Have you ever wished you could get rid of stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise without having to get plastic surgery? If you’ve never heard of non-surgical body contouring, you might think that this is just a dream, or a lie sold to you on late-night infomercials. However, technology like CoolSculpting® makes it a reality.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a form of non-surgical body contouring — meaning it can change your shape without needing any surgical procedures. Using a vacuum-like device, it freezes the targeted fat cells. This crystallizes them and signals to the body that these cells are waste. As a result, the cells are flushed out of the body naturally over a period of weeks.
Much like liposuction, CoolSculpting isn’t meant for weight loss, but it can help you feel more confident in your appearance. It is best for individuals within 30 pounds of their ideal weight.
What Does CoolSculpting Cost?
There is no set cost for CoolSculpting treatment. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost nationwide in 2017 was $1,481 per treatment.
What you will pay varies significantly between different locations and providers. For example, providers in cities tend to charge more than those in more rural locations, and a city with a higher cost of living will see providers charging more than those in a more affordable area.
Then there is the fact that providers tend to charge based on their experience and level of training. While you might find a provider with low qualifications charging less, you lose out on the education and eye for aesthetics that a plastic surgeon brings to the table.
Finally, you have to consider the treatment area. Generally speaking, the larger the area of the body, the higher the cost. So, getting CoolSculpting on your abdomen will cost more than on your chin. However, you can also treat multiple areas at once, which will also increase the cost.
Sometimes, you might come across deals that sound too good to be true. For example, two CoolSculpting sessions for any area of the body for just $1,500. When you see these offers, exercise skepticism. When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Typical CoolSculpting Costs
- Arms: $1,300—$650 per arm
- Stomach: $1,500
- Inner Thigh: $1,500—$750 per leg
- Outer Thigh: $3,000—$1,500 per leg
- Chin: $1,300
While these typical costs can help you start saving for your procedure, it is important that you do not see these prices as being set in stone. The only way you can know what your procedure will cost you is by setting up a consultation and speaking with your provider of choice. Ultimately, each surgeon or technician will set their own costs.
How Do I Pay for CoolSculpting?
Because it is a cosmetic procedure, your insurance provider won’t cover CoolSculpting treatment. This means you will need to pay for it yourself. The best option is paying for everything upfront, but sometimes, that isn’t possible.
The next best option is to look for providers that help you with financing or offer payment plans. Usually, the best providers for this will be plastic surgeons.
Dr. Chang earned his medical degree from Columbia University after graduating magna cum laude from Yale, and then completed a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. After becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon, he returned to his home state and established Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, one of the premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery practices between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
