No matter how good we are with our diet and exercise routines, many of us still have pockets of excess fat that can appear in a variety of body areas and just do not appear to budge. While liposuction can be a very effective surgical procedure to reduce these stubborn fat pockets, surgical procedures may not always be the first choice for some patients. In some cases, non-surgical procedures, such as CoolSculpting® may achieve effective results. The innovative procedure called CoolSculpting®, is a non-invasive alternative to liposuction for patients with smaller areas of excess fat. This procedure involves no surgical incisions or anaesthesia, and little to no downtime is often required.
It is important to note that CoolSculpting® is not designed to provide patients with a weight loss solution. It also may not be an ideal alternative to liposuction for patients who have particularly severe or large pockets/areas of excess fat. With that in mind, CoolSculpting® can often be effective for mild pockets of excess fat, enabling patients to modify body contours in certain areas.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
- What Are the Risks of Coolsculpting®?
- Who is a candidate for CoolSculpting®?
- What is involved in the CoolSculpting® treatment?
- Why Top Physicians Love and Recommend the Fat-Freezing Treatment CoolSculpting®
- After the CoolSculpting® treatment
- What Are the Potential Side Effects of Coolsculpting®?
What Are the Risks of CoolSculpting®?
While CoolSculpting® does not involve surgery, that does not mean that the procedure is without risk. Although our team takes great measures to mitigate the risks of treatment, there is still the possibility that a complication could occur. We will provide you with detailed information about the risks of this procedure before the treatment is performed so you can have a full understanding and make the best decision for your needs.
Some of the risks associated with CoolSculpting® include:
- Paradoxical hyperplasia. A small number of individuals have experienced this rare condition, which is characterized by the progressive development of a firmer enlargement of the treatment area in the months after the procedure has been performed. Paradoxical hyperplasia can be distinguished from temporary swelling and will likely not fade away on its own; however, surgical liposuction may serve as a way to correct the issue.
- Treatment area demarcation. This condition has occurred in a small number of patients and is indicative of an undesired indentation in the treatment area produced by too much fat removal in the region. Treatment area demarcation can often be addressed with corrective procedures.
- Rarely, patients have reported experiencing conditions such as hardness, frostbite, discrete nodules, a hernia (or an existing hernia that worsened), and darker skin color in the area where CoolSculpting® was performed. For cases of hernia, surgery may be necessary for correction.
Who Is a Candidate for CoolSculpting®?
Our practice’s CoolSculpting® technician will meet with you for a confidential consultation here at our practice to talk with you about your goals and determine if CoolSculpting® is the best option for your needs. Patients with mild areas of fat in specific areas that have not responded to diet and exercise may be candidates for this procedure. For patients who have larger pockets of fat in certain body areas, liposuction or another alternative may be more beneficial.
What Is Involved in the CoolSculpting® Treatment?
CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive way to help patients reduce small, localised areas of excess fat and modify body contours utilising an advanced cooling technology called Cryolipolysis, a technique developed by dermatologists at Harvard University. The procedure uses a special device to cool the excess fat cells in the treatment area. After the treatment areas have been selected and the customised treatment plan has been developed, the CoolSculpting® applicator will be prepared for its placement on the region targeted for fat reduction. The device will then draw up the bulge of excess fat and begin the process of “cooling” and breaking down the fat cells. Many patients experience a firm “pulling” sensation, along with a bit of pressure, as the treatment progresses. A feeling of intense cold as the cooling process begins is also common; however, the treated area often feels numb after a short period.
This action creates an inflammatory response, which ultimately breaks down the fat cells and allows them to filter out of the body through natural processes over the next few months.
CoolSculpting® has upgraded its technology with the new Advantage applicators, making treatment time faster. Additionally, larger areas can be treated with a single applicator, and the treatment itself is usually more comfortable. A typical treatment can be from 35 minutes to two hours depending on how many areas the patient is wanting to treat. We have multiple CoolSculpting® units able to treat several areas at once, which means treatment time is even shorter. During the CoolSculpting® treatment, many patients use the time to read, interact with their laptop computer or smartphone, or take a brief nap.
CoolSculpting® does not require surgical intervention of any kind, so many individuals are often able to resume their normal daily routines immediately after the procedure.
In general, patients typically need two or more CoolSculpting® treatment sessions in the area targeted for fat reduction to achieve optimal results. We can talk more with you about your goals during the initial consultation and make a recommendation based on your unique needs.
Why Top Physicians Love and Recommend the Fat-Freezing Treatment CoolSculpting®
After the CoolSculpting® Treatment
Most patients do not require an extensive period of downtime following CoolSculpting® treatment; however, individuals may experience certain side effects. These include redness in the treatment area, swelling, bruising, tenderness, a tingling or numb sensation, discomfort, itching, and/or cramping. These effects should be temporary and may only last a few days to one week.
The benefits of CoolSculpting® may begin to become noticeable in as little as one month after the treatment. Optimal results are often seen about two months following the CoolSculpting® procedure. Long-term outcomes can be expected as long as patients limit weight fluctuations as much as possible and maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of CoolSculpting®?
There are some potential side effects that may be experienced with the CoolSculpting® procedure. During the treatment itself, patients may experience tugging, deep pulling, and pinching sensations caused by the applicator. When the treatment begins, sensations such as tingling, stinging, aching, cramping, and cold may be present. In many cases, these sensations diminish as the treatment progresses and a numbing effect sets in during the procedure. Immediately following the CoolSculpting® treatment, some patients may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, sweating, flushing, nausea, or fainting. Additionally, the treatment area may look or feel stiff following the procedure, and temporary whitening of the skin (transient blanching) may occur—these particular side effects are considered normal reactions and usually begin to subside in a matter of minutes. Cramping and pain sensations, in addition to swelling, redness, and bruising in the treatment area may also occur. There may be redness in the treatment area for approximately one to two weeks following the procedure. For patients who are receiving CoolSculpting® for submental area treatment, a feeling of fullness in the back region of the throat may occur. For several weeks after the procedure, patients may feel a dulling of sensation in the area that has been treated. Some patients have also reported sensations or conditions of tingling, itching, tenderness, numbness, pain, aching, cramping, bruising, sensitive skin, and/or prolonged swelling.
It is important to note that patient experiences can vary significantly. If you feel you are having any unusual side effects or symptoms that are worsening over time, or if you have any concerns whatsoever, we strongly encourage you to contact our team or your physician as soon as possible.
For additional information about CoolSculpting® and to see if you are an ideal candidate for this non-surgical fat reduction treatment, please schedule a consultation here at The Layt Clinic.