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

CoolSculpting and Inner/Outer Thighs

Coolsculpting represents a significant advance in the management of localized fat collections. The success of the procedure depends on a variety of factors.

One of the most important factors is the location of the fat collections.

In many cases where saddle bags are present, coolsculpting results are excellent and patients report high levels of satisfaction.

Unfortunately, there are several potential problems when coolsculpting is performed on saddle bags. Excess fat in the inner and outer thighs can be difficult to treat because it’s often associated with loose skin.

Loose skin can be made worse when subcutaneous fat is removed with coolsculpting. Under these circumstances, coolsculpting not only removes excess fat, but can accentuate loose saggy upper, inner and outer thigh skin as well.

In addition, it can be difficult to apply the applicator to the inner and outer thighs in some cases. In these cases, there just isn’t enough skin to roll into the applicator head and as a result the device doesn’t function properly.

This can adversely impact the results and lead to treatment failure.

Because of these issues patient selection is extremely important. When patients have loose skin, results are less than optimal because of skin sag and other types of treatment should be considered.

When the skin is tight, the applicator may not fit. It’s important to discuss these issues with your plastic surgeon.

Your surgeon should be able to help you choose the procedure that’s best for you. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting for hips and saddlebags and inner thighs

CoolSculpting is not yet designed for outer thighs or inner thighs with specific applicators but doctors can and are using the smaller applicators for the outer thighs and hips.

Zeltiq, the company that designed the CoolSculpting treatment is supposedly developing a new applicator that may be even better for use on thighs but they are not yet available.

Regardless of technique to remove fat, the inner thighs is an area that deserves a cautious approach as it is prone to rippling or developing a wavy sagging after liposuction. Remember that CoolSculpting makes the body lose much less fat than can be removed with liposuction.

It also takes more time. There is usually 20% of fat loss in volume, four months after CoolSculpting and many patients return and do one or two more treatments to the same area as soon as two months after the last.

Liposuction is more effective, but for those who do not want to undergo a surgical procedure, CoolSculpting has made many of my patients happy. (Ronald Shelton, MD, Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting by Zeltiq can may be an alternative to Smart lipo for the Saddle Bag Area (Inner and Outer Thighs). This is an off label application as Coolsculpting is FDA approved for abdomen, flanks and upper bra roll. (Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS, New York Plastic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting for abdomen

I believe CoolSculpting is FDA approved for the love handle area of the abdomen. Some practitioners will also use it on the central and lower abdomen as well. I am not aware of successful use of the CoolSculpting device on inner or outer thighs.

I would recommend an evaluation by a physician using laser-assisted liposuction as well before making your decision. Liposuction or laser-assisted liposuction may be more appropriate for the inner and outer thigh areas. (Jay Zimmerman, MD, Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting Effective for Inner Thighs

CoolSculpting has a specialized applicator designed specifically to treat the inner and outer thighs, and an experienced provider can get excellent results in these areas.

When first released, CoolSculpting was designed more for areas such as the abdomen and flanks where the excess fat could be suctioned between 2 panels during the treatment.

Now, however, there are FDA-cleared applicators that work on “non-pinchable” bulges of fat such as those found on the inner and outer thighs. There is also a smaller FDA-cleared applicator designed to reduce the fat that causes a double chin. (Daryl K. Hoffman, MD, San Jose Plastic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting thighs and saddlebags

Coolsculpting works great when used in the correct patients in the appropriate areas. Currently there is no device for thighs, some people have fat that is still amenable to treatment with Coolsculpting in these areas but it depends upon how the device grabs the fat.

I would discourage inner thigh treatment until the new device for the thigh area is available. (Steven Hacker, MD, West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting versus liposuction

If your greatest concern is the outer/inner thighs, then Coolsculpting may be a good option for you. However, I would state that if you are planning fat grafting to the buttock, then the liposuction portion of the fat grafting procedure can help deliver even stronger results than what Coolsculpting can do.

I would recommend visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss the pros/cons of your question in more detail. (Young R. Cho, MD, PhD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting for saddle bags

Coolsculpting has been approved by the FDA for inner and outer thighs, and the results have been impressive. Consult in person with a board certified physician who can offer both the surgical options and coolsculpting to determine the best treatment plan for you. (Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS, West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Coolsculpting treatment on the thighs.

CoolSculpting is FDA cleared for abdomen and upper hip treatment. It is also being used clinically in many other areas including the inner thighs. The outer thighs are not ideal for most patients as the shape and nature of the fatty bulge doesn’t lend itself well to the technology.

Liposuction is a much better alternative if you are considering using the fat for buttock augmentation. Fat grafting generally requires liposuction for harvest. (York Jay Yates, MD, Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting Not Good Method for Thighs

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for the flanks (love handles) and abdomen and is proven to be a safe and effective treatment. At this time, it is not approved for use on the thigh area. (Daniel Shapiro, MD, Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon)

CoolSculpting for inner and outer thighs

CoolSculpting is a good option for both inner and outer thighs. It is non-invasive which makes it an attractive option and it works. We have had success at our office with inner and outer thighs at our office.

The smaller applicator works very well for this procedure and you can expect to see the best results in 3 to 4 months. (Joe Gryskiewicz, MD, FACS, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Usually, the primary targets for the cool sculpting (Zeltiq) are the abdomen, flanks and back. That said, if the amount of fat and the thigh area of interest is of the appropriate size to be well “suctioned” by the applicator (usually small in that case) then results could be achieved.

However, the current applicators are designed to cover the abdomen, flanks and back. (Ali Sajjadian, MD, FACS, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)