Wait a minute…I just walk into the office, freeze a body area of my choosing and walk out about an hour later with less fat than I walked in with? Yes, please!
As much as it sounds too good to be true, the above scenario is played out thousands of times a day across the US. Thank you modern technology!
Coolsculpting® is a brand name for the process of literally freezing fat cells to death. This is done with a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that requires no incisions, no anesthesia, no recovery time and leaves no scarring.
Other attractive benefits include fewer risks and lower costs than typical surgery.
How Does Coolsculpting® Work?
So how does this too-good-to-be-true magic process work? Well, of course, it’s not magic. Coolsculpting® just makes use of the body’s own natural processes. When the fat cells die from the hour-long exposure to freezing temperatures, the body steps in and eliminates the dead fat cells naturally, just like it does with all the dead cells in your body.
This natural process can take three months or so to completely rid the body of the dead fat cells, so the best results from a Coolsculpting® treatment won’t be fully visible right away. Fortunately, once the body finally flushes out the fat cells, they won’t be back.
As the treatment begins, you may feel a bit of discomfort from the cold applicator, but that feeling goes away fairly quickly, and the area will just feel numb. During the process, some patients report a feeling of pulling or pinching, but overall, the process is not painful. Afterwards, a few minutes is spent massaging the cooled area.
There is typically little if any downtime needed, and most patients are able to return to normal activities immediately following treatment.
Is Coolsculpting® a Good Choice for Me?
When Coolsculpting® was first introduced, the applicator was fairly large, which limited the areas of the body on which it could effectively be used. Since then, much smaller applicators have been introduced, allowing fat removal from smaller areas such as a double chin, along the bra line and beneath the arms. It also works in other areas of the body to remove stubborn pockets of fat like saddlebags, muffin top, love handles and back fat.
If you’re a healthy adult and are at or close to your goal weight, chances are Coolsculpting® can help you get rid of those lingering fatty areas that exercise and proper diet don’t seem to affect.
It’s important to recognize Coolsculpting® is not a weight loss treatment. The procedure is best used by men or women who have been unable to eliminate certain areas of fat and want to give increased shape and definition to their body.
A Final Note about Coolsculpting®
As with any cosmetic treatment, Coolsculpting® does come with a few risks. You could be left with some skin surface irregularities. Your results may not be as dramatic as someone who had liposuction. You’ll want to have that conversation with your doctor before making your final decision.
But the general consensus of happy, satisfied clients is that Coolsculpting® is a painless, relatively quick and easy way to get rid of stubborn fat permanently.
