Everything You Need to Know about Coolsculpting^®

CoolSculpting^® is an FDA-cleared non-surgical procedure to eliminate stubborn fat from targeted problem areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and others. While this procedure is not intended to be a weight loss tool for people who are more than about 25 pounds above their goal weight, CoolSculpting^® can be a fantastic solution for people who are reasonably fit but have a few stubborn fat “bulges” and do not want to undergo liposuction.

CoolSculpting^® is a non-invasive procedure that is performed on top of the skin. Fat cells are cooled, almost frozen, so that they shrink and break down. Fat and water cells (like skin and muscle) respond differently to cold. The optimum cool temperature is achieved within a few minutes of beginning the treatment and, at that ideal temperature, the fat cells are “frozen” but the water cells are not. So, only the fat cells should be affected by this special treatment, leaving other cells unharmed and unaffected by the treatment process. Anywhere from 20% to 30% of the targeted fat cells should “freeze” and break down to later be eliminated from the body through natural metabolic processes.

This cosmetic procedure is virtually painless, but the suction of the applicator may cause a little initial discomfort for some people. Once the target area is super-cooled, it usually becomes numb, and most people read or watch TV for the rest of the treatment. The procedure usually takes about one hour to complete, depending on your unique needs and goals. After the CoolSculpting^® applicator is placed on the target area, the tissue is drawn up between the cooling panels, which cool the tissue to just above freezing. This effectively damages the fat cells so your body can naturally eliminate them.

For most patients, there is no downtime after their CoolSculpting^® treatment. Most people go on normally with their day, returning to work or other activities. There is typically little-to-no pain after the procedure; however, if there is discomfort, it typically lasts for less than a day or two. The most common side effects reported include redness, tenderness, minor swelling, and surface bruising or numbness of the area involved in the treatment.

CoolSculpting^® results may be seen in just a few weeks; however, the best results will not be noticeable for about two months. Because the removal of the damaged fat cells is a natural process, it will usually take your body several weeks to allow the fat cells to break down and be processed out. Although some people achieve their desired results with just one CoolSculpting^® procedure, most people need at least two sessions on each affected area. With that in mind, our practice now offers DualSculpting™, which utilizes two CoolSculpting^® units to freeze away fat in multiple areas during the same treatment session.

For those who maintain their weight and stick with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, CoolSculpting^® results should last indefinitely. The targeted fat cells are destroyed and eliminated from the body, so they are gone for good – in other words: “Bye-bye bulges!”

For more information on CoolSculpting^® from our experienced team here at Pinsky Plastic Surgery, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.