Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- It's no secret that lasers have worked miracles in the world of medicine, but now they're gaining popularity in the weight loss field.
One such laser is called the Lapex 2,000. Approved by the FDA in 2009 this piece of equipment claims to melt inches off your waist in just a few treatments. Barton Chiropractic in Northeast Columbia just acquired this device four months ago and already have had hundreds of patients sign up.
Doctor Barton described to News 19's Nat Roers how the laser works- "The energy from the laser penetrates the skin, goes into the fat cells, and causes the fat cells to open up, which is the same thing that happens when you exercise, but instead of exercise- the laser does it for you."
According to Doctor Barton, from there the fat and water spill out, get into the lymphatic system, and are sent to your liver where everything is converted into blood sugar.
He says, "That's where we'd like you to go exercise if you can to burn that blood sugar which is just the normal metabolic pathway."
Jan Bigg who administers the laser treatments says that although post treatment workouts aren't exactly necessary they do contribute to your weight loss. " We've seen really great results. I mean we want people to do what they're supposed to do so they can get the best possible results."
The results they've seen in their office seem almost too good to be true- six inches off the waist in a week, which they say they've seen a number of times, with an average weight loss of about a couple of inches a week.
The only thing patients are asked to do during this time is to eat well, work out, and drink lots of water. News 19's Nat Roers already works out and eats well and decided to try the laser without altering her already healthy lifestyle- she says she was astounded by the results.
"I'm a journalist and a realist, I'm a skeptic by nature." She says. "But I can't explain how I lost so much weight so quickly."
After 5 treatments over two weeks, Nat lost three pounds, two inches off her lower stomach, and inch and a half off her middle stomach, and a half an inch off the top of her stomach.
"I can't guarantee it will work for everyone," Nat says. "And of course I think diet and exercise are what we should really focus on in the battle of the bulge, but if that's not working for you- I don't know, they might be onto something here."
There are no known side effects for the Lapex 2,000, but people who are pregnant, use a pacemaker, or have cancer are not able to sign up for the treatment.
Patients can sign up for one session, or as many sessions as they'd like, and a single session generally costs around $150.00.
To learn more, visit Barton Chiropractic's website.