HEALTH & WELLNESS
SELECT YOUR BEST BET
FOR A COOL NEW YOU
I always encourage a healthy diet,
regular exercise and good habits for my
family practice patients. However, for
some people, getting on track with their
weight can also cause some unexpected
results. Some people discover that
stubborn fat will disappear from some
areas, but linger in others, such as the
love handles, saddlebags or under the
chin. If you want to destroy fat for good,
CoolSculpting can help in as little as 35
minutes. It’s the world’s number one
noninvasive body sculpting procedure
with more than seven million procedures
performed to date.
The procedure was developed by two
Harvard physicians who had roles in the
invention of Fraxel and laser hair removal
technology. CoolSculpting requires no
surgery, no anesthesia, no knives, and
most importantly, no downtime. It has
been FDA-cleared since 2010 and can
treat love handles, belly fat, inner and
outer thighs, back fat, bra fat and those stubborn lumps and
bumps. We’ve also seen excellent results for upper arm fat and
for male breasts. CoolSculpting applicators attach to fatty areas
with vacuum suction. Proprietary cooling plates are activated,
and after a few minutes the area goes completely numb. After
35-60 minutes (depending on the area treated), the applicator
is removed and the area is massaged for two minutes. Patients
typically relax and watch movies during the procedure and can
return to their normal routine afterwards. The body naturally
processes the fat and eliminates the affected cells from the body
over the next 12 weeks.
The results are lasting. You are born with a finite number of fat
cells. They do not divide after adolescence. If you can squeeze
it, we can freeze it and permanently destroy an area of fat.
Consultations are always complimentary. For more information,
call (727) 595-3400, or visit purelifemedispa.com. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. G. Joseph Fitzgerald, DO, MT (ASCP),
owner and medical director of PureLife Medi-Spa, has been
practicing family medicine for more than 20 years. Dr. Fitzgerald is
also a medical technologist, and was awarded a U.S. patent in 2013
for colon cancer prevention.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 95
If you look in the mirror and you
don’t like to see the effects of time,
gravity and aging, you are not alone.
Despite our best efforts to maintain
a healthy lifestyle, it’s inevitable that
entropy eventually changes us all. As we
start a new year, most of us are ready to
make personal and professional changes.
If you are thinking about improving
your appearance in 2020, here are two
nonsurgical solutions for your body that
can dramatically enhance your look and
your confidence. Yes, no more hiding in
baggy clothes or avoiding having your
picture taken. There’s nothing better than
reviving your spirit when you like what
you see in the mirror. Since introducing
these procedures, thousands of patients
have loved the results of these simple,
in-office treatments.
The PDO Thread Lift is a procedure
that rejuvenates, regenerates and
improves the structure of the face in
a similar way to a surgical facelift, but without the need for
surgery. The PDO Thread Lift uses specialized threads that are
introduced into the skin with a very fine needle to lift tissue and
muscle and improve skin texture. The threads can be used all
around the face and neck and are extremely versatile. They can
be used to treat vertical and horizontal wrinkles on the forehead,
sagging brows, drooping cheeks, pronounced nasolabial (nose to
mouth) and marionette (corner of mouth to chin) folds, sagging
jawline and neck folds and wrinkles on the chin. The threads are
made of soluble PDO (polydioxanone), a material that has been
used in pediatric heart surgery for more than 20 years. They are
one of the safest materials that can be implanted in the body.
Research has shown that PDO Threads, a Botox opposite,
stimulates the production of new collagen in the skin. It also
stimulates the synthesis of elastin and hyaluronic acid, both of
which are vital for keeping the skin looking plump and youthful.
Improvement is gradual, with the best results seen over the next
few months, as the skin builds new collagen.
The PDO threads will give the skin an immediate, natural
improvement in appearance. After about 10-14 days, the process
of natural body protein synthesis begins and continues over a
period of two years, keeping the texture of the skin smooth and
supple. My patients love to look years younger, without surgery.
PureLife Medi-Spa Wellness & Skincare
12442 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.595.3400
www.PureLifeMediSpa.com
Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald
Medical Director/Creator PureLife Medi-Spa
B. LIVELY IMAGES
Fitz Tropics Family Care
12464 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.596.5446
www.fitztropicsfamilycare.com
By Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald