Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon Releases Cellulaze Treatment and Recovery Guide

Dr. Christine Petti advises patients on how to care for themselves following Cellulaze™ treatment for cellulite.

Los Angeles, CA – Dr. Christine Petti, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, served as one of the five FDA clinical investigators of Cellulaze™ in the United States. Approved by the FDA in January 2012, the minimally invasive, single-treatment procedure utilizes a specifically designed fiber-optic laser that can treat all of the anatomical features that cause cellulite.

Cellulaze™ can be used on any area of the body where cellulite can be found, including:

• Thighs
• Hips
• Abdomens
• Arms

The state-of-the-art procedure can be performed in targeted areas under local anesthesia and produces results that can last 1-2 years, or longer. As with any cosmetic procedure, there are a series of postoperative actions Dr. Petti recommends for patients undergoing the cellulite reduction treatment.

Similar to liposuction patients, Cellulaze™ patients are placed in a body garment, and within two weeks they can often transition to wearing a body-contouring garment such as Spanx or Body Shaper. Dr. Petti says: “I like for my patients to use some Topifoam, a 1/4 inch soft foam pad the size of an 8 x 11 piece of paper, that applies pressure to the treated area to help control bruising, swelling, and also assist in molding the area.”

The majority of patients are able to return to work within a day or two and are off all pain medications within a couple days, says Dr. Petti. She adds that many patients do not even have to take any pain medication.

The Los Angeles plastic surgeon also recommends limiting any intense periods of standing if the thighs are treated, and having the patients elevate their legs. She says patients can return to rigorous exercise in approximately 10 days to 2 weeks, and the resolution of bruising is variable – some patients heal within a week, whereas others may take a month.

The entry points heal quickly, and Dr. Petti says they are often invisible after a week. Additionally, she says she has not seen any scarring on patients at her Los Angeles plastic surgery practice to date, and while she informs patients about the possibility of a scar, the incision heals similar to a surface scratch.

In regards to her role as an FDA clinical investigator, Dr. Petti says: “It has been a privilege for me to be part of a clinical trial that offers women hope to treat this condition that plagues women of all ages, skin and body types.”

About Christine Petti, MD, FACS

Dr. Christine Petti is a board-certified plastic surgeon who earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia after completing a research fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In the same year that Dr. Petti established her private practice, she also became Assistant Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Southern California. She has authored many scientific articles in plastic surgery and has given scientific presentations for numerous professional surgical associations. Her significant findings on tumescent liposuction were presented for the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. She is also an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Petti is a leading researcher in the treatment of cellulite with Cellulaze™ and played an integral role in the procedure’s FDA approval. She is available for interviews upon request.