Does Coolsculpting Really Work?
Apr 07, 2021
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Adrienne Stewart MD
Adrienne Stewart MD
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Are you experiencing difficulty with stubborn fat that won’t go away no matter how many salads you eat? Millions of Americans struggle with this exact problem––and the frustration it causes. The problem is often genetic, but that doesn’t mean that it’s hopeless! You can get rid of unwanted fat permanently with CoolSculpting Work, at Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO.
For many people, it’s difficult to believe that their stubborn fat can be eliminated for good. The truth is that this process is both effective and safe (it is an FDA-approved treatment.) The technology was developed by Harvard scientists, and it has helped millions of Americans achieve the bodies they really want. Four out of five patients say they would recommend the treatment to a friend or family member.
One of the reasons for its popularity is that it represents an enormous leap forward from liposuction, both in terms of convenience and in terms of its impact on the body. Liposuction can be a fairly exhausting experience for a patient. When you get CoolSculpting, you won’t have to spend hours or days recovering. You also won’t have to get painkiller shots or incision. It is completely non-invasive and non-surgical, but it also gets amazing results.
To understand why this revolutionary technology works so well, it’s important to realize that it works differently from eliminating fat through diet and exercise. A proper diet and exercise can decrease body fat, and it’s certainly a good idea to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But even when we burn fat with diet and exercise methods, the fat cell isn’t destroyed––it only shrinks.
When our bodies store body fat in one particular region, then it makes it that much harder to get rid of the fat permanently. Once a fat cell is created, it remains in place for years, even if the fat inside it gets mostly used up.
The reason this causes such a challenge is that when our bodies store new fat, they put it in the exact same place, in the exact same cells, again and again. This creates the “stubborn” effect, where it feels like you can never get rid of the fat in that region for good. In order to do that, we need to eliminate the entire fat cell––and that’s exactly what CoolSculpting does.
The treatment uses state-of-the-art technology developed with Harvard University research and Zeltiq Aesthetics. Scientists realized that fat cells begin to break down when their temperatures are lowered to roughly 54 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature is low enough to eliminate fat, but still high enough that skin and other organs nearby will not be harmed. When an experienced practitioner such as Dr. Stewart conducts a sculpting session, she can safely target the fat cells and remove them permanently.
The first step in the process is to apply specially designed cooling applicators to your desired treatment area. Typically, most patients want to treat areas in their thighs, abdomen, or “love handles” near their sides. When the applicator is placed near these spots, the subcutaneous “pinchable” fat gets hit with cooling technology. Over the course of a treatment session, the temperature of these fat cells is lowered.
After they have been exposed to the cooling technology, many of the fat cells will not recover, and will ultimately die. This process is sometimes called cryolipolysis, or apoptosis, where the cell itself dies. Once a fat cell dies, the body will realize that the cell is no longer useful, and will remove it from the system permanently.
Getting rid of the cell does not happen immediately, but it is an effective process. The body flushes the frozen fat cells over a period of several weeks. You will usually start to notice small changes about three weeks after your session, and then more and more as time goes on.
After 12 weeks, the changes will be very visible, with an average patient experiencing a 20%-30% fat reduction in the treated area.
Because every patient is different, the pricing for a sculpting session will also vary. The main factors are the areas you wish to treat, as well as the number of sessions that will be required to achieve your results. When we meet in person, we will come up with a personalized payment plan that works to help you reach your goals.
People have many questions about our treatment, but we are happy to answer any of them! If you don’t see your question on this list, please don’t hesitate to ask us yourself.
We are excited to say that there are a number of possibilities when it comes to freezing fat. Over the years, Zeltiq’s technology has been improved and refined, and different-sized applicators have been developed in order to work with different target areas on the body.
Currently, you can get treatment for the area around the stomach or abdomen, also known as “belly fat.” You can also target the love handles near your sides, as well as the thighs and the arms. In some cases we can even target other areas, so let us know your own personal goals!
Although sculpting works very well for removing stubborn fat, it is not a complete solution if your goal is to lose a lot of weight. The typical patient will be close to their target weight, but slightly above it. They will also most likely be struggling to get rid of stubborn fat in one particular region of the body.
One of the great things about CoolSculpting––you can resume your normal activities right away! The process doesn’t require you to spend any time away from your job or your usual life. Simply come to the clinic, get the cold application, and then let the body’s natural process take care of the rest of the fat elimination process.
A typical session will be less than an hour and sometimes as little as 30 minutes. Of course, it will depend on what you are getting treated. Some patients want to treat multiple areas, while others want to focus on a small target area.
Sometimes, a patient may wish to see increased results from their treatment sessions. In this case, we can do a second and even third treatment on a specific area after some time has passed.
The amount varies, depending on the patient and how they respond to treatment. A patient’s initial fitness level, the area treated, and their genetic response may all play a part in determining the results. Typically, 20%-30% fat loss is seen in the target area, after a period of 12 weeks.
The initial results are usually seen three or four weeks after the session ends. By this time, the body has started flushing some––but not all––of the damaged fat cells. The process will continue and show the most dramatic changes by 12 weeks. Still, many patients report seeing continued loss even after this point.
Yes, the treatment is safe! It has been FDA-approved and millions of patients have experienced amazing results using it. A great deal of work and research has been done so that the process only targets the fat cells while leaving skin smooth and unharmed.
The fat cells that are eliminated by treatment will not come back––they are gone forever! Still, it is important to realize that the treatment is not a replacement for healthy habits. If a patient does not control their weight, then the body may form new fat cells as a result. However, many patients notice that even if they do regain some weight some years later, it is more evenly distributed.
The fat is broken down by the body, but there is not any unusual extra waste to worry about. Cell death is a completely natural process. The body is always removing old cells that no longer function properly, and the damaged fat cells are not any different in this case.
Typically, the best candidates will be pursuing a healthy lifestyle but will be unable to get rid of the last clingy areas of fat in a certain spot. If this sounds like you, then you may be the ideal patient. Additionally, if you are pursuing a healthy lifestyle, it will be that much easier for you to maintain your results long after treatment.
There are a few instances where we may advise against this specific process. It is not ideal for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for anyone who has the desire to lose large amounts of body fat. Additionally, patients who are sensitive to cold may wish to pursue other options.
Dr. Stewart is happy to offer a number of different treatments that may be better if you decide that CoolSculpting is not the best treatment for you. We also specialize in Vanquish ME and Ultrashape.
Vanquish may be an option if you are especially sensitive to cold. The purpose of this technology is the same––it permanently disrupts and destroys fat cells. However, it accomplishes this through the use of radiofrequency technology.
As with Vanquish ME, Ultrashape targets fat with a non-cold option. The Ultrashape device uses ultrasound waves to achieve its goals. The process is non-invasive and non-surgical, and patients can go about their daily activities immediately following a session.
If you would like to know more about this exciting option, then get in contact with our friendly office staff! We will set up an appointment for a personalized consultation. During this time you can ask any questions you might have about the sculpting process. We also discuss your aesthetic goals and your medical history and make sure the treatment is the best option for you.
After that, we’ll create your personalized treatment plan that helps you achieve the body you want!
Are you ready to get rid of that stubborn fat once and for all? Achieve your goals with CoolSculpting near me administered by our skillful professionals––contact Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology of Cherry Creek in Denver, CO today!