Getting rid of stubborn fat when the right kind of diet and exercise fail to deliver the desired results may warrant undergoing some kind of body contouring procedure. These days, non-invasive treatments work wonders, with cool sculpting being one of the most popular. If you’re interested in learning more about this procedure and cool sculpting results, keep on reading. For additional insight, you can always check out SculpSure Body Contouring in Tamarac, Florida, at Gynecology and Women’s Wellness.
What Is Cool Sculpting?
To explain what cool sculpting is, we have to start by stating what it isn’t – it is not a surgery and doesn’t involve needles or incisions. Essentially, this non-invasive procedure utilizes the method of freezing fat known as cryolipolysis, which was FDA-approved in 2010. A special device is used to freeze the fat and destroy it without harming the skin.
In order to freeze the fat in the targeted area, the doctor holds that area between two paddles. They can remain in that position while cooling the fat anywhere from half an hour to 75 minutes. This is enough to destroy around 20-25% of fat cells from the targeted area.
Cool sculpting results may take up to a couple of months to completely show, but it’s also possible to notice a change after just a couple of weeks. In terms of cool sculpting, the process forces the immune system to get rid of dead fat cells gradually.
Who Is Cool Sculpting For?
Not everyone can benefit from cool sculpting or cryolipolysis. For starters, this is not a weight loss method. It’s often recommended to people who have already committed to an adequate diet and exercise routine but need additional help to remove stubborn fat bulges. In general, the main targeted areas for fat freezing include:
- Upper arms
- Thighs and area under the gluteus
- Stomach and its sides
- Back and bra line area
- Under the chin and jawline
It’s important to note that some people have to avoid this procedure. If you’re not sure whether you’re a good candidate for cool sculpting or not, don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss it with Dr. Andrew Krinsky. In general, cryolipolysis is not recommended for people who:
- Have poor skin tone and/or loose skin
- Are overweight to the point of obesity
- Can’t manage cold all that well
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
People who suffer from conditions such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, cold urticaria, and cryoglobulinemia should also avoid cryolipolysis. Areas on the body where a person has some kind of nerve problems, varicose veins, or lesions/rashes should not be treated either.
Potential Fat Freezing Side Effects
While initially only applicable for the abdomen and flanks, in the past decade, the cool sculpting procedure has been FDA-cleared for various body areas concerning cold-assisted lipolysis. The clinical trials of the procedure have shown no significant adverse effects. Moreover, it’s been reported that fat freezing side effects don’t involve liver damage or fat increase in the blood. In that sense, cool sculpting is known to be rather safe as a non-invasive procedure. There may be some relatively minor fat freezing side effects during the procedure, such as:
- Cramping and aching
- Stinging and tingling
- Pulling
- Feeling intense cold
Once the targeted area gets appropriately numb, the mentioned side effects should also go away. One may notice some side effects in the next couple of days after the procedure, such as:
- Cramping and aching
- Bruising and swelling
- Redness and tenderness
- Overall skin sensitivity
These, too, should subside after a while, but if you find anything unusual about what you’re feeling after the procedure, make it a point to let your doctor know immediately.
What to Expect from Cool Sculpting?
Considering it’s a non-invasive procedure, cool sculpting doesn’t involve a lengthy recovery, if any at all. While it’s possible to feel a bit sore in the targeted areas, most of these side effects will be gone in a couple of weeks. Typically, a person will be able to go back to their daily activity almost immediately after the procedure.
When it comes to the actual results of cool sculpting, it’s safe to say that the first noticeable changes may be visible after about three weeks. The true effects will show up two to three months after the procedure, while the body will continue to flush out the fat cells for up to six months. In some cases, it might be necessary to repeat the treatment, depending on the severity of the stubborn fat and the targeted area. However, most people only need another treatment if they wish to treat an area on their body that’s different from the one initially treated. Keep in mind that a cool sculpting procedure is not a cure for obesity, and it can’t be viewed as an alternative to a generally healthy and active lifestyle. In that sense, it’s necessary to continue eating healthy and exercising in order to maintain the body contouring results.
How to Prepare for Cool Sculpting?
While there’s no need to prepare for the cool sculpting procedure too much, it’s essential that you ensure that your body is healthy and that you’re as close to your ideal weight as possible. As mentioned, fat freezing is not a weight loss treatment, meaning that people who are obese and generally overweight are not good candidates for it. Essentially, the best candidates are people who are already physically active, follow a balanced diet, and have a healthy weight for their height and body type, so that they can utilize the fat freezing method for the removal of the remaining, most stubborn bulges of fat.
It’s true that the procedure may cause one to feel some tingling, cramping, and aching, but the sensations are not so serious as to recommend taking aspirin and similar anti-inflammatories before the treatment. Namely, taking these could cause more bruising afterward.
In order to see the true difference, you can also expect your doctor to take before and after pictures.
Now, if you’re looking for cosmetic treatments that can help you get rid of a large amount of fat and weight, liposuction may be a better option for you. Keep in mind that cool sculpting is not liposuction. While the results will be the same with the permanent removal of fat cells, liposuction is a surgery that’s based on fat aspiration. On the other hand, the non-surgical cool sculpting is better for quick removal of the most stubborn fat without actual weight loss.
If you’re interested in fat freezing and believe that you could be a good candidate for this body contouring procedure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Gynecology and Women’s Wellness. We will discuss the best options for fat removal in regard to your own health and preferences. You can count on personal, friendly, and intimate practice that combines the most current academic medicine and a holistic approach to wellness.
