In properly selected patients, the CoolSculpting® procedure results in a noticeable, measurable reduction in fat bulges, in about two to four months. At that time, a follow-up appointment is scheduled to assess your cosmetic improvement and to consider additional CoolSculpting treatments to achieve greater fat reduction.

While you will see up to a 20-25% fat reduction in the treated area after a single treatment, it depends on the person and the area being treated. We will work with you to determine if additional treatments are necessary to reach your desired goal. Typically, we recommend packages of two sessions of CoolSculpting®, performed three months apart for optimal results.

The elimination of fat cells as a result of the CoolSculpting® procedure is expected to last about as long as fat cells removed by invasive procedures such as Liposuction. Once the fat cell is removed from the body, it won’t be replaced. However, the remaining fat cells can get bigger if proper exercise and diet are not adhered to.

The controlled cooling of the CoolSculpting® procedure targets and eliminates only fat cells. Other treatment modalities such as lasers, radiofrequency, and focused ultrasound affect fat cells and may affect other adjacent tissue in a way that is not comparable to the CoolSculpting method of Cryolipolysis.

During the procedure, a non-invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to target and eliminate fat cells in specific areas of your body. When the fat cells are exposed to cooling during the CoolSculpting® procedure, this triggers a process of natural removal, which gradually reduces the thickness of the fat layer. The result is a reduction in fat bulges that is visible in most patients in two to four months.

Each CoolSculpting® treatment is different, so it depends on which areas of the body and how many of them you plan on doing. Depending on the area, treatment can be done in as little as 35 minutes. If you opt to do multiple treatments in a session, expect to spend more time.

CoolSculpting® uses cryolipolysis, which is just a technical way to say fat-freezing. When fat cells freeze, they die and are then naturally eliminated through the body’s natural process. Don’t worry: This process happens so gradually, you won’t necessarily notice a difference in your day-to-day life.

There is no recovery time after the procedure. You may resume your normal activities on the same day as your procedure, including work and exercise.

Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment.

The CoolSculpting® procedure is comfortable for most patients. No anesthesia and/or pain medication was needed during treatment in any patients in clinical trials. Typically, patients are comfortable enough to read, work on their laptop computers, listen to music on headphones, or simply relax during the procedure.