coolsculpting facts

What is Coolsculpting?

CoolSculpting was first approved by the FDA in 2010 and gained attention when it was rebranded from minor spot treatment to a noninvasive alternative to liposuction, promising to eviscerate Abdominal fat, love handles and bra bulge with the wave of a cooling paddle. 

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How does it work?

After assessing the areas of concern, the CoolSculpting applicator is applied to one area of unwanted localized fat at a time. This typically involves one or more of the following areas: abdomen, hips, bra-fat, inner/outer thighs, chin, knee. Using vacuum suction, the device gently draws the tissue with unwanted fat into a chamber. Controlled cooling is then delivered to the treatment area until the fat cells crystalize or undergo “cryolypolysis” (cell death) due to the freezing.  This is happening while the surrounding tissue is unharmed. Approximately 25% - 30% of the exposed fat cells will be permanently destroyed, for a significant body contouring improvement.

 

Is Coolsculpting painful?

There is some mild, temporary discomfort due to the initiation of strong suction and extreme cold. You may experience sensations of pulling, mild pinching, tingling, stinging or cramping. However, as the temperature falls, there is a numbing effect and most patients sit comfortably during the treatment reading, watching television, or even napping. Immediately after removing the applicator, there will be some discomfort as the clinician performs a 2-minute massage.  You may also experience some hypersensitivity of the skin in the treated area post-treatment, but this general disappears in several days. Patients can return to normal activities immediately post-treatment.

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Will the fat come back?

The total number of fat cells in your body will remain the same once you reach adulthood. Fat cells do not regenerate if damaged to a certain point.  Fat cells will get bigger or smaller as you gain or lose weight, but the number of cells remains the same. CoolSculpting destroys fat cells in the treated area, and they are eliminated for good. So, it reduces the total number of fat cells you have in your body.  Having said that, you must remember that there are fat cells left behind that can expand if you gain weight, so we recommend that you continue with a healthy lifestyle. 

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Are there any side effects?

Following treatment, you may experience mild redness, bruising, swelling or numbness in the treated area. This should resolve within a few weeks after treatment. The fat cell death is a small enough volume that your body breaks down the free fatty acids and triglycerides into harmless energy substrates, so there is no risk of elevated harmful lipids, heart disease or atherosclerosis as a result of CoolSculpting treatment.

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Will I lose weight?

CoolSculpting is a contouring or sculpting procedure that modifies the distribution of fat cells to change the shape of your body. Results are not related to weight and CoolSculpting is not a weight loss solution. It is a tool to eliminate diet and exercise resistant fat pockets. The closer you are to your ideal body weight, the more you will see your CoolSculpting results. We recommend a healthy lifestyle that includes proper diet and exercise to augment and support your CoolSculpting results. Weight is monitored during your treatment cycle to ensure that patient weight gain is not impairing results.

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How much does it cost?

Every patient has a unique treatment plan based on their body’s distribution of fat and their desired results. A personalized plan, including cost, will be developed for you at a private consultation appointment where you will receive a full-body assessment and any further questions will be answered. Most treatment plans for a particular area fall between $1,000 and $4,000. We offer financing options, that allow for easy monthly payments, if desired (must qualify for financing).