CoolSculpting

No matter your weight or fitness level, everyone has at least one “problem area” where stubborn pockets of excess fat cling and refuse to budge, no matter how many carbs you cut or how many hours you spend in the gym. In the past, your only option for getting rid of these annoying bulges was liposuction, but the ever-advancing technologies of cosmetic surgery have developed new, non-surgical ways to provide you with a slimmer contour – without invasive surgery.

At South Shore Plastic Surgery, we offer New Jersey patients, CoolSculpting – a procedure uses a technology known as “cryolipolysis” to reduce or eliminate those unsightly lumps and bumps you can’t shake.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

The short answer is that CoolSculpting kills fat cells using cryolipolysis, or by freezing them. The process itself was first discovered in the 1970s, when researchers noticed that fat-based adipose tissue seemed to freeze at a higher temperature than other tissues (such as skin and nerves) that are water-based.

This theory was once again proven in 2007 when researchers realized that fat cells would crystallize and die when exposed to a certain level of cold temperatures. Once the cells die off, your body processes and flushes them out via your lymphatic system. These findings eventually led to the development of the technology behind CoolSculpting.

The CoolSculpting device provides precise, controlled cooling to the targeted treatment areas, freezing only the unwanted fat cells. When the excess fat cells are exposed to the cold temperature for a certain period of time, they freeze and die – all without causing damage to the surface of your skin or any of the surrounding tissue.

In 2010, CoolSculpting received FDA approval and has quickly become one of the most well-known methods of body contouring and fat reduction – in fact, more than four million CoolSculpting procedures have been performed around the world.

What Areas Can CoolSculpting Treat?

CoolSculpting offers several applicator options to choose from, featuring different sizes and curvatures designed to treat almost any area of your body from head to toe, including:

• Under your chin
• Upper arms
• Back and bra bulges
• Abdomen
• Waist and flanks (love handles or muffin top)
• Hip area (saddlebags)
• Under the buttocks (banana rolls)
• Inner and outer thighs

While CoolSculpting can effectively reduce excess fat by nearly 25 percent in specific areas, it is not to be used as a method for weight loss. It is a tool used to contour your body, which means that you will see a difference in how your clothes feel and how you look, but not much difference on the scale.

The CoolSculpting Procedure

At South Shore Plastic Surgery, we perform CoolSculpting in the comfort of our New Jersey office. Each session lasts around one hour, though the time will vary depending on the area or areas you choose to treat. When you arrive for your CoolSculpting session, you will get settled in one of our treatment rooms, and Dr. Vasisht will mark the areas on your body that you are targeting for contouring.

He will then place a gel pad on your skin (for an extra layer of protection), and attach the CoolSculpting vacuum applicator over the pad. The excess fat is gently suctioned into the hollow tip of the applicator, where the temperature will begin to drop. You will initially feel a mild tugging sensation from the suction, but this feeling diminishes as the area becomes numb.

Once you’ve completed your session, Dr. Vasisht will remove the applicator and gently massage the treatment area. While it is possible that you may see some results immediately, the more dramatic and final results of your CoolSculpting procedure are dependent on how quickly your body processes and eliminates the dead fat cells. This can take anywhere from three to six months, so be patient as your body works its magic.

In most cases, you will need more than one treatment to reach your goal, but Dr. Vasisht will create a customized treatment plan prior to your first session so that you know what to expect.

Ideal Candidates for CoolSculpting

If CoolSculpting is something that sounds intriguing, you may be wondering if this procedure is the right one for you. Some factors to consider include:

• Are you at a healthy, stable weight? Significant weight gain or loss can negatively affect your CoolSculpting results, so you’ll want to be close to your goal weight before undergoing the procedure.

 

• Is your skin cold-sensitive do you have a condition that is worsened by cold? In the majority of people who choose CoolSculpting, the surface of their skin is not affected at all. Because fat freezes at approximately 39 degrees, and water-based tissues require a much lower temperature to freeze, most patients do not experience any sensitivities or skin discoloration. However, if you know that you have a cold sensitivity or condition that is exacerbated by cold, CoolSculpting may not be the best option for you.

 

• Do you have an hour for a treatment with lasting results? Because CoolSculpting doesn’t require anesthesia, surgery or downtime for recovery, it is an excellent choice for both men and women who want a sleeker body contour without invasive surgery. You can return to your daily activities immediately after your treatment, with no restrictions.

If you are searching for a convenient and effective way to get rid of excess fat, CoolSculpting at South Shore Plastic Surgery may be the solution. To discover more about CoolSculpting or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at 856-784-2639.

Coolsculpting Before & After Results

Before

After