The Secret Behind CoolSculpting
Attractive young couple refreshing in outdoor pool at summertime
CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved, non-surgical fat reduction treatment. This tailored procedure targets areas of stubborn fat that will not go away with diet or exercise.
CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss procedure. It's a fat-reduction procedure for patients who are at or close to their ideal weight. CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells beneath the skin in a gentle and controlled manner using specific applicators placed over areas of pinchable fat.
These frozen cells then die and leave the body through the lymphatic system. CoolSculpting differs from liposuction in that the results are seen in 3 to 6 months due to the gradual death of fat cells.
Liposuction patients typically see results within 6 to 12 weeks since fat cells are physically removed during surgery. Areas that can be treated include the waistline (muffin top), love handles, inner and outer thighs, belly fat, men’s pectoral area (man boobs), upper arms, double chin, the tops of the knees, bra fat and back fat.
CoolSculpting treatments are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, and the time for treatment is dependent on the number of areas treated at once and the number of treatment cycles administered. Treatment cycle time lasts 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the area treated. Most patients need at least two treatment appointments to get noticeable results and often more if more fat needs to be targeted.
Because cold is a natural anesthetic, no topical or local anesthesia is required. As the area is treated, the skin gets very cold, much like dipping your hand into ice-cold water. After a few minutes, the area becomes numb. After the procedure, the frozen fat is gently massaged manually. Or at Southlake Plastic Surgery, the Z-wave procedure is used, which more evenly massages the fat and helps to speed up fat cell death. After the procedure, patients can return to work, the gym, etc. with literally no downtime. The most common side effects are numbness in the area, sensitivity to touch, tenderness or slight bruising for up to a week.
Many patients ask if fat cells can return to the area after CoolSculpting. The answer is no. Once the cells are gone, they are gone, which is the same with liposuction surgery. The number of fat cells in the body is fairly set by adolescence.
After fat cells are eliminated, a patient will have less opportunity to store lipids in the area where CoolSculpting has been done. With weight loss or gain, the lipid volume in the remaining cells increases or decreases, but the number of fat cells remains the same. In other words, the remaining fat cells increase or decrease in size depending on weight gain or loss.
All of Southlake Plastic Surgery & Med Spa’s CoolSculpting providers are certified and have received advanced training to provide the most current and research-proven methods for maximum results. For more information on CoolSculpting visit SouthlakePlasticSurgery.com/Coolsculpting-in-Southlake. Text or call 817.442.8900 for your consultation today.
