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With the Cellfina procedure, will the skin present with a more saggy appearance because the bands have been cut?

Are the results the same for the inner thigh?

Doctor Answers 16

March 19th, 2016

Cellulite, Vaser Smooth, Thermi RF, Cellfina, Fat Transfer, Cellulaze, Subcision, Dimpling, Sculpsure, Coolsculpting

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Cellfina is an FDA approved minimally invasive procedure that reduces the appearance of cellulite for at least two years on the buttocks and back of the thighs of women.
It works by releasing the internal bands that cause the cellulite dimpling and so we have not seen any fat atrophy. You should not see much of a difference with weight gain or loss but this also has not been studied.
Other areas of the body with dimpling, it is important to make sure it is truly cellulite before treatment.

It is common to have swelling bruising and firmness after the procedure. This can last for a few weeks.
It is different than Cellulaze which is a laser.
If you have had previous poor results with cellulaze, you can still do Cellfina.
Cellfina has shown 100% noticeable improvement and 96% satisfaction in all patients at 2 years.
Cellfina is designed to be a one time procedure.
It can be used on women with all skin types but caution should be taken if theres a history of keloiding.

It can also be combined with other treatments such as Thermi or
Ulthera if skin tightening is needed.

We have done Sculpsure and Coolsculpting if fat reduction is wanted, but its best to wait 3 months to see the results before proceeding.

It can also be done at the same time as other procedures such as liposuction and BBL or as a stand alone procedure in the office.

Since Cellfina outcomes can be based on technique and experience, please see a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes body contouring to see if Cellfina or other treatments are available to meet your goals.

Take care,

Dr Schwartz
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Director-Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute

Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6afroT8XpQM

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS
February 20th, 2016

The skin doesn't sag

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After doing cellfina for a about a year, I can confidently say that I have not seen any sagging of the skin after Cellfina.  Because the areas of undermining are relatively small, the components of skin next to this hold up the skin that is next to the area treated.  Unfortunately many women believe that laxity of the skin is cellulite, and Cellfina will not fix laxity of the skin.  That would be more of a thigh lift.  I would encourage you to go to a plastic surgeon who can do either surgery, and can tell you the pros and the cons of each.
Dan Mills, MD

Dan Mills, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 35 reviews

February 18th, 2016

Skin not saggy after Cellfina

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Well-performed Cellfina treatment will not cause sogginess in the treated areas.  Our skin has a natural ability to heal and contract to retain a natural contour.  However, if too aggressive or too many overlapping areas are treated, it is possible that an irregularity could occur.  This is extremely unlikely however in experienced hands.

Melanie D. Palm, MD - Account Suspended
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon

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*Treatment results may vary

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View all Cellfina reviews
January 26th, 2016

Cellfina and loose skin

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The quality of the skin makes difference in the treatments.  In areas where there are loose or damaged skin it would not make sense to perform the procedure using the Celfina device.
Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS
June 20th, 2017

Skin Sagging & Cellfina

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Cellfina has been approved to treat discrete cellulite dimples over the buttocks as well as back and sides of the thighs.  It should be used conservatively and avoided in certain areas such as the gluteal crease and banana roll so that there is not a negative effect on the overall contour of your leg or skin quality.  Having the procedure completed by an experienced surgeon will ensure that you have the best result possible. 

Mitchell Brown, MD
January 29th, 2017

About Treating Cellulite with Cellfina

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Cellfina is the newest, most effective FDA approved technology available for treating cellulite. This one-time, minimally invasive procedure takes only 45 minutes to perform, but the results last for a minimum of two years. #Cellfina has the longest lasting results of any current #cellulite treatment. Its approval rate is over 93% here on RealSelf.
Used on #moderate to #severe cellulite of the buttock and thighs, Cellfina works by treating the rubber-band-like connective tissue that causes cellulite. When these “rubber bands” under the skin are cut, the fat trapped underneath in dimples “snaps” back into place, creating a full, smooth appearance.
There is no cutting and no incisions. To perform this controlled, precise, and safe procedure, a vacuum hand piece is placed over the dimpled tissue through which the surgeon will deliver a local anesthetic. Then a small, needle-like #microblade is inserted to release the fibrous bands, the cause of cellulite. Results can be seen in as little as three days post-op. Most patients report some soreness, tenderness, and bruising, which should #resolve within a week. 90% of patients reported no bruising after one month. To ensure the best results, a compressive garment should be worn for 2 weeks post-treatment. Seek more information to learn if you are candidate for #Cellfina by consulting with a board-certified Plastic Surgeon.  

Learn more: http://www.horowitzmd.com/medical-spa-treatments-newport-beach/cellfina/

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 116 reviews

November 21st, 2016

Buttocks not saggy after cellfina

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Cellfina clips the cords that cause the dimples of cellulite. This does not create sagging.  Many people actually do have sagging skin that contributes to the appearance of cellulite.  Sagging skin can be treated with Ultherapy.  In my experience, if people have only dimples, cellfina will give them a great result on its own, however, most people have a combination of issues which requires a combination of treatments to get the best result.  This combination can be tailored especially to your needs during a consultation.

Learn more: http://www.ericksondermatology.com

Quenby Erickson, DO, FAAD, FACMS
January 24th, 2016

Sagging skin and Cellfina

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Cellfina allows us to lyse the bands under the skin responsible for cellulite. Once this is done, the skin should rebound and assume a more normal contour. If a patient has sagging skin, they are not a candidate for Cellfina. If they do not have sagging skin before the procedure, they should be a candidate and not experience sagging skin afterwards.
Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS
Paramus Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

November 14th, 2015

With the Cellfina procedure, will the skin present with a more saggy appearance because the bands have been cut?

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No, Cellfina should not increase sagginess. There is only one truly effective and proven lasting cellulite treatment out there, and that is CELLFINA. All of the other lotions, potions, creams, treatments, radio frequency devices, including Cellulaze, are at best, mediocre, and, in many cases, completely worthless. Cellulaze is a laser-based procedure that has a much higher complication rate, as well as a much lower patient satisfaction rate, so that answer is pretty clear. CELLFINA is the only cellulite treatment that has a proven track record of 96% patient satisfaction at 2 years post treatment. Nothing else is even remotely as effective as Cellfina. I have attached a link to my website, explaining how this remarkable system works. There are patient testimonials and schematics reviewing the details of this remarkable breakthrough treatment. Also, Cellfina is a single session procedure that is done under local anesthesia with little to no pain! Thank you for your excellent question.


September 19th, 2015

No skin sagging

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The Cellfina procedure is a minimally invasive one that numbs the area around the dimple on your buttocks or thighs, and then treats the connective bands woven throughout the fat that pull down the skin, creating dimpling seen on the skin’s surface. The Cellfina cellulite procedure works by precisely treating these tethered bands, causing them to fully release. Similar to a rubberband under tension, once released, the treated skin bounces back to smooth itself out in as little as three days.

Weight gain or weight loss should not affect the outcomes and the results have been seen for over 2 years (if not more). It is truly a really exciting new technology that most women can benefit from.  Since the surrounding skin is intact, there is no sagging.
Sheila S. Nazarian, MD

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 56 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.