Cryolipolysis: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Coolsculpting is most effective for discrete areas of fat in an otherwise fit and toned individual.

It does have great success in someone who has a thick layer of fat everywhere. (Whitney A. Burrell, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting destroys the subcutaneous fat cells in the treatment area. Once the fat cells are gone, they are gone for good.

If you gain weight, it can hinder the results from your treatment. There are fat cells still left over in the area you treated (CoolSculpting kills about 25% of the fat cells in the treatment area), so if there is some weight gain, it can expand those remaining fat cells.

There is a slight chance you could have paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. This is very uncommon, but can happen from CoolSculpting, so check with your physician to see if this is what caused the “opposite effect.” (Jeffrey M. Hartog, DMD, MD, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting permanently removes the fat. Fat cells that were destroyed by the procedure will not grow back. If you have gained weight the remaining fat cells will expand to accommodate the weight gain. Each time the procedure is done, we anticipate a 20-25% reduction of the fat. (Jean M. Casello, MD, Northborough Physician)

Coolsculpting permanence

Coolsculpting permanently removes fat. You do not form more fat cells. However if you over eat, the unused calories will be deposited in your remaining fat cells and they will expand so that your Coolsculpting benefits will be lost.

Have you gained weight? Return to your provider for evaluation. (Maurice M. Vick, Jr., MD, Baton Rouge Urologist)

The CoolSculpting treatment itself does eliminate 20-25% of subcutaneous fat in the treated area, so once its gone, its gone for good.

Weight gain can cause the untreated fat cells to expand, which can mask the results of CoolSculpting.

If you have experienced no weight fluctuations at all in the 6 months since you’ve been treated, its possible that you may be experiencing an extremely rare side effect of CoolSculpting called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia. With PAH patients can see enlargement of the treated area a few months after their treatment; liposuction is generally recommended to correct this symptom. (Vincent Marino, MD, Scottsdale Physician)

CoolSculpting or Liposuction for “best” results?

CoolSculpting can remove 20-25% of the fat in the area that is treated and if additional treatments are done in the same area then the same percentages would be expected.

However this also depends on the fat being “pinchable” and amount that can be brought up into the CoolSculpting applicator. This can only be done with an in person evaluation. Also to consider is your time and expense when considering mulitple areas of treatment and multiple treatments of CoolSculpting as compared to liposuction which can remove more fat and contour to overlapping areas in the same setting.

Best to seek a consultation with a surgeon who performs both liposuction and CoolSculpting, discuss your desired outcome and then you will have the best idea of which makes the most sense to you. (Paul Pietro, MD, Greenville Physician)

The amount of fat removed varies in individuals but it can be up to 20-25% per treatment. The great thing about Coolsculpting is that it is non-invasive w nondown time. (Stephanie Martin, MD, Atlanta Orthopaedic Surgeon)

Each Coolsculpting treatment would give you an average of 20-25% reduction of the subcutaneous fat in the area treated. Depending on your goals and expectations, you may want to discuss subsequent treatments with your provider.

2 treatments would give you 40-50% reduction. (Sonnie Kim-Ashchi, MD, Jacksonville OB-GYN)

CoolSculpting vs Liposuction

Both will yield results. CoolSculpting is noninvasive. You can be seen and examined for the treatment. All you need then is time to have it done in the office. There is no down time. Liposuction is the gold standard for body contouring.

It allows you to treatment multiple overlapping areas at one time to sculpt the appearance. CoolSculpting allows you to treat a specific area. (Robert Whitfield, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction is an effective procedure that will help you achieve desirable results. CoolSculpting is a great in-office treatment that has no downtime, but the results are gradual within 3 months and only reduces fat cells by 20% per treatment.

With Liposuction, you will not lose 30 pounds but it will help define and recontour your body. Liposuction totally under local anesthesia is a common procedure that I perform in the office. Liposuction is a great procedure, and patients usually experience a smooth and speedy recovery.

I use a microcannula to give patients the best results that allows for a more targeted, and metered treatment to better control the removal of fat. The microcannula minimizes bleeding and also avoids irregularities due to its small diameter and blunt tip.

Coolsculpting Is More Natural

Further, the local anesthetics also help to avoid side effects in comparison to general anesthesia. Not only do patients find less discomfort, but there is minimal downtime. Patients should allow a week of rest to avoid any bruising or bleeding.

Overall, this procedure provides an excellent aesthetic outcome, leaving patients feeling confident with their new body contour and slim figure. (Ariel Ostad, MD, New York Dermatologic Surgeon)

It is a great, non invasive way to trim off unwanted fat bulges. Find an experienced provider that has the new treatment heads. They are much more comfortable and the treatment times are shorter.

Ask how many procedures they have done and look at their personal before and afters. (Maurice M. Vick, Jr., MD, Baton Rouge Urologist)

Coolsculpting nor liposuction are weight loss techniques. They are for stubborn areas of fat that don’t go away even when you are close to your goal weight. (Sheila S. Nazarian, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
In general, I don’t recommend either procedure for weight loss even though you will lose more weight with liposuction. The degree of weight change from liposuction is usually limited to several pounds. I would say the best way to manage your expectations from either procedure is that they can help improve the shape of your body.

If your goal is to lose 30 lbs, then I would recommend a medical weight loss program so you can do this safely in a monitored setting. (Young R. Cho, MD, PhD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting is a fabulous way to getting rid of a “bulge” but it is not a weight loss device. Some patients come in to the office and use Coolsculpting to get a “jump start” on their diet and exercise program.

However, healthy diet and exercise is key to any of these procedures. An in person consultation can help you address specific concerns. (Michele S. Green, MD, New York Dermatologist)