You are finally at what your doctor calls a healthy weight; and you don’t need to shed any more pounds. You eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. That exercise shcedule, once so overwhelming, has become part of your daily routine. Yet, there is still a roll of fat on your abdomen and your thighs are a bit jiggly. No matter how hard you workout, these things donot seem to see any improvement.
In some cases, fat can prove to be more stubborn than expected, not going away on its own, no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise. In the past, your options for removing that last bit of extra, unflinching fat involved surgery. Luckily, these days there is a less invasive and faster option for fat elimination: CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment that helps you lose the fat by freezing it. If you’re considering a body-sculpting procedure, you might have a few questions about the CoolSculpting technique, what it involves, and if it’s the best option for you.
Is CoolSculpting Right for Me?
Not everyone is a good fit for the CoolSculpting procedure. If you don’t have any extra fat, you won’t be able to benefit much from the treatment. It is also possible to have too much fat to see results from CoolSculpting, too. Remember, the treatment isn’t for losing weight. Instead, it’s designed to help people who have an isolated bulge of fat in areas such as the abdomen, back, arms, or thighs.
Your health also determines whether CoolSculpting will be right for you. Ideally, you will be in good health and not have any untreated medical conditions. Ask your doctor about any habits you might have, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and even tanning. He may then recommend quitting or taking a break from those habits before you get CoolSculpting.
Does CoolSculpting Hurt?
Most people find that CoolSculpting is not painful. Initially, when the treatment begins, you may feel suction from the device pulling on the target area. You will also feel the chill of the treatment, at least at first. After a few minutes, though, the area will become numb, and you will no longer feel a thing.
How Long Does CoolSculpting Take?
The typical CoolSculpting treatment takes one hour per treated area. With DualSculpting, it’s possible to treat two areas at the same time, using two separate devices; this cuts the total treatment time in half. To get an idea of how long your CoolSculpting session will take, add up the number of areas you want treated, then divide by two. This will tell you how many hours you will need to plan on..
Should I Bring a Book to My CoolSculpting Appointment?
If you love to read, a CoolSculpting session is a great time to get caught up on a novel or to start a new series. If you’re not much of a reader, you can use the time during your session in other ways. Bring along a tablet or your smartphone to stream your favorite show or movie during treatment. You can also check your email, social media or catch up on your favorite blogs during the procedure. Some people even use the time to catch up on their sleep and take a quick nap while the CoolSculpting machine does its work.
What Happens After a CoolSculpting Treatment?
After your CoolSculpting treatment, you’re free to head back to your regular life and regularly scheduled activities. You don’t have to take any time off from work if you don’t want to, and there is no need to avoid any specific activities. The treated area might be a bit red, tender, or even itchy afterwards, but these should fade away quickly.
What Happens to the Fat?
CoolSculpting works through Cryolipolysis; a method utilizing freezing temperatures to destroy unwanted fat cells. Once frozen, the cells will die away. Your body then works to flush away the dead cells, which can take a few months. Healthy tissue is not harmed in the process. Once the cells are gone from your body, they won’t return.
When Will I See Results from CoolSculpting?
You can expect to start seeing some results several weeks after your first CoolSculpting session. As your body continues to process and flush out the destroyed fat cells, results will become more and more evident. Most patients see very obvious, final results about 4 to 6 months after their first treatment.
Will I Need Additional CoolSculpting Treatments?
Since the fat is destroyed, you won’t need any repeat treatments to maintain your CoolSculpting results. However, you might benefit from having multiple treatments in the same area. For example, if you have two treatments in the abdomen area, you are essentially doubling the amount of fat you lose. Each CoolSculpting session can result in up to a 20% reduction in fatty tissue.
Will I Ever Gain Weight After CoolSculpting?
The fat you lose after CoolSculpting is gone for good. But that doesn’t mean you will not gain weight or develop more fatty tissue elsewhere. Therefore, it is important to continue with a healthy diet, and to maintain a weekly exercise routine, as future weight gain is possible. If you do gain weight, any remaining fat cells in the treated area will enlarge. If you lose weight again, those cells will shrink.
Board Certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas, and the staff at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique, are available to answer any additional questions you may have about CoolSculpting. Call the Houston office at (281) 810-9083 for a consultation today. Be sure to inquire about our DualSculpting services, as well.