"Laser-assisted liposuction, introduced in 2007, is one of the newest liposuction techniques. The laser is deemed a safe by the FDA."

"This laser technology produces a burst of energy as it enters the fatty tissue that liquefies the fat. Similar to other techniques of liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction requires the use of tumescent solution prior to lipolysis, and standard liposuction to aspirate the liquefied fat."

"The laser energy is delivered by a thin laser fiber that is inserted through small incisions in the skin. In addition to breaking up fat cells, the laser energy also heats other tissues. Possible side effects include, but are not limited to, burns, swelling, bruising, numbness and bleeding."

"The only study that has scientifically compared this to standard liposuction has found no differences between these techniques in terms of the results."

- Excerpt taken from ASPS

With the surge in advertising for LipoDissove, many questions have been raised. LipoDissolve is an unproven medical treatment that is not endorsed by the ASPS. At this time, LipoDissolve or any other fat melting injections, have not undergone FDA trials and no proof or studies have been documented to substantiate the claims or advertised results.

Drinking water has it's benefits.

Water flushes out impurities in your skin, promoting a clear and glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.

"Healthy skin contains important components that keep it supple and young looking. One of these components is hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar found in all living cells that helps maintain skin volume by attracting and binding over 1000 times its weight in water. However, with time, sunlight and other factors, the hyaluronic acid in your skin diminishes, your skin loses volume, and lines and wrinkles appear."

"Now you can temporarily replace your skin's lost hyaluronic acid using Hylaform® (hylan B gel). Hyaluronic acid injections work by filling the space between collagen and elastin fibers within the skin, which replenishes the natural volume lost with aging. The body naturally absorbs the gel over time. Repeated injections of Hylaform may be needed to maintain results." - Read the FDA article on Hylaform®

After years trying everything to lose weight, together the Hands underwent gastric bypass surgery -- choosing to have their intestines rerouted and their stomachs reduced to the size of an egg. For nearly two years, the Hands have followed a strict regimen of vitamins and protein powder and support groups that have enabled them to stay healthy while losing 500 pounds together.

Sean has lost 253 pounds. And at 6 feet 4 inches tall, now weighs 222. Danyel is in the same boat. At 5 feet 6 inches, she went from 380 to 155 pounds -- a loss of 225 pounds.

But now, with all that weight gone, Sean and Danyel faced an uncomfortable, embarrassing remnant of their weight loss surgery.

There's a lot of attention, lot of media on people who are undergoing the bypass surgery, but there is very little said about what happens at the end of it," Sean said.

Like a rubber band stretched too far, Sean and Dani were dealing with excess skin all over their bodies.

"What they both need, and what everybody has when they lose a lot of weight, is a tremendous amount of extra skin," said Dr. Gavin Dry. "The fat is primarily gone and shrunken down, but the skin remains because it cannot shrink down."

Dr. Dry says helping the Hands with the final step of their transformation is tremendously rewarding.

"You're taking people who have had an incredible desire to live. They have decided that their obesity is not going to kill them," Dr. Dry said. "They have taken an immense step in their life to say, 'I am going to live, enjoy my life, and be here for my kids (and) for my loved ones.' "

But what's ahead would be far more complicated, and far more painful than anything they've done so far.

The surgery is long and complicated. Extra skin is removed from the stomach and sides, back, legs, and arms.

It's involves tucking and lifting and tightening muscles. And afterward, it hurts.

"You can imagine, if you're taking large areas of skin off and sewing things back together, they're moderately sore afterwards," Dr. Dry said.

Doctors removed over 22 pounds of extra skin and fat from Sean, and 20 pounds from Dani.

A fter weeks of recovery, there are still dozens of scars, but Sean and Dani say the pain and the scars are a small price to pay.

As weight-loss surgery becomes more popular, people are discovering some drawbacks.

Sure, they lose the pounds, but not necessarily the flab.

That has inspired the newest trend in plastic surgery – the body lift.

"I got up to 450 pounds before I decided I wanted to be around for my grandkids," said Cathie Hines.

The solution was weight-loss surgery. But then came the part nobody wants to talk about.

"People know what it's like to do the surgery, to lose the weight, what you're going to have to do to lose the weight. But there is the aspect of what are you going to look like afterwards," said Dr. Gavin Dry, plastic surgeon. Many patients end up with excess skin that just won't go away.

"I laugh and call myself a Sharpei puppy because there is so much skin," said Cathie.

She came to Kirkland doctor Gavin Dry for a body lift.

"I'm a little nervous going under the knife again, but I'm ready," she said.

During surgery, Dr. Dry removed 25 pounds of skin and fat.

A few weeks after surgery, Cathie still had some swelling, but she had now lost a total of 300 pounds.

Her own son couldn't believe the difference.

"It took me by surprise. One day I was looking at her and it was someone different," said Brian Hines.

Even Cathie was amazed.

"I thought it was going to look good, but it looks really good," she laughed.

Not all weight-loss surgery patients need the body lift procedure. It is pricey – about the same price as gastric bypass, and not covered by insurance. Plus there are risks.

Cathie says it was all worth it.