There is good news for people who want to lose weight in specific body areas. The BellaContour device has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States for enhancing muscular blood flow and reducing joint pain and reducing cellulite. Shapes Body Contouring, owned by Dr. Robin Owen, is the first in America to have the new device.

Product Highlights
a. Developed for aesthetic treatment, this device provides treatment with a unique, non-invasive patented dual frequency ultrasound therapy and muscle stimulator system.
b. It is a combination of a Dual Program Mode and Real Time Resonance Technology together with an electrode system.
c. This technology enables treatment on the various layers of the body’s skin.
d. The resulting micro-massage action accelerates of blood flow which results in improvement in the structure and appearance of the layers of the skin and its tissue.
e. It is comfortable and has no known side effects.
f. It can easily be operated by non-medical personnel.
g. It not only improves body contour but also helps in joint pain, improves skin quality and complexion, reduces appearance of stretch marks and helps in reabsorption and drainage of edema.
h. It is ideal for the stomach, upper arms, buttocks and thighs.
i. It can be used on both men and women.
j. But it is not a substitute for diet and exercise, rather it accelerates weight loss when combined with food and diet.
k. However, the treatments are not covered by insurance.

Cost
$2,500 for a package of 10 procedures

Obesity often calls for drastic measures. People who need to or want to lose weight are always on the lookout for the most effective device or procedure that will help them realize their dreams of losing weight. Now there is a device in the market that promises to help people lose weight in a sensitive manner. The Ki Performance family in collaboration with its strategic US partner BodyMedia Inc. has come out with the GoWear fit armband in a bid to help people set realistic targets and motivate them.

Product Highlights
a. This is a sensory armband that can be strapped on to the tricep.
b. Sensors in the armband measure motion, flux in body temperature, skin temperature and galvanic skin response.
c. Using algorithms it then analyses what kind of exercise one is getting and how strenuous it is.
d. This device gives an accurate picture of total calorie usage.
e. This is a "lifestyle management system".
f. It has a display meter that can be clipped to a belt or on a wristband.
g. For a monthly subscription, one can upload this data, via the armband, onto an online "activity manager" account.
h. The data and progress over time is recommended by this activity manager.
i. It even makes recommendations about sleep efficiency and fitness levels.
j. One can also log meals here.
k. It shows the relationship between energy from food and energy that is burned though being active.
l. It is ideal for people whop are not motivated, not very athletic now disciplined.

Cost.
http://www.gowearfit.com/ is offering GoWear fit gear and is offering the GoWear fit Armband + Display + 12 month subscription commitment for $249.90

The state of California has a new law in place to check un-authorized cosmetic surgeries and prohibits cosmetic surgery on patients without a written clearance from a licensed physician and surgeon. In a surprise move, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger went back on his earlier stand and signed the Donda West Law, named after the mother of rap artist Kanye West, who died from complications after she underwent cosmetic surgery without first checking out whether surgery was compatible with her coronary-artery disease.

Highlights of the newly signed law
a. This law makes it mandatory for patients to get health checks before undergoing cosmetic surgery.
b. This bill AB 1116 was written in 2007 in response to the death of Kanye West's mother, Schwarzenegger had initially vetoed the first pass of the bill in February 2008.
c. It was resubmitted in February 2008.
d. Donda, 58, died of complications related to cosmetic surgery.
e. It is believed that a pre-op physical exam would have uncovered coronary artery disease.
f. This coronary disease and postoperative factors are believed to have contributed to her death.
g. Dr. West's niece, Yolanda Anderson, was one of the primary movers behind the bill, which also requires a mandatory written clearance before surgery.

Read the entire Donda West Bill/Law here

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals a biotechnology company based out of California, has announced the first-in-human trial their light-activated facial contouring agent ATX-104. The biotechnology company started by ex employees of Amgen has about $40 Million in funding and is primarily working on 3 products to target the aesthetic medicine market. ATX-104 is a novel, light-activated dermal filler based on hyaluronic acid and Kythera’s proprietary photochemistry platform. The proof-of-concept study that will evaluate the safety, tolerability, persistence and histological effects of ATX-104.

Highlights of ATX-104
a. This is a light-activated facial contouring agent.
b. It is based on KYTHERA’s proprietary photochemistry platform co-developed with Johns Hopkins University.
c. It can be injected, shaped and polymerized transdermally through an external light source.
d. This technology enables the creation of additional cross-linking density of ATX-104 after injection into the dermis.
e. This special feature is being studied by scientists to enable the maintenance of optimal pre-injection mechanics of filler while dramatically improving its persistence and contouring properties.
f. This proprietary technology has demonstrated its ability to improve a variety of commercially available dermal fillers in pre-clinical models.

Ulthera Inc a therapeutic ultrasound medical device company has received FDA clearence for their new ultrasound eyebrow lift device, the Ulthera System, for use by doctors. Clinical studies for this revolutionary system showed that it has no adverse effects and hardly any downtime. The company uses the foundation of ultrasound technology to allow physicians to see below the patients skin and use ultrasound energy optimally to tighten skin. The FDA approval has come after a 5 year clinical study on patients, who have had no serious side effects from the procedure and had very little recuperation time. For information on doctors offering this skin tightening procedure visit http://www.ulthera.com or email: info@ulthera.com

Ulthera™ System Highlights
a. This is a non-invasive device configured with a control unit that has a touch screen, the DeepSEE transducers and a handpiece that enables the transducers to deliver ultrasound energy.
b. It uses the proprietary DeepSEE technology that allows physicians to see and treat deep below the skin without surgery.
c. It uses ultrasound imaging to target ultrasound energy that enables significant lifting of the skin.
d. This focused ultrasound energy triggers the body's natural healing response and induces collagen growth and gradual firming, tightening, and actual lifting of skin tissue over time.
e. It results in less hooding and laxity of the eyelid skin and a more open look around the eyes.
f. Results are consistent and significant.
g. Other areas of the face also exhibit firmer and tighter skin following treatment.
h. The entire procedure takes 30 minutes.