CoolSculpting: What It Is and What It Isn’t

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction procedure. It is not a weight loss treatment. The ideal candidates for CoolSculpting in Baltimore are men and women with fat deposits in particular areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Fighting a losing battle against fatty bulges can be discouraging, to say the least. Even when you exercise regularly, eat well, and successfully shed excess pounds, you may still be left with pockets of stubborn fat that refuse to respond to your fitness efforts, no matter how hard you work to achieve the shape you want. These obstinate fat deposits can accumulate in the belly, hips, thighs, lower back, upper arms, and a number of other body areas.

CoolSculpting is not designed to achieve overall weight loss. It is a one-of-a-kind, non-invasive procedure that targets and destroys fat cells to contour and slim specific areas of the body.

What Exactly Is CoolSculpting?

In a nutshell, CoolSculpting in Maryland is a non-surgical fat-freezing, fat reduction procedure. It contours the body by freezing and destroying unwanted fat cells in a non-invasive procedure with no downtime. This is the only FDA-approved treatment for fat reduction that uses cooling to treat diet and exercise-resistant areas of fat deposits.

As stated by the manufacturers, the CoolSculpting system has been approved by the FDA for fat removal in 8 different areas, including:

  • Double-chin
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Flanks (“love handles” or “muffin top”)
  • Outer and inner thighs
  • Bra bulges
  • Lower back
  • Underneath the buttocks

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

The technology behind CoolSculpting is based on Cryolipolysis, the proven science that developed from the idea that cold can target fat cells without damaging surrounding tissues and skin. The procedure uses controlled cooling to target and destroy only the fat cells beneath the skin, leaving the surrounding tissue unaffected.

CoolSculpting systems are designed with built-in safety features. Sensors in the system detect if the skin is becoming too cool, at which point the system will automatically shut down. While fat cells are being destroyed, the temperature never drops low enough to damage skin or muscle.

After treatment, the body absorbs and sheds dead fat cells through its natural processes. The targeted layer of fat is gradually reduced over time to help slim and sculpt particular areas of the body.

What Is a CoolSculpting Treatment Like?

A CoolSculpting treatment performed by Dr. Brent Birely can take up to one hour. Most patients experience very little discomfort during the procedure.

Treatment begins with the application of a gel pad to the targeted area, followed by the CoolSculpting device. Most applicators use gentle suction to pull the area being treated into a cup, where it is cooled to the appropriate temperature. Initially, patients experience intense cold, but the sensation subsides within the first 5 to 10 minutes of treatment.

Applicators in the CoolSculpting system are designed to ensure even results and to freeze only unwanted fat. During treatment, patients are free to read, use a phone or tablet, or even take advantage of the opportunity to catch a nap.

Dr. Birely tailors a CoolSculpting treatment plan to each individual patient’s needs. The number of treatments required to achieve optimal results will vary, depending on the extent of treatment and the number of areas being targeted in a single treatment session.

What Is the Difference between Weight Loss and Fat Reduction?

We have a certain number of fat cells in our bodies that typically becomes fixed at some point in our teenage years. When we gain or lose weight, it does not affect the number of fat cells we have — existing fat cells simply become larger or smaller. Weight loss does not make fat cells go away.

On the other hand, fat reduction with CoolSculpting in Baltimore can reduce the number of fat cells in the treated areas by approximately 20% to 25%, while the number of fat cells in the untreated areas remains constant. Fat cells destroyed in the procedure are processed and shed by the body. Once they are gone, they can no longer accumulate and store fat.  

Fat Reduction with CoolSculpting to Get Rid of Unwanted Bulges

CoolSculpting is not designed to help you lose weight. It can help you get rid of unwanted fat that is resistant to diet and exercise to achieve a slimmer body with sleeker contours, without surgery and with no downtime. To find out if you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting in Maryland, schedule a consultation with Dr. Brent Birely.

Sources:

 


Back to Blog
410.346.5246

Dr. Brent Birely is a board-certified plastic surgeon with offices in Lutherville and Bel Air, serving patients from Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, Westminster, and other Maryland cities. He is a very well regarded leader in cosmetic surgery and patient safety, and specializes in procedures including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, facelift, and body lifting procedures after weight loss.

*The content/images on this website are not a guarantee of individual results. Individual results may vary. The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not replace the need for a formal consultation with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon before undergoing a surgical procedure or skin care treatment.

Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 410.346.5246.
Contact Us