Stubborn body fat that is not affected by diet and exercise can be a frustrating burden for many individuals.
Many people have areas of stubborn fat that just doesn’t improve with diet and exercise. While surgical approaches to contour the body are highly effective, surgery with its downtime and recovery process is sometimes just not an appealing option. Well, now there is a non-surgical option to address those problem areas without surgery!
How It Works
Cryolipolysis is the technology behind CoolSculpting®. It is a safe and effective, FDA-cleared procedure that uses controlled cooling to target fat cells under the skin. Since fat is more sensitive to cold temperatures than other types of tissue (skin, muscle, nerve, blood vessels), the cold damages the fat while leaving the other tissues uninjured. Over a period of 3 days after treatment, fat cells in the treated area die. These dead fat cells are naturally processed and permanently removed by the body over a period of about 3 months. The treated area gradually shrinks over that period of time.
The procedure is done in the office without the need for anesthesia. At the beginning of the CoolSculpting® procedure, you may feel a pulling sensation then intense cold, which typically subsides after about 5 minutes. During treatment, you can read, watch television, or take a nap if you like! There are also no restrictions after treatment, so you can return to work and your normal activities immediately after your procedure. There may be some temporary numbness, bruising, or swelling of the area, which is typically very well tolerated by patients.
How Effective Is It?
Each CoolSculpting® treatment decreases the number of fat cells in the area by approximately 20%. While one treatment can provide significant results, additional treatment sessions in the same area may further enhance your results.
Where Can CoolSculpting® be Used and How Do I Start?
During your consultation, we create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your areas of concern. The most common areas treated with CoolSculpting® include the abdomen, hips (love handles), flanks, thighs, arms, and neck. Many patients choose to have more than one area treated.
CoolSculpting® vs Liposuction
CoolSculpting® and liposuction both permanently remove fat cells from under the skin and each has its pros and cons. CoolSculpting® has the benefit of being non-surgical with no need for anesthesia, incisions, downtime, or specialized garments worn afterwards. Liposuction has benefits too, as the results can be more dramatic and immediate but does require surgery, anesthesia, garments afterwards, and usually a week or so off of work. We work with patients to help them decide which option best meets their goals and priorities.
CoolSculpting® vs Diet and Exercise
CoolSculpting® is not an alternative to proper diet and exercise, but rather a complimentary procedure to help reshape your proportions and address a stubborn problem area. Weight loss does not typically change a body’s proportions, so many people find that regardless of their weight, one area still looks larger than the rest of their body. Exercise cannot be used to target the area in which you’d like to reduce fat, though it obviously can help tone muscles and has other health benefits. CoolSculpting® permanently removes fat cells from a problem area and can be a wonderful addition to the improvements that you can make on your own at the gym!
Expert Care
As a CoolSculpting® Certified practice, we have the expertise to offer our patients this non-surgical option for fat reduction. One additional benefit to our patients is that Dr. Peters is a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in the surgical options for fat reduction such as liposuction, tummy tuck, arm lift, etc. When you’re evaluated by our staff, we will give you a broad range of options for treatment including CoolSculpting®, if appropriate, to help you reach your goals.
Book A Consultation
Schedule your initial consultation to get started.