Even with the most diligent exercise routine and healthy diet, it can be hard to sculpt and tone stubborn pockets of fat that appear in the belly, hips, thighs, and chin. These problem areas only tend to get worse with age, but you don’t have to live with them.
CoolSculpting is a body shaping procedure that can finally address those hard to target areas without a single surgical incision. It delivers similar results to liposuction, but with less downtime and fewer treatment risks. So, you may be ready to schedule a consultation with your Tucson plastic surgeon to talk about whether CoolSculpting is right for you. Before your appointment, read through the FAQs below. These will inform you on what to expect from treatment as well as a little more about how it works.
Am I a candidate for CoolSculpting?
Only your plastic surgeon can make the final recommendation on whether CoolSculpting is right for you. However, you are likely a good candidate if you are within about 10 pounds of your ideal weight, and you are looking for specific, targeted treatment of stubborn pockets of fat. CoolSculpting is appropriate for both men and women. Ideal candidates for this procedure are non-smokers in relatively good overall health.
How many treatments will I need?
You may see your ideal results after just one treatment, but multiple sessions may be necessary for more significant fat deposits. After one treatment, you should see about 20-25% fat reduction in the treated areas.
Will CoolSculpting hurt?
Every patient is unique, but most report no more than mild discomfort during the CoolSculpting procedure. There may be a sensation of cold, which numbs within a few minutes. Following treatment, you might have some redness, swelling, or sensitivity in the treated areas, but these effects are temporary and often mild.
When will I see results?
CoolSculpting works by freezing fat cells, which kills the cells slowly before they reabsorb into the body. Therefore, results will take some time to develop. You may see changes about 1-3 weeks following your treatment, but full results can take up to 6 months to develop.
Where can CoolSculpting be used?
CoolSculpting is ideal for many of the areas of the body that tend to accumulate stubborn pockets of fat. FDA-approved treatment areas for CoolSculpting include the chin and jawline (double chin), thigh, abdomen and flank (belly and love handles), bra line, upper arm, and upper thigh just below the buttocks (banana roll).
What happens during treatment?
CoolSculpting treatment can be completed in as little as 35 minutes, and it is a generally easy process for patients. During treatment, an applicator is placed on the target area. Following a light sucking sensation, you may feel some cooling, pinching, or aching beneath the skin. Eventually, the area will become numb, allowing you to comfortably read, answer emails, or even take a nap.
What happens to the fat?
Unlike liposuction, where fat cells are removed from the body at the time of treatment, CoolSculpting relies on the body’s natural processes to dispose of fat cells. Once cells have become frozen, they will die and become absorbed into the body as scar tissue. Gradually, you will see problem areas shrink and become shapelier and more toned.
How long will results last?
Because CoolSculpting destroys fat cells, results can be incredibly long-lasting. However, you do need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen to prevent future weight gain. If you do put on weight following CoolSculpting, it will likely be distributed throughout your body, rather than only in the treated areas.
If you are ready to schedule a CoolSculpting consultation, contact Perfection Plastic Surgery and Skin Care for an appointment with Dr. Peter Kay. During the month of September, we are offering 10% off CoolSculpting quotes, so now is the time to call. You can reach us at (520) 323-7100.