What to Expect When You Get A CoolSculpting Treatment
February 16, 2017
Even with diet and exercise, we sometimes hold pockets of stubborn fat that just won’t seem to go away. If you have been wishing that you could get rid of that lower-belly pooch, those love-handles or that unsightly double chin, CoolSculpting may be the solution for you.
CoolSculpting is the most popular, completely non-invasive treatment for eliminating unwanted fat. The science behind CoolSculpting originated when an observant dermatologist at Harvard, Rox Anderson, noticed that children who suck on popsicles developed a hollowing of the cheek because a little fat pocket would shrink. He soon discovered that freezing of fat cells causes them to die. From this he developed the system of CoolSculpting, which applies cold temperature across the skin surface, resulting in a freezing of the fat. The fat then dies and is metabolized by the body. With each treatment approximately 25% of the stubborn pocket of fat is removed. With enough treatments, dramatic results can be obtained.
For those who are looking to lose a significant amount of weight, liposuction or another type of weight loss procedure may be more beneficial. CoolSculpting is for individuals who are relatively close to their ideal body weight and are hoping to slim down stubborn areas of fat that just won’t go away with diet and exercise.
Preparation
Because CoolSculpting is a quick, non-invasive procedure, there isn’t a whole lot you need to do to prepare. You should stop taking any blood thinners or medications than might worsen bruising. This includes but is not limited to: aspirin, other anti-inflammatories such as Motrin, Advil and Aleve, and fish oil.
For the day of the treatment, wear loose, comfortable clothing.
You are more than welcome to eat before the procedure, but we recommend a light meal.
The CoolSculpting Treatment
The duration of the treatment depends on the size and number of areas that are being treated. Most treatments can be performed in 35 minutes, which is barely enough time to check your email! You may experience sensations of tingling, pressure or pinching when the treatment begins, but these will subside after the first ten minutes.
After the treatment is complete, you may find that the area feels firm and stiff. You may notice some redness and swelling. Over the next hour or two, normal color and sensation will return to the area. You may feel some itchiness, which is entirely normal.
For a few weeks following the treatment, you may have some mild symptoms that include numbness in the area, swelling or occasional cramping. This can be treated with Motrin and will not be a long term problem.
CoolSculpting Results
As your body begins to naturally eliminate the dead fat cells, you’ll notice the fat in the treated area begin to diminish. After about two months, you will see significant results. The treated area will slim down and you will be able to experience the beautiful results of your CoolSculpting treatment.
CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure, but is an effective solution for eliminating fat. If you want to slim an area down or have stubborn fat that makes you feel anything less than confident and sexy, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahn to see how you can see significant results with CoolSculpting.