Zeltiq Gets Approved in Europe for Non-Invasive Fat Reduction
Ahhh….The elusive goal of all patients – removing fat without surgery or dieting. Zeltiq is the latest company to receive approval for CoolSculpting, a technology that ostensibly reduces fat thickness by cooling fat. If you read the company’s press release, it sure sounds good. But once you read through it carefully, you realize that it doesn’t come close to comparing with its closest rival, UltraShape. I participated in the UltraShape trials, so I do know a bit about it.
UltraShape, there is a selective damage to fat cells; nerves and blood vessels were preserved. But “freeze-thaw necrosis” – the process of Zeltiq, can’t distinguish between the unwanted fat and normal tissue. Zeltiq takes months to show a result and can cause swelling after the treatment.
Finally, there have been several publications in Ultrashape in key journals along with dozens of abstracts reported at meetings. With over 150,000 Ultrashape treatments, Zeltiq has a big uphill battle!