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Coolsculpting - Benefits, Side Effects, and Contraindications

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Everyone wishes to reduce fat without surgery. There is one such procedure called coolsculpting. Read the article below to know more about the procedure.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Jain Vicky Ghewarchand

Published At October 20, 2022
Reviewed AtMay 18, 2023

Introduction:

Coolsculpting should not be confused with weight loss. It is a procedure for stubborn fat loss and not weight loss. It is a cold application procedure to reduce fat bulges in a localized area that cannot be reduced by diet and exercise.

What Is Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is a non-invasive, customized, and personalized body contouring procedure done by freezing and eliminating the fat cells naturally. In medical terms, it is called Cryolipolysis. It is a cosmetic procedure that can only be performed by doctors, nurses, and medical spa professionals. This surgery contributes to the reduction of fat volume.

How Is the Procedure Performed?

Once you reach the doctor for cool sculpting, your treatment is planned based on various factors such as,

  • Number of sites.

  • Size of the site.

  • Skin texture.

  • Vascularity at the site.

  • Metabolic activity at the site.

  • Cell architecture at the site.

The number of sessions, duration of the procedure, and the time taken for the results depend upon these factors.

  • Once the treatment procedure is planned, the procedure starts with assessing an applicator of the appropriate size.

  • The procedure does not require anesthesia.

  • A gel pad is used to protect the skin during the procedure.

  • The applicator is placed in such a way that the hollow part of the applicator creates a vacuum with the fat bulge.

  • Once the vacuum is created, the temperature is lowered to around -11 to -13 degrees centigrade.

  • As the temperature decreases, the area becomes numb, and blood flow is also impeded.

  • After about 45 minutes to 1 hour, the vacuum is switched off, and manual massages are done for 2 minutes.

  • The manual massages given post-treatment are found to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure.

  • On cold application, fat cells crystallize and become dead cells eventually and then get eliminated naturally.

  • The breakdown of these fat cells may take up to 4 months to 6 months, and it purely depends upon the number, size, shape, and surface architecture of the fat cells.

How Will You Feel During the Procedure?

  • As the procedure solely involves a cold application, you may feel an intense cold initially. Later on, the area becomes numb.

  • As there is a vacuum created you may feel a little discomfort, pulling, tugging, and mild pinching sensation.

  • This numbness may last a few weeks. If it persists for a long time, it is better to consult the physician.

How Do You Recover From the Procedure?

Once a session gets over, the person can engage in normal physical activities. In some cases, mild pain may arise, which gets resolved sooner or later. However, if it persists, consultation with a physician is a must.

What Are the Areas of Application?

Areas of application include,

  • Submental region (under the chin).

  • Double chin.

  • Submandibular region (under the jawline).

  • Thighs.

  • Abdomen.

  • Flank.

  • Bra fat.

  • Back fat.

  • Upper arm.

  • Underneath the buttocks.

Who Can All Get Coolsculpting Done?

  • Coolsculpting is done especially for those with BMI (Body Mass Index) that is close to standard for their age and build but has fat deposits that cannot be eliminated by diet and exercise.

  • The procedure does not have an age limit. It can be performed both in children and adults with no history of neurological and orthopedic problems.

  • An individual with normal renal function.

  • Areas of discrete localized fat.

  • All skin types.

  • Small to moderate-sized adipose tissue.

  • Cellulite removal.

  • Areas with clear signs of bulging.

  • An individual is unwilling to have surgery.

Who Are All Contraindicated?

Coolsculpting is contraindicated in the following cases :

  • Loose skin and poor tone.

  • Elimination of visceral and fibrous fat.

  • Obese individuals.

  • Individuals with breast cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

  • Individuals with fever, hemorrhagic conditions, epilepsy, and pulmonary insufficiency.

  • Individuals with a pre-existing hernia, sensitive allergies, and seizure disorders.

  • Menstruating and pregnant women.

  • Areas with metal, electronic devices like cardiac pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, implanted neurostimulators, and hearing aids.

  • Sites with cutaneous lesions, dermatitis, and varicose veins.

  • Patients with a history of recent surgery.

  • Cold Urticaria: Individuals with this condition are sensitive to cold, and skin reactions occur within minutes of cold exposure.

  • Cryoglobulinemia: It is a condition in which abnormal proteins thicken in cold temperatures.

  • Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria: It is a condition in which the body’s immune cells produce antibodies against red blood cells at cold temperatures.

How Is It Beneficial?

  • Coolsculpting is useful in reducing subcutaneous fat (fat below the skin). It cannot reduce visceral fat (fat around the organs).

  • It helps in improving the abdominal tone and strengthens the abdominal muscles.

  • It also strengthens and improves the tone of fatty areas like the thigh, buttocks, etc.

  • It is painless, the least time-consuming, and an easy procedure to undergo.

  • It does not require long-term bed rest noticed in surgically treated individuals.

  • It can treat multiple sites in a single session.

  • It does not involve the usage of anesthesia.

  • It eliminates the risks of surgical removal of tissues.

  • It is the procedure in which the fat cells are eliminated naturally.

What Are the Side Effects?

Side effects are usually negligible in coolsculpting procedures.

The common side effects are,

  • Redness.

  • Swelling.

  • Bruising.

  • Tenderness.

  • Itching.

  • Nausea and vomiting.

In rare cases, there are some serious effects produced as follows:

  • Paradoxical Fat Hyperplasia: After two months to three months of the procedure, there are instances where a new tissue growth occurs in the treated area. It is a painless mass that can be either hard or rubbery in consistency. It is also noted that blood flow to the area increases. Eventually, it goes for surgical removal as it is challenging to perform liposuction for this condition.

  • Risk for Cardiovascular Parameters: The lipids broken down by coolsculpting can sometimes increase blood lipid levels, affecting cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, etc.

  • Vasovagal Reaction: Faint in response to any trigger.

What Are the Outcomes After the Procedure?

The outcomes depend upon each individual. Some may not have attained the desired outcome. In other cases, the outcome may be satisfactory. However, there are also possible chances of surface irregularities and asymmetry. So the outcomes always remain unpredictable.

Conclusion:

Everybody’s body accumulates fat in different areas which we do not wish to have and want to get cleared. One such promising non-invasive fat loss procedure in recent times, with considerably fewer complications and more satisfaction among the public, is coolsculpting. It is also a clinically proven fat loss trick with noticeable results with quick recovery. If you want to dive in and start a path towards a better body shape, consult ahead for coolsculpting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Long Is CoolSculpting Effective?

 
CoolSculpting generally lasts indefinitely if the person maintains the weight. This is because CoolSculpting removes the fat cells from the body, which cannot form again. But the residual fat cells start enlarging only when the individual gains weight after the treatment. 

2.

What Are the Adverse Effects of CoolSculpting?

 
The common adverse effects of CoolSculpting are pain in the treated area, swelling, discoloration of the skin, bruising, sensitivity, and paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which is the most common and severe side effect of all. 

3.

Does CoolSculpting Aid in Reducing Belly Fat?

 
CoolSculpting is commonly performed in individuals with belly fat. It can reduce and make the belly flat unless and until the person maintains weight. If the weight increase is noticed after the treatment, it is not due to the formation of new fats, but the remaining fat cells have started enlarging. 

4.

Is CoolSculpting Successful for Weight Loss?

 
It is commonly misunderstood by many that CoolSculpting is a treatment for weight loss. But, it is not usually recommended for individuals with obesity or those who wish to lose weight. Instead, it is suggested for individuals with stubborn fat, which does not dissolve through exercise and diet. 

5.

Is CoolSculpting Cost-Effective?

CoolSculpting is considered an effective procedure if it is properly planned with a specialist doctor and the individual regularly attends the sessions. In addition, weight maintenance is also a crucial factor in maintaining the procedure's effectiveness. 

6.

How Much Weight Can a Person Reduce With CoolSculpting?

 
Being clear that CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure, it is unlikely to expect a reduction in weight after the treatment. However, some individuals may experience around five to six pounds reduction due to the removal of stubborn fat.  

7.

How Does CoolSculpting Work on Fats?

The fat cells removed by CoolSculpting do not settle in any other part of the body; instead, it gets eliminated like any other infection. The fat cells freeze, get processed by the lymphatic system and are destroyed.

8.

Can Coolsculpting Show Results in a Week?

 
A significant result can be visualized only after six to ten weeks. However, slight changes can be noticed in the fourth to sixth week. In addition, the duration required for an ideal change is the time taken for the crystallized fat cells to get processed by the immune system. 

9.

Can CoolSculpting reduce Waist Size?

CoolSculpting is an effective alternative to liposuction to reduce stubborn fat cells. This way, it aids in reducing waist size without surgical intervention instead of using the fat-freezing technique. As a result, there are chances of about two to three inches of fat loss

10.

How Many CoolSculpting Sessions Are Required?

The number of sessions depends on the progress of the fat cell destruction. In most cases, a single session is concentrated on a specific area, and the number of sessions depends on the number of areas to be treated. Several follow-up sessions may be needed for certain individuals to eliminate stubborn fat cells.

11.

Do Fat Accumulate After CoolSculpting?

 
There is no chance of the destroyed fat cells recurring. But there are chances for new fat cells to form or enlargement of remaining fat cells when the individual gains weight. Thereby the effectiveness of the procedure is lost when the person gains weight after the procedure. 

12.

Can an Overweight Individual Undergo CoolSculpting?

 
CoolSculpting is employed for people with ideal weight and stubborn fat and is generally not recommended for obese individuals.  This is because CoolSculpting tends to leave the skin's surface irregular after healing, and the person may require many sessions to achieve the desired result. 

13.

How Many Sessions of CoolSculpting Does a Stomach Require?

In general, a person may require two sessions of CoolSculpting for the stomach, but the number of sessions may vary from person to person. A single session may last up to 35 to 40 minutes.

14.

What Are the Precautions to Be Taken After CoolSculpting?

 
The basic precautionary measures to be followed after CoolSculpting are rest and hydrating to enhance the flushing away of dead cells. In addition, avoiding physical exercise and allowing the body to heal the process are crucial. 

15.

Why Does a Person Weigh More After CoolSculpting?

 
After undergoing CoolSculpting, some individuals tend to weigh more because of the growth of residual fat cells due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. In addition, new fat cells may eventually form if maintaining body weight is not considered; however, the destroyed fat cells do not play a role in this aspect. 
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Dr. Jain Vicky Ghewarchand
Dr. Jain Vicky Ghewarchand

plastic surgery-reconstructive and cosmetic surgery

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