No surgery's required and you can drop a dress size in one afternoon. No wonder SmartLipo is the hottest new procedure to hit these shores in a decade.
Personal trainer Alison Staines, 34 from Wiltshire, paid £2000 to be first in the queue to try it out. "Since having my two daughters in 1993 and 1995, I had a roll of stubborn fat hanging over my C-section scar that I just couldn't shift. I've never been thin exactly - I'm a healthy size 12 - 14 - but as a fitness instructor I am very fit. I run about 20 miles a week, work out with my personal training clients up to five hours a day and have done literally thousands of stomach-toning exercises - yet nothing could get rid of my post-baby podge."
"I've never considered conventional cosmetic surgery. The thought of having a general anaesthetic scars me. So, when my doctor - who I have seen for Botox and mole removal in the past - mentioned a revolutionary new procedure from Italy called SmartLipo, which claims to permanently and painlessly melt away your fat cells with a laser and only involves having a local anaesthetic, I was intrigued but sceptical."
"My doctor said it was ideal or people like me who, although not overweight, had stubborn areas of fat they couldn't get rid of through diet and exercise. He told me I could lose the one or two inches of fat from my stomach for food in the space of my lunch hour!"
"It sounded too good to be true but last week, six hours post 'surgery', I was at home making the kids' dinner as usual - no pain, no discomfort, nothing. The whole procedure took 30 minutes, after which I was sitting up I bed chatting to m doctor, having a cup of tea! And I was able to drive myself home. The only discomfort was a slight pulling sensation as the laser moved around under my skin. And the only giveaway that I'd had anything 'done' was the elasticated compression garment I'd have to wear for a week to help with any swelling and bruising - although I'm assured this will be significantly less that with traditional lipo. I've also got Steri-Strips, like plasters, protecting the two small nicks either side of my belly button made as the surgeon inserted the tiny laser (just 1mm wide), but they're invisible under my clothes so it's not a problem. I noticed a difference straight after the procedure: my pot belly looked markedly smaller, although the full extent of the results won't be visible for a couple of months (between two and four). This is because your body continues to process and naturally remove the melted fat cells that have been zapped by the lasers until there are none left. So whether you've got one inch of fat, or two inches like me, it will remove the lot."
"I needn't worry about loose skin either - a common effect with lipo. By allowing my body to rid itself of fat cells and contract back naturally, there's less likelihood of an uneven result or slack skin."
"I've seen pictures of the women who took part in the trials and none of them experienced any problems, so I hope I'll be as lucky. I'm really happy with the results so far. I think it'll convince many surgery-scared people, like me, to take the plunge. If losing stubborn fat during your lunch hour is this easy, painless and effective, then why not."
"IT TOOK JUST TWO MINUTES, AFTERWARDS I WAS SITTING UP AND HAVING A CUP OF TEA!"
'SmartLipo gives a more even result than normal lipo and you don't need a general anaesthetic,' says Dr Rupert Gabriel of Snowberry Lane Clinic, who performed Alison's procedure.
It's best on small areas: double chins, hamster cheeks, bingo wings, knees, saddlebags etc. - if you're not too overweight.
Bruising and swelling is kept to a minimum. You need a healthy, active lifestyle to maintain maximum benefits. Remember, no surgery is without risk. Read up on safety at www.dh.gov.uk/cosmeticsurgery beforehand and visit www.smartlipo.co.uk.
From £2,000 at Snowbeerry Lane, Wiltshire (01225 700072); Dr Hugo Kitchen, Stratford Upon Avon (01789 414289); Beautyworks West, London (020 7221 2248); and Giancey Medical Aesthetics, Essex (08709 458 5483).