Patient FAQs

Fat cells are not just storage bins for excess calories. They are very active cells that produce a variety of substances that influence your body weight, how many calories you eat and how those calories are used as a source of energy. Health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer, can arise when these cells begin to secrete too much or too little of these substances.

You are born with a set number of fat cells. If you eat more calories than your body needs, your fat cells stretch to store these extra calories as triglycerides. You can gain new fat cells if the existing cells have enlarged to their maximum size.

Once created, fat cells remain in your body forever. They may shrink in size when you lose weight, but they never go away unless they are removed by Liposonix®, CoolSculpting® or liposuction.

The affected fat cells cannot come back. However, if you overeat and/or underexercise you can gain weight, and all body areas will share in the weight gain. However, after CoolSculpting, the treated areas have a decreased capacity for additional fat because fat cells in those areas have been eliminated. As a result, weight gain after CoolSculpting is more likely to be visible in areas where more fat cells exist.   We use crude measurements including photographs and circumference measurements to evaluate outcomes for each CoolSculpting patient.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle — a healthy diet and exercise program.

Extra calories will be stored mostly as fat regardless of whether the extra calories come from fats, carbohydrates or proteins.

During the CoolSculpting treatment, a non-invasive applicator is applied to the skin surface to deliver precisely controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells in specific areas of the body. As they are exposed to cooling, the fat cells begin a process of natural cell removal. The fat cells in the treated area are gradually eliminated through the body’s normal metabolic processes, similarly to the way that fat from food is eliminated. The result is a reduction in fat bulges that is visible in most patients in about two to four months.

Throughout the hour-long treatment, tissue is drawn into a cup with mild vacuum pressure. Patients may experience slight discomfort with the initial contact of the cold, but this usually dissipates after the first 10 minutes or so. Most patients typically resume their routine activities, including returning to work and exercise regimens, on the same day as the treatment. With this non-invasive treatment, there is no needle, no incision and no need for anesthesia. For the patient, the CoolSculpting process doesn’t require any effort. Patients typically read, work on their laptop computers, listen to music or just relax while undergoing treatment.

The best candidate for CoolSculpting is someone who is in reasonably good shape, but has modest areas of fat bulges. The treatment is not meant to replace healthy eating or exercise. This is not a method to achieve significant weight loss. If you would like to know whether this treatment is right for you, contact us to schedule a free consultation at (512) 402-6694.

No, lap band surgery can be performed on patients who have previously had CoolSculpting treatment.

No, CoolSculpting only works on subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat is fat that is attached to the skin and typically visible to the naked eye.  CoolSculpting can only grab subcutaneous fat.  Visceral fat is deeper and surrounds the organs in the lower body such as the thighs, buttocks and belly.  CoolSculpting is not effective for visceral fat removal.

Weight loss shrinks fat cells and normalizes their secretions, which can reverse or prevent many of the health conditions associated with obesity. Weight loss helps reduce the size of fat cells while weight gain increases the size of fat cells and may cause new fat cells to develop.  One good approach would be to achieve your ideal weight through diet and exercise before having CoolSculpting performed.

If we treat one area on each arm, that would count as two treatment areas. Learn more about losing weight through visiting our CoolSculpting section here, or contact us today at (512) 402-6694 to schedule your consultation.

Spider veins are small, dilated veins near the surface of the skin. A varicose vein is a larger, bulging vein.

The most common predisposing factors in the development of varicose veins are heredity, pregnancy and hormones. Minor factors include prolonged standing, leg injury, sedentary lifestyle, obesity and hot weather.

During your first visit, Dr. Zimmet will assess your medical history and examine your veins. This is all that is required in most patients with spider veins. After your vein evaluation, Dr. Zimmet will recommend the treatment that would be most appropriate for you.

For patients with varicose veins — and in some with spider veins — a painless ultrasound evaluation is done to determine if there in an underlying vein in your leg that is causing what is visible on the surface. After this evaluation, Dr. Zimmet will be able to discuss the treatment options appropriate for your condition.

There are alternative treatments to stripping that have comparable or better results and can be provided in-office without general anesthesia or incisions. Vein stripping can be avoided in just about all patients, even those with advanced cases of varicose veins.

No matter whom you choose to see, we highly recommend that you ask about their experience and training in treating vein problems. For example, many vascular or general surgeons have had years of “vascular” experience, but this is often in treating arterial issues — not vein problems. One has little to do with the other.

Dr. Zimmet has treated thousands of patients for vein issues over the last 20 years. He is a leading and internationally recognized authority in the treatment of spider and varicose veins. For more details, please review Dr. Zimmet’s background.

Vein treatments work very well in most patients. However, no available treatment for spider and varicose veins is successful 100 percent of the time. Treatment does not change the genetic makeup of your veins and your predisposition to forming these kinds of veins. Periodic maintenance treatments may be necessary to keep your legs in the best condition.

Dr. Zimmet believes that laser treatment is a good choice for facial vein treatment. However, laser treatment for leg veins is usually more expensive, more painful and less effective than well-executed sclerotherapy for leg veins.

Treatment for hand veins is available. Dr. Zimmet most often recommends sclerotherapy; however a specific recommendation can only be made after consultation. For more details about the vein treatments we offer, visit our Vein Treatments section, or contact us today at (512) 402-6694 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Zimmet.

Modern technology has brought treatments for a variety of skin and aging conditions that are easy to undergo and require minimal to no downtime. Conditions that can be treated using these new techniques include sun damage, telangiectasias (broken veins), freckling and pigmentation problems, rosacea, sagging skin, wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines and other common skin problems.

They are purified proteins administered by injection via a tiny needle.  They can be used to treat and relax frown and other lines on the face. Botox and Dysport can also be an effective treatment for excessive sweating.

Dr. Zimmet has been providing skin care services for over 20 years, has been performing laser treatment for 17 years and administering Botox injections for over 12 years.

Non-surgical alternatives for skin tightening are available. Thermage and EndyMed Pro 3DEEP are treatments that help to tighten aging and sagging skin and can be used on the face, neck, eyelids, abdomen, hands and other body areas.

We offer microdermabrasion and three different chemical peels. All improve the appearance of the skin, can help with acne and improve the surface texture of your skin.

Our licensed aestheticians — who have years of experience — perform all skin peel procedures.

At Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, we only carry high quality skin care product lines like Skinceuticals, MD Solar Sciences, Teamine, Nectifirm and Elta MD. Our aesthetician will be happy to consult with you about your skin care regimen. For more details about the various skin-related treatments and products we offer, visit our Skin Treatments section. Or contact us today at (512) 402-6694 to schedule your consultation.

The face (excluding the eyebrows), neck, legs, arms, bikini and back (especially for men) are areas we commonly treat.

You will have a brief consultation before your first treatment. Your skin type and hair will be assessed, and the treatment will be discussed in detail before proceeding.

Due to the hair growth cycles, most patients need several treatments. We will give you an estimated number of treatments at the time of your consultation.

Most patients can be treated successfully. Patients with darker hair generally respond better than those with fine blonde or grey hair. We avoid treating individuals with very tanned or dark skin types due to a low success rate.

We use the Lumenis Lightsheer system, which works by emitting pulses of light into the hair follicles. Most patients show improvement using this device. Laser hair removal is an excellent alternative to shaving, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis or depilatory products.

For best results, we recommend not tweezing or waxing the target area for a month before your treatment. The hair needs to be in the hair follicle for the treatment to be effective. It’s important to avoid tanning of the area to be treated. For more details about the laser services we offer, visit our Laser Services section. Or contact us today at (512) 402-6694 to schedule your consultation.

Please call us at (512) 402-6694 and we will make every effort to schedule your appointment at a time that is convenient for you. You will receive a courtesy reminder call 48 hours prior to your appointment. We never overbook our patients, so you will never feel rushed during your appointment.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you ever need to cancel your appointment or if you anticipate a late arrival. To avoid being charged a cancellation fee, we require the following notice:

On your first visit, we will start your permanent record by asking you to complete a brief medical history and a registration form. Please try to arrive 15 minutes prior to your first appointment. You can also download New Patient Forms and complete them in advance.

Austin has many nearby, suitable accommodations. Please feel free to contact us with questions about where to stay while in Austin.