Looking for answers about CoolSculpting? It is easy to confuse CoolSculpting as a method for weight loss, but it is not a weight-loss device. It is a body sculpting device. It is a treatment that reduces unwanted fat by chilling the fat cells to near-freezing temperatures. The process, also known as cryolipolysis, has been approved by the FDA and is a non-invasive way to reduce fat under the skin. It could be your stomach, thighs, arms, love handles, or anywhere you’d like to flatten the appearance of bulging fat. The device works by injuring the lipocytes, or fat cells, causing them to shrink. Liposuction, on the other hand, involves the mechanical removal of fat through suction. The advantage of Coolsculpting is that it is non-invasive and therefore leaves no scars. The sessions are short with no downtime, and you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. For localized areas of fat in cosmetically apparent areas, such as the love handles or lower abdomen, it offers a relatively painless method to significantly flatten areas that are generally difficult to address with diet and exercise.
“CoolSculpting is very safe,” says Jason Applebaum, MD, FAAC. “I’ve been using it since it was developed (6-8 years ago). The initial studies show that it is safe and effective. I’ve used it on many different types of patients, some with prior surgeries, and I’ve not had any complications other than minor bruising from the suction.”
You may be thinking, “Am I a good candidate for CoolSculpting?” Dr. Applebaum notes, “People who are good candidates are at most 10 – 20 pounds overweight or someone at their ideal weight with areas of stubborn fat to target (like the love handles.) Liposuction is preferred if you have larger volumes of fat to be removed.” Dr. Applebaum answers a few more questions about CoolSculpting below.