Is CoolSculpting Worth it and Is It Right For You?

If you are considering a fat reduction procedure, there are many options in today’s market.  First, let’s consider fat loss versus weight loss.  Fat loss is not the same as weight loss.  Weight loss occurs throughout the body when the fat cells shrink as a result of diet and exercise.  However, the number of fat cells remains the same, which explains why many people have stubborn areas of fat even when they are at an ideal weight.  Fat loss is the actual loss of fat cells.  This can only occur by a procedure targeting these stubborn areas of fat, such as CoolSculpting.

Whenever you are considering a cosmetic procedure, here are a few questions to ask:  does the treatment work? Does it hurt?  And, what does it cost?

CoolSculpting was approved by the FDA in 2010 for non-invasive fat reduction.  Over the years it has proven to be a tried and true treatment for stubborn areas of fat, such as the love handles, abdomen, bra fat, thighs, arms, chest and chin.  During the treatment, an applicator is placed over the treatment area and gentle vacuum is applied to pull the fat and overlying skin into the applicator where it will be cooled.  The cooling effectively freezes the fat, which will lead to a 20-25% reduction of fat in the area treated over the next several months.  The treatment itself is quite comfortable, as is the recovery – in fact, there really is no downtime with CoolSculpting.  Afterwards, many patients will notice the sensation of the skin is not quite normal for several weeks, but eventually returns to normal.  During that time, there are no restrictions or special care that is needed.

The cost for CoolSculpting varies, depending on the size of the area being treated, the amount of fat reduction desired, and the number of times any one area needs to be treated.  In general, most areas will need to be treated two times to get the “WOW” results we’re all looking for.  The second treatment on a particular area is usually performed a few weeks after the first treatment.

If you are considering CoolSculpting, I recommend seeing a doctor who performs the procedure himself, rather than delegating it to his staff.  Have a consultation to see if you are a candidate, if your expectations can be met with CoolSculpting, and what the expected cost would be.  Then plan ahead – remember, CoolSculpting takes 2-4 months for the final result, so give yourself enough time to see the results.

Aritcle by Michael Kerin, MD. Michael Kerin is the owner of Kerin MedSpa & Laser Center.  For more information on CoolSculpting and other state of the art cosmetic services, please visit www.kerinmedspa.com