There are few things more frustrating than truly stubborn fat. You work out, you eat right and you take care of yourself, but yet there remains little pockets of unwanted fat that just don’t seem to budge. Each jiggle is a reminder that despite all of your hard work, you’re so close yet so far from the body you want.
Liposuction is one option, but could the better treatment for your stubborn areas of fat be CoolSculpting®? Does it work and will it work for you? If you’re looking to make minor improvements to your shape – finishing touches, so to speak – and are a generally healthy, fit person, CoolSculpting® could be the answer to shedding those final few pounds for good.
How CoolSculpting® Works
CoolSculpting®, also known as cryolipolysis, is different from the standard body contouring procedures that came before. Unlike liposuction, CoolSculpting® is noninvasive and doesn’t remove fat cells from the body through suction. Rather, the procedure uses cold temperatures to crystalize fat cells through controlled freezing. The frozen fat cells die and, over time, are naturally processed by your body and eliminated.
CoolSculpting® uses cooling panels to freeze away fat while you recline. You’re awake during the procedure and, aside from some mild discomfort, cold and sucking sensations, most patients tolerate it fairly well, according to Vogue. You can bring a good book, a laptop to do some work or a tablet to fire up your favorite film while your body is being contoured to the specifications you and your doctor have discussed.
Why CoolSculpting® Works on Stubborn Fat
Because CoolSculpting® is noninvasive, it can provide a safer alternative to surgical body contouring procedures like liposuction. A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery called it a “promising procedure for nonsurgical fat reduction and body contouring and presents a compelling alternative to liposuction and other, more invasive methods.” When used for localized pockets of fat, the study said that CoolSculpting® can create a significant reduction in fat with minimal side effects.
CoolSculpting® works best for smaller areas of fat that can still be pinched, making it a great fit for stubborn fat around your belly, love handles and thighs—the worst places to have stubborn fat! When it seems like nothing you’re doing is working to eliminate those last little love handles, it might be time to explore a CoolSculpting® solution.
When CoolSculpting® Won’t Work
While CoolSculpting® is very well-suited for small areas of stubborn fat, it’s less ideal as a means to remove large fat deposits. It’s not the right procedure for significant fat removal and it’s not a treatment for obesity. If you’re in a position where you have a lot of weight left to lose before you reach your ideal size, it’s best to hold off on CoolSculpting® until you’re nearly there. It can provide the perfect finishing touch for a body you’ve worked long and hard to create yourself.
CoolSculpting® might not be right for people with certain medical conditions, so it’s important to have an honest conversation with your doctor about whether you’re a candidate.
Dr. Martin E. Everhard, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., enjoyed a distinguished career in general surgery at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, Westchester County, New York. After settling in Savannah, Georgia, he retired from general surgery to work with weight loss patients. This new focus on health and body contouring led to him opening CoolBodyContouring in October of 2014, home to Savannah’s premier CoolSculpting® specialists.
