure there were no contraindications for treatment. His staff is very experienced and meticulous. I had both treatments done on the same day. After having had numbing cream applied, there was minimal discomfort during the treatment. Use of the cold air blower also helped. Afterwards, I had some redness and tingling and a hot feeling that lasted for a few hours. I also had some grid marks that I was able to cover with 30 SPF tinted moisturizer. The dark spots were definitely noticeable and they became darker as time went on and started to flake off after about a week. Throughout this time I kept my skin moisturized with Cetaphil and used sunscreen every day. After one treatment I noticed a big improvement in the pigmentation and texture. Overall my skin seemed smoother, thicker and more youthful. My pores also appear smaller. I was pleased with the lifting of the dark spots and plan to schedule my second treatment. In the meantime, I will not leave the house without applying sunscreen! I will post again after my next treatment.
This was one of the worst experiences I've ever had! The P.A. that called with biopsy result made it sound like the surgery was relatively minor. The office never told me what to expect or how to prepare for the surgery, so I called with some questions. The P.A. said most people don't have anything stronger than a local anesthetic, and just gave me a general description of what the doctor would do. I didn't even meet the doctor before the day of the scheduled procedure. After injecting my lip with anesthetic, I could feel the tug of slicing skin off my upper lip. I immediately threw up and was shaking and light headed. They acted as if this were strange, and said it rarely happens. I hadn't brought my husband to be with me, since I wasn't planning to have a general anesthesia, but realized I needed him there with me. I didn't receive much comfort at that point, and they left me in the room by myself for what seemed like a long time. After finally getting my bearings, I tried calling my husband to come, and he arrived later. My husband and I were in the surgery room and the doctor came in to continue the surgery. He didn't even acknowledge my husband or introduce himself - how rude!! He and the M.A. proceeded to get another slice of skin, and just imagining what they were doing caused me extreme discomfort since I was wide awake. When they began to close the wound up, I could see them sewing the skin with stitches, and could hear them going through my skin. I wished I had had my music to listen to to at least mask the noises of cutting and sewing. Bottom line is this: I think the doctors and staff should have explained in detail BEFORE my surgery what to expect, what the options are for anesthesia, how to help me with anxiety and discomfort (music through earphones), etc. They have done probably thousands of these procedures, and they should know all the possible concerns of a patient, and address them beforehand. If this surgery had been on my arm, leg, almost any place else on my body, I would have been OK with their approach, but on my face!! Come on - they really neglected their oath on this one.
While IPL can be helpful for mild rosacea, Vbeam targets the redness more specifically. If you have had disappointing results wth IPL I would definitely recommend Vbeam. In fact, I generally use it as my first choice for rosacea. It can cause some temporary swelling. Bruising can usually be avoided with the appropriate settings.
Redness is common from the healing process after surgery and may exacerbate an underlying tendency to flush. Treating with a vascular laser such as the Excel V is effective and safe to use after surgery. In fact, treating surgical scars early can improve the scar and speed healing.
Lasers are very effective at eliminating capillaries and vessels. I couldn't be sure without examining, but these may be a vascular malformation that does deeper. A pulsed dye laser such as the Vbeam would be ideal for the superficial component but may not treat the deeper vessels. Alexandrite or Nd:Yag lasers could reach the deeper vessels to completely clear up these spots.
The pain you are describing is an uncommon but well-described experience for some patients. There are a few things that have been shown to help: compression, ibuprofen and prescription neuron tin (gabapentin). The good news is that the pain always resolves, usually within a week.
Voluma is a great option for mid-face filling and can give very natural results. It can cause some temporary swelling. If it persists more than 2 weeks you may consider having the filler removed with an injection of hyaluronidase.
