At Chetco Medical & Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, we pride ourselves in helping our clients achieve complete confidence and satisfaction in their appearance. One of the most commonly sought treatments we offer is a revolutionary body sculpting technique, CoolSculpting. Today, we’re discussing how effective this treatment method is and answering some of the most frequently asked questions we get about this unique body contouring method.
How Well Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting, sometimes called cryolipolysis, is an incredibly effective fat removal technique. Specifically, you can expect each session to remove around a quarter of the adipose tissue stored in the treated area. However, it is important to note that precisely how much fat is removed per session depends on the size of the treatment area.
The smaller the treatment area is, the more fat is removed from the treatment area. For example, you can remove up to 80% of the adipose tissue stored in your underarms during a single fat removal session with this device.
How Convenient Is This Treatment?
This treatment is incredibly convenient. Depending on the size of the area you are removing fat from and how much excess adipose tissue is stored in the area, your treatment session may take anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour. However, if you are targeting several large areas for fat removal, your session may take a few hours. If you can’t take a few hours off from work for body sculpting, we are happy to schedule three separate sessions for you.
We are also commonly asked how this treatment compares to liposuction. Liposuction can remove 10 to 12 pounds of fat in a single one- to three-hour session. However, most sessions result in the removal of four to eight pounds of unwanted fat. Cryolipolysis can provide identical results. Keep in mind that there are several notable differences, including downtime, between cryolipolysis and liposuction.
How Much Downtime Is Required After Each Session?
There is no downtime required after a CoolSculpting session time. Contrastingly, liposuction requires a one- to two-week recovery period off from work and roughly six weeks of restricted activities.
Cryolipolysis is more convenient than liposuction because you are free to return to your usual routine as soon as your session is over. After you wake up from the general anesthesia after liposuction, you must be observed for a few hours before you can even go home. Additionally, you can’t drive within 24 hours of undergoing liposuction due to the sedation or general anesthesia used to keep you asleep during the procedure.
How Many Sessions Will I Need to Achieve My Desired Results?
If you are already satisfied with your weight, you will probably only need one treatment session to sculpt your desired contours. If you would like to lose around 29 pounds, you may need up to six sessions before you are satisfied with the results of your treatment.
The average person needs between two and four sessions for satisfactory results. We will assess your targeted areas during your initial consultation and tell you how many sessions you should schedule.
How Quickly Will I See the Results of This Treatment?
You only need to wait approximately four weeks to see the final results of cryolipolysis. While liposuction was the first FDA-approved fat removal technique, there are many downsides associated with the method. Another example of an advantage cryolipolysis has over liposuction is the former reveals the results of the fat removal far sooner than the latter.
You may think the results of liposuction would be apparent immediately because the fat is suctioned out of the targeted area during the procedure. However, as with other invasive cosmetic procedures, extensive swelling occurs after liposuction. Due to this swelling, it can easily take six to eight weeks to see the final results of liposuction. Depending on your health and lifestyle, you may even experience swelling for over two months after liposuction.
Can This Treatment Replace a Healthy Diet and Regular Exercise?
No, this treatment cannot replace a healthy diet and regular exercise. Regular exercise is required for the health of your joints, bones, muscles and organs. A healthy diet is required to support a strong immune system, regulate your mood and fuel your daily activities.
Is This a Weight-Loss Treatment?
No, cryolipolysis is not a weight-loss treatment. Weight loss is achieved by consuming fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight over a period of time. In other words, if you want to lose weight, you need to create a caloric deficit by eating less, moving more or combining the two techniques sustainably. Weight loss occurs when the body uses stored glycogen and fat for fuel rather than the calories provided by your diet.
Fat removal occurs when fat cells are destroyed using a medical tool and your lymphatic system flushes out the dead cells. Also, note this treatment is not recommended for obese individuals. If you’re within 30 pounds of your ideal weight, you may be considered a good candidate for this treatment. However, the best candidate for this treatment is no more than 10 to 15 pounds from his or her goal weight. The closer you are to your goal weight, the better your results.
Where Can This Treatment Remove Unwanted Fat From?
This innovative fat removal tool can get rid of unwanted fat from virtually anywhere. This tool is usually used to remove large volumes of unwanted fat from large areas, like the abdomen, lower back, middle back or chest. However, it can also be used to remove pesky fat from behind the knees, under the arms and under the chin. In fact, Allergan, the manufacturer of the original device, designed and manufactures a smaller version of the device.
The shape of this diminutive handheld device is a little different from the original device. This small difference makes targeting smaller regions of the body much more effective. Additionally, a new technique, DualSculpting, was invented. This technique involves the use of two devices operated simultaneously to provide symmetrical fat removal from your flanks, upper arms, buttocks or thighs in half the time it took before the invention of the technique.
Will This Treatment Hurt My Skin?
No, cryolipolysis does not affect your skin in any way. Your skin tissues, just like your muscle tissues, comprise water-based cells. Fat cells are made up of different molecules that freeze at approximately 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the targeted area only needs to be cooled to 42 degrees for fat cell death to occur. Since water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you don’t have to worry about your skin or muscle tissues freezing.
Additionally, you won’t experience any discomfort during this treatment. The device cools your skin gradually so you won’t notice the “freezing” taking place. When your skin gets cold enough, it will become numb so you won’t feel anything at all. Another major advantage this treatment has over liposuction is there is no need for any type of anesthetic, including a topical anesthetic. This saves you time and money.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
As mentioned above, a good candidate for this treatment is within 30 pounds of his or her goal weight. However, there are other factors besides weight we must consider to determine if someone is a good fit for cryolipolysis. For example, we must take your medical history into consideration. If you suffer from a medical condition, like Raynaud’s disease, that makes you sensitive to cold temperatures, you will be considered a poor candidate.
We also need to know about all of the medications you are currently taking or have taken recently. It is advisable to avoid taking NSAIDs or other blood-thinning drugs and supplements for a few days before your treatment session. Additionally, we will assess the targeted areas and discuss your aesthetic goals. Finally, we will let you know how many sessions you will need to achieve your ideal contours and let you know what results you can expect.
Can I Receive This Treatment if I Plan to Become Pregnant?
Yes, you can safely become pregnant after you have received this treatment. However, we recommend not starting your course of treatments while you are trying to become pregnant. In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved this treatment for most healthy adults. However, there were caveats. For example, this treatment was not approved for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Clinical trials have not been conducted on such women so the FDA had no data from which to draw a conclusion regarding safety or efficacy. We also urge you to consider when you plan to add another member to your family. If you are going to start trying to become pregnant in the next six months, you may want to hold off on cryolipolysis until you have finished breastfeeding the new addition to your family.
How Should I Prepare for This Treatment?
If we determine during your initial consultation you will benefit from this treatment, we will give you guidelines to follow in preparation for your treatment session. Some of your instructions may be tailored to your unique health and lifestyle. However, other instructions, like drinking plenty of water before your treatment, are universal. Here are some of the things you should do to prepare for your treatment:
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Minimize caffeine consumption
- Eat or bring a snack
- Bring a book to read during your comfortable body sculpting session
Try Body Contouring for Yourself
Make wardrobe woes a distant memory with just a few convenient CoolSculpting sessions. To get started, contact us now at Chetco Medical & Aesthetics in Brookings, OR to schedule your initial consultation. We’ll assess your problem areas and talk to you about how well you should expect this game-changing treatment to work for you.