CoolSculpting Elite Questions

The CoolSculpting Elite applicators are applied to the area of unwanted focal fat. This usually involves one or more of the following areas: abdomen, hips, bra-fat, inner/outer thighs, or chin. Using vacuum suction, the device gently draws the tissue with unwanted fat into the fitted chambers. Controlled cooling is then delivered to the treatment area, and the fat cells undergo “cryolypolysis” (cell death) due to freezing, while the surrounding tissue is unharmed. Approximately 25% of the exposed fat cells will be permanently destroyed, for significant body contouring improvement.

There is some mild & temporary discomfort  due to the initiation of the strong suction and extreme cold. You might experience a pulling sensation, mild pinching, tingling, stinging or cramping. However, as the temperature falls, there is a numbing effect and most patients sit comfortably during the treatment reading, watching television, or even napping! There may be some hypersensitivity of the skin in the treated area post-treatment;  this general disappears in several days. There might also be some tenderness or soreness for about a week – similar to muscle soreness after a strong workout session. Patients are usually able to return to normal activities immediately post-treatment.

The total number of fat cells in your body is constant once you reach adulthood. These cells will get bigger or smaller as you gain or lose weight, but the number of cells remains the same. CoolSculpting destroys fat cells in the treated area and they are eliminated for good. So, it actually reduces the total number of fat cells you have in your body, and makes it so your body cannot store as much fat in the treated area as you could have before, leaving that area “sculpted” even if you gain weight in the future.

Results may be seen as early as 1 to 3 months after treatment. You will initially experience some mild inflammation and swelling to the treated area. This should resolve within one to two weeks, then it will take another few weeks to see a noticeable difference. Full results from that session should be achieved within 12 weeks. Many patients require more than one treatment session to achieve their desired results. So, we schedule a follow-up appointment (including before and after photos and weight) 3 months after initial treatment to assess results and schedule future sessions, if needed.

Following treatment, you may experience mild redness, bruising, swelling or numbness in the treated area. This should resolve within 1- 2 weeks. The fat cell death is a small enough volume that your body breaks down the free fatty acids and triglycerides into harmless energy substrates, so there is no risk of elevated harmful lipids, heart disease or atherosclerosis as a result of CoolSculpting Elite treatment.

CoolSculpting is a contouring or sculpting procedure that modifies the distribution of fat cells to change the shape of your body. Results are not related to weight and CoolSculpting Elite isn't a weight loss solution. It's a tool to eliminate diet and exercise resistant fat pockets. The closer you are to your ideal body weight, the more you'll see your CoolSculpting Elite results. We recommend a healthy lifestyle that includes proper diet and exercise to augment and support your CoolSculpting Elite results. Weight is monitored during your treatment cycle to ensure that patient weight gain is not impairing results.

Before treatment, avoid anti-inflammatory products (NSAIDs, ibuprophen, etc.) to help reduce the chance of bruising. After treatment, you may return to your normal daily activities immediately (including exercise). It's important to maintain your weight post treatment, as significant weight gain will compromise best results.

Every patient has a unique treatment plan based on their body’s distribution of fat and their desired results. A personalized plan, including cost, will be developed for you at a private consultation appointment where you will receive a full-body assessment and all of your questions will be answered.