Q: What are the pros and cons of UltraShape?

Pros RealSelf members who said that their UltraShape procedure was Worth It report “amazing results from three treatments” and “considerable improvements” in fat reduction, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Recovery time is minimal. Like most fat-reduction procedures, results can be permanent with a healthy lifestyle. A recent clinical trial determined that it's virtually pain-free. Cons Out of those RealSelf members rated UltraShape as Not Worth It , some saw no results, even after three treatments, or had better results with other procedures, like CoolSculpting . Unlike liposuction, it's not a one-and-done procedure: most people need three treatments, spaced two weeks apart, for optimal results. As with other noninvasive body contouring treatments, results take time to develop. While you'll start to see results within two weeks of your first treatment, you won't see final results until four months after your last session.

Question 1

What is UltraShape?

Accepted Answer

UltraShape is an FDA-cleared, noninvasive body shaping treatment. It uses focused ultrasound-frequency energy as a form of ultrasonic cavitation, to break up the walls of fat cells on the stomach, hips, and thighs without harming the surrounding tissue, nerves, or blood vessels.

Once the fat cell walls are broken up, the cells release fat in the form of triglycerides. Over the coming weeks, your liver processes the triglycerides and naturally eliminates them from your body.

Like other noninvasive body contouring treatments, it targets specific areas of stubborn fat and is not intended for significant weight loss. Ideal candidates are already at a healthy BMI.

RealSelf Tip: In 2016, the FDA cleared UltraShape Power, a new version of the original machine, for the reduction of abdominal circumference via fat-cell destruction. A clinical study showed a 32% reduction in the thickness of the abdominal fat layer after three UltraShape Power treatments.

“The upgraded device, other than being a smaller version of the original, allows for faster, more efficient treatments,” according to Dr. Dima Ali, a physician in Reston, Virginia. “I've had patients lose anywhere from one to five inches with three treatments.”

One RealSelf member reported being “extremely happy” with “amazing results from three treatments of UltraShape,” followed by a fourth treatment with UltraShape Power.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of UltraShape?

Accepted Answer

Pros

RealSelf members who said that their UltraShape procedure was Worth It report “amazing results from three treatments” and “considerable improvements” in fat reduction, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Recovery time is minimal.
Like most fat-reduction procedures, results can be permanent with a healthy lifestyle.
A recent clinical trial determined that it's virtually pain-free.

Cons

Out of those RealSelf members rated UltraShape as Not Worth It, some saw no results, even after three treatments, or had better results with other procedures, like CoolSculpting.
Unlike liposuction, it's not a one-and-done procedure: most people need three treatments, spaced two weeks apart, for optimal results.
As with other noninvasive body contouring treatments, results take time to develop. While you'll start to see results within two weeks of your first treatment, you won't see final results until four months after your last session.

Question 3

How much does UltraShape cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, and the number of treatments required to see your desired results.

Some providers offer discounts for a package of three treatment sessions.

Question 4

UltraShape before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The UltraShape photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

How does UltraShape work?

Accepted Answer

Treatment sessions usually take an hour, and most people say that they're comfortable.

Your provider starts by creating a 3-D digital “map” of the problem areas you want treated. You'll lie down on a table, and your provider will glide a handheld device over the area, delivering ultrasound energy waves that break down and rupture the fat cell membranes.

Afterward, you can return to normal activities immediately.

Over the next few weeks, the fat cells release triglycerides into your bloodstream. These are processed by the liver and naturally flushed out. You can help the process along by drinking lots of water, avoiding fatty foods, and exercising regularly.

Related: How to Speed Up Your Lymphatic System Post Body-Contouring

For the best results, you’ll need three UltraShape treatments, spaced two weeks apart.

Question 6

What are the side effects of UltraShape?

Accepted Answer

Because UltraShape doesn’t harm the surrounding tissue, there’s no bruising, swelling, or redness afterward, although some temporary soreness is common in the treatment area.

Question 7

Does UltraShape tighten skin?

Accepted Answer

Does UltraShape tighten skin?

Skin tightening isn't the goal of UltraShape. "It is a fat reduction technology that does not directly address skin laxity," says San Diego dermatologic surgeon Dr. Kimberly Butterwick in a RealSelf Q&A. She says that the skin can look better after UltraShape if the fat deposit that is removed caused drooping," but fat reduction can actually make skin laxity worse for patients who don't have enough elasticity for the skin to bounce back once the fat is removed.

If that's a concern for you (due to aging or sun damage), your doctor may recommend pairing a dedicated skin-tightening treatment with UltraShape.

Question 8

Is UltraShape permanent?

Accepted Answer

Because the treatment breaks down fat cell membranes, results are permanent unless you gain weight. If that happens, the remaining cells will expand.

Also keep in mind that results aren’t immediate. You should start to see visible results within two weeks of your first treatment and final results within four months.

Question 9

Which is better, CoolSculpting or UltraShape?

Accepted Answer

CoolSculpting is another noninvasive, in-office fat reduction treatment that eliminates stubborn pockets of fat. However, CoolSculpting uses cryolipolysis to freeze and kill fat cells, while UltraShape uses pulsed ultrasound technology.

Dr. Joshua Halpern, a plastic surgeon in Tampa, Florida, says, “Unlike [with] CoolSculpting, there is typically no pain during or after treatment with UltraShape Power.” With CoolSculpting, a patient can feel pain during and afterward, because the fat cells are essentially undergoing frostbite. And some patients can develop serious pain after CoolSculpting, requiring strong prescription pain medication. In addition, UltraShape Power removes 33% more fat per treatment versus traditional CoolSculpting. Finally, UltraShape Power is faster: one hour of tummy treatment is equivalent to three hours of traditional CoolSculpting.

Many people feel pain during and after CoolSculpting treatments because the cells are essentially undergoing frostbite.

Question 10

UltraShape vs. VelaShape: what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

VelaShape is ideal for cellulite and reducing the circumference of the arms and waist, whereas UltraShape is designed to target stubborn pockets of fat, such as belly fat.

"Velashape is a non-invasive laser procedure that uses radiofrequency and infrared light energy to shrink fat cells and tighten the skin," says Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Shapiro in a RealSelf Q&A. "It is the only FDA-cleared device that effectively and safely contours, shapes and slims the body by reducing cellulite and firming problem areas within four treatments."

Question 11

UltraShape vs. liposuction: what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

First of all, UltraShape is nonsurgical and noninvasive, while liposuction is not, as doctors on RealSelf are quick to point out, since it requires an incision. It also comes with more side effects (like bruising and swelling) and up to two weeks of downtime.

It's also significantly more expensive: over $6,000 on average, though the price varies by the size of the treatment area.

That said, liposuction results are more immediate and dramatic, and most patients only need one procedure to see a significant change. Energy-assisted liposuction treatments also allow surgeons to more precisely sculpt the body.

Related: Plastic Surgeons Say the Best Liposuction Results Have 4 Things in Common

“I always start off by telling my patients that UltraShape is not a replacement for surgical liposuction. Liposuction will most likely provide the best results—however, the bottom line is that it is invasive and surgical,” explains Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, dermatologic surgeon Dr. Stacy Chimento. Still, she says UltraShape is “extremely effective.”

Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh of Long Island also believes liposuction is “the gold standard in body contouring, because it allows you to address various depths of fat under the skin circumferentially in the body.” However, he calls UltraShape a “great alternative” involving “absolutely zero downtime, no pain, and no scars,” with patients still seeing a “viable difference.”

ULTRASHAPE

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA

Colleen Williams

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Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA

Colleen Williams

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