Losing weight takes a lot of work. For most of us, it means months of dieting and exercise to take off extra pounds and help smooth, tone, and refine the results of our efforts. But all too often and despite all our hard work, we’re left with isolated areas of stubborn, jiggly fat that just won’t budge. And that means all that work we’ve put in still can’t help us get the end result we’re looking for.
Yes, you could opt for liposuction, a surgical procedure that uses incisions, anesthesia, and vacuuming instruments to suck fat out of those stubborn areas. But that can mean a relatively long recovery, which isn’t always the best option for those of us who want to see quick results.
Fortunately, CoolSculpting® offers a much better solution for many patients looking to refine their contours after finally shedding those excess pounds. And at Meridian Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lee K. Thornton and Dr. Mark S. Elliott use CoolSculpting to help both women and men enjoy slimmer, sleeker bodies without the downtime, discomfort, or cost of traditional liposuction surgery.
While many body-sculpting procedures use heat energy from lasers, CoolSculpting uses cold energy to literally freeze fat cell walls. In fact, it’s the only FDA-cleared non-surgical fat removal procedure that uses cold energy to destroy and eliminate unwanted fat. The cold energy makes the walls of the fat cells brittle, and the gentle suction of the device helps the cells break apart so the fat is destroyed. Over time, your body carries away the cell debris, leaving you with slimmer, sleeker contours.
In CoolSculpting, there are no incisions and there’s no need for anesthesia. Instead, the CoolSculpting device rests on your skin and cold energy is transmitted through the applicator to the precise depth of your fat cells. During the CoolSculpting procedure, most patients report very little to no discomfort beyond the cooling sensations that can make you feel a little chilly until your body adjusts. There might be some minor pinching as the fat cells are destroyed, but again, the sensations are minimal and temporary. Once your fat cells are destroyed, they’re gone for good. And because there’s no downtime, you can get back to your regular activities after your procedure.
For a little while after your procedure, the treatment area may be a bit sore and pinkish, but these effects typically resolve within a few days. Because it can take some time (usually a few weeks) for your body to begin removing the cell debris left by the CoolSculpting treatment, you usually won’t see the initial results of your procedure for about four to six weeks. By two months, you should see a dramatic change in your contours, and you may continue to see improvements for two to four additional months.
While some patients will achieve the results they’re looking for with a single session, other patients may benefit from an additional treatment to reach their goals. Our team will be able to determine if a second session might be beneficial for your goals. And even though CoolSculpting eliminates fat cells for good, you should still follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain your slim contours (and of course to stay healthy too).
Taking steps to look your best means you can feel more confident about your appearance and your life in general, and it’s a great way to jumpstart a positive attitude. Find out how CoolSculpting can help you finally get rid of those unattractive, stubborn pockets of fat. To learn more about CoolSculpting and other services available at Meridian Plastic Surgery, book an appointment online today.
