Millions of people have experienced the fat-freezing, body-sculpting results attainable with CoolSculpting. This non-surgical treatment destroys fat cells by freezing them, without affecting the surrounding tissue. Fat is reduced by up to 20-25 percent in targeted areas. Dr. Ronald Schuster is pleased to offer this minimally invasive body-shaping option to patients interested in a no-downtime alternative to surgery. To learn more, please call our cosmetic surgery practice in Baltimore at 410-593-0691.
On this page, we discuss:
- How Does CoolSculpting Work?
- CoolSculpting Treatment Areas
- Can Anyone Receive CoolSculpting Treatments?
- Are CoolSculpting Treatments Painful?
- Are There Any Risks Involved With CoolSculpting?
- How Long Does Each Session Take?
- How Effective Is CoolSculpting Compared To Other Treatments?
- How Many Sessions Are Needed?
- How Is CoolSculpting Performed?
- What Is The Recovery From CoolSculpting?
- Are Results From CoolSculpting Permanent?
- Schedule Your Consultation Today!
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting uses “cryolipolysis” to freeze and thereby destroy targeted fat cells on certain parts of your body. “Cryo” means icy cold and lipolysis means the breakdown of fats. Once frozen, the fat cells are gradually eliminated from your body naturally, leaving a noticeably smoother, flatter body area.
CoolSculpting is fat reduction, which should not be confused with weight loss. Weight loss refers to your whole body weight. When you lose weight, the fat cells in your body shrink. CoolSculpting freezes and eliminates fat cells in highly targeted areas, resulting in fat reduction of up to 20-25 percent in the selected area. Results can vary and in some cases CoolSculpting does not work.
It’s actually the best-case scenario to be as close to your ideal body weight as possible before getting this fat-freezing treatment. CoolSculpting works best as a way to eliminate stubborn fat that’s resistant to dieting, exercise and your other attempts to slim down. It’s a great way to refine tighter, firmer body contours.
CoolSculpting Treatment Areas:
CoolSculpting is an ideal match for excess fat in these body areas:
- Abdomen/tummy
- Flanks
- Under the chin
- Under the jawline
- Thighs
- Back fat/”bra rolls”
- Under the buttocks/”banana rolls”
- Upper arms
Can Anyone Receive CoolSculpting Treatments?
Most people who want to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat without surgery are excellent candidates for CoolSculpting treatments. The fat freezing technology is proven safe and effective. It is ideal for healthy individuals who eat well and exercise but want to do more.
CoolSculpting is not meant for weight loss. It should not be used as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. It is also not appropriate for those with certain conditions. People who suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria should not be treated with CoolSculpting. Schedule a consultation for more information about your candidacy.
Are CoolSculpting Treatments Painful?
CoolSculpting treatments allow you to avoid the discomfort and downtime of surgery. You can expect to feel a slight vacuum pressure and an intense cold sensation. Roughly 10 minutes into your treatment, the area will temporarily become numb, and the cold sensation will fade away. After treatment the areas will remain slightly numb for about six weeks. Most patients do not need anything more than a few doses of ibuprofen or Aectominophen afterwards. Occasionally patients will need a stronger pain medicine or pain relief pads for a week or two.
Everyone has their own level of sensitivity. However, most patients do not describe CoolSculpting treatments as painful. You can watch a TV show, catch up on emails, read, or otherwise multitask during your appointment. When it’s over, you can resume your routine.
Are There Any Risks Involved With CoolSculpting?
The most common side effects of CoolSculpting include temporary redness, swelling, bruising, blanching, firmness, and tingling. Stinging, cramping, itching, and skin sensitivity can also occur. Some patients who undergo submental or submandibular area treatments notice a feeling of fullness in the back of the throat that resolves over time.
Series side effects are rare and may happen in 1 to 10 out of 10,000 CoolSculpting treatments. You will have an opportunity to learn about these side effects during your consultation visit.
Keep in mind that CoolSculpting has a proven track record of safe use and successful outcomes. Many people around the world have used the treatment with great results.
How Long Does Each Session Take?
The duration of your CoolSculpting session will depend on the areas that you want to treat. Individuals who want to treat large areas or multiple parts of their bodies will often spend more time at our practice than those who want to address one small problem spot. That said, it can take as little as 35-75 minutes to complete a CoolSculpting treatment, with the average session lasting anywhere between 1-3 hours. We will provide you with an individualized time estimate.
How Effective Is CoolSculpting Compared To Other Treatments?
There are a variety of in-office services that can address unwanted bulges and give you a slimmer shape. However, CoolSculpting is the treatment that doctors use most for nonsurgical fat reduction. It provides up to a 20% reduction of fat in treated areas. Plus, it is FDA-cleared for 9 areas of the body. Book a consultation to learn more about choosing CoolSculpting.
CoolSculpting Before & After Photos:
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
There are several CoolSculpting applicators, which are the devices placed over the skin that freeze fat. Each applicator is designed to fit well over a certain body area. Some people have two different body areas treated during a single session. Many people benefit from more than one treatment session to get the best results. We’ll help you decide the best course of action for the results you want to achieve.
How Is CoolSculpting Performed?
The appointment is a great opportunity to sit back, relax, and catch up on your favorite shows, your work emails, reading, etc. We’ll provide you with a blanket in case you feel chilly during treatment, which is not uncommon.
The applicator has two panels, between which the skin is gently drawn in. You may feel sensations of tugging, pinching, tingling, stinging or mild cramping as the device works. The skin will eventually be numbed by the cooling panels. Treatment lasts as little as 35 minutes depending on the amount of fat and size of the area.
Once the applicator is taken away, there will be a firm bulge beneath your skin where tissue has been frozen. It’s perfectly normal and in fact desirable because it shows that the treatment has effectively frozen the fat cells. We’ll gently massage this area to break up the fat and to promote fat reduction.
What Is The Recovery From CoolSculpting?
There’s little to no downtime after CoolSculpting. You won’t see results right away because it takes time for your body to naturally process out the destroyed fat cells. The first obvious results will take shape about three weeks later, with the best results at three months after CoolSculpting.
Are Results From CoolSculpting Permanent?
The fat cells that are eliminated are gone for good. They won’t come back. Nonetheless, it is of course still possible to gain more weight, which may appear in the treatment area or elsewhere on your body. Most of our CoolSculpting patients feel more motivated than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stable body weight after seeing their results, so we find that the results are lasting for those patients.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ronald Schuster is personally driven by helping his patients achieve the results they’ll love. After listening to your goals and examining the area you’d like to change, he can determine if CoolSculpting is right for you. To arrange a consultation at our Baltimore practice, please call our staff at 410-593-0691. Dr. Schuster’s patients visit us from across the surrounding areas, including Owings Mills and Towson.
*Individual results may vary
