CoolSculpt
Even physically fit people at a stable weight can suffer from bulges, rolls, and other small areas of fat they can't get rid of no matter how much they exercise or diet. In fact, spot reducing fat through diet and exercise is practically impossible for many of us.
These small areas of fat don't seem to warrant a surgical procedure, but what can be done about them?
One option now available is the noninvasive CoolSculpting procedure. CoolSculpting uses a precisely controlled cooling method called Cryolipolysis to target, cool, and eliminate fat cells without damaging other tissue.
After a 1-hour CoolSculpting procedure, the patient's body goes to work. Targeted fat cells have been crystallized, and over the next two to four months, the body will break down the crystallized fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated from the body.
A good candidate is within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal body weight, but still has noticeable bulges or bumps that they would like to see go away. There are no drugs required, no surgery, and no recovery time necessary after the CoolSculpting treatment.
If this sounds like a procedure that might be right for you, contact Gulf Coast Dermatology today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the results be?
Scientific testing shows the CoolSculpting procedure reduces fat by about 20% on average. If the patient's treatment plan calls for an additional procedure to get rid of love handles or back fat, this will be done after two to four months, depending on the doctor's advice. Final losses vary, on a case by case basis.
What happens during the procedure?
First, the area(s) to be treated is selected. For instance, if your goal is to shrink your love handles, the CoolSculpting system will be positioned by your side. The device then draws the bulge up between two cooling panels. The patient feels only the sensation of firm tug – just enough of a pull to ensure the tissue will be cooled efficiently.
What does it feel like?
As the panels go to work in the first few minutes, the patient feels a sensation of intense cold. This soon dissipates, and the patient is usually seated comfortably or lying down during the 1- to 3-hour procedure. Many people spend this time reading, working on their laptop, or even taking a nap.
Can the patient return to normal activities after the procedure?
Yes. The CoolSculpting procedure is completely non-invasive, so the patient can return to normal activities immediately. Some patients experience redness, minor bruising, tingling, or numbness in the treated area, but this soon fades away.
When will the patient see results?
Patients may start to see changes as quickly as three weeks after their treatment, and will experience the most dramatic results after two months. But the body is still flushing fat cells, and will continue doing so for up to four months.
Are the results permanent?
During the CoolSculpting procedure, the treated fat cells are eliminated. As long as the patient maintains his or her weight with diet and exercise, long-term results should remain stable.
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