CoolSculpting Guide 2024

Are you struggling to lose fat from certain areas of your body? You may be interested in CoolSculpting.

This brief guide will detail everything you need to know about CoolSculpting so you can easily determine if it is the right choice for you. If you have been trying to lose weight from certain areas with little to no success, you may be interested in the CoolSculpting procedure. CoolSculpting promises to eliminate stubborn fat from target areas of your body through a special fat-freezing method. You may be curious about what the procedure entails, if you are eligible, the costs, the potential risks and side effects, the recovery period, and available providers. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about CoolSculpting and if it is the right choice for you.

What Is CoolSculpting?

If you have been trying to lose weight, your main mission may be to lose a significant amount of fat and retain or build muscle. You may be surprised to learn that when you lose fat, your fat reserves drain from fat cells. However, the fat cell will maintain its structure, waiting to pull and store lipids again. CoolSculpting is a procedure that removes extra and unnecessary fat cells from beneath the skin. In this way, both the lipid reserves and the fat cell are removed from your body.

CoolSculpting may be preferred over other types of procedures that perform fat removal, as it is noninvasive and nonsurgical. It is performed through a cryolipolysis method whereby fat is frozen. When a fat cell reaches freezing temperatures for a certain amount of time, it will achieve cell death. You can compare this process to frostbite, although it will be performed in a controlled and safe environment. After the procedure, during a period of a few months, the body naturally removes the dead cells from the body. Depending on the area treated, you can expect to benefit from a 20% to a 25% fat reduction in that specific area. 

What Is the CoolSculpting Procedure?

If you are interested in Coolsculpting, a provider or plastic surgeon will typically provide a short consulting appointment. At this session, you can determine if the procedure is right for you and which body parts you wish to remove fat cells from. For instance, you may wish to perform CoolSculpting on your abdomen, thighs, glutes, hips or love handles, arms, chin area, back, or chest. 

When you arrive at your provider’s office for CoolSculpting, you can expect the procedure to last one to three hours. A professional will utilize special handheld devices to freeze your fat cells, typically placing a gel pad and an applicator to the target area. While they move the applicator over your skin you may feel a slight discomfort as your skin cools down which will eventually fade once the area is freezing. If you are targeting more than one area, the doctor may have a few providers working on your body with a few devices. After the procedure is finished, you can expect to see results within 1 to 3 months. 

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

You may be an excellent candidate for CoolSculpting if:

  • You are in good overall health
  • You are not pregnant
  • You are within 10-30 pounds of your goal weight 
  • You do not have a BMI of 34 or more
  • You have trouble zones where you are not losing fat or weight
  • You have pinchable or pullable fat
  • You do not have varicose veins, nerve problems, rashes, or open sores in the target area
  • You do not have cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, cold urticaria, Raynaud’s syndrome or phenomenon, or other cold-related conditions 

How Much Is CoolSculpting?

The cost of CoolSculpting may vary according to the areas of your body you wish to target, and the amount of times you receive treatment. On average, the procedure costs between $2000 to $4000. It may cost less than this if you are only targeting a small area. For instance, your upper arms may only cost $650-$1300. You can receive further details by contacting your specific provider and possibly receive a detailed estimate during a consultation appointment.

You may also receive coverage from your insurance plan, although most insurance companies consider CoolSculpting an elective or cosmetic procedure. If you wish to find out more about your coverage, contact your insurance provider for more information. 

What Are Risks and Side Effects? 

CoolSculpting was deemed safe and effective for the love handles by the FDA in 2010, and they have continued to approve further body parts since that time. Since this is the case, you can target nearly any area of your body that is clinging to stubborn fat. The most common side effects include:

  • Tinging, tingling, pulling, arching, or cramping of the skin during the procedure 
  • Redness, bruising, swelling, and other skin sensitivity at the targeted site 
  • Tenderness to the touch 
  • Slight pain or discomfort 
  • A rare side-effect, Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia or PAH, where fatty tissue grows larger rather than shrinking as intended. If this occurs, it can be treated by an expert plastic surgeon. 

How Long Is Recovery?

In general, it takes 1 to 3 months to see the full results of the CoolSculpting procedure. It takes time for your body to process and remove any dead fat cells. That said, it may take as long as six months, if the areas you target are relatively large. Although it takes time to see results, this is not a period of recovery. It is important to remember that the CoolSculpting is noninvasive and nonsurgical. Therefore, the mild side effects you may experience will subside within a couple of weeks. 

How to Locate CoolSculpting Providers 

Depending on your state, there may be regulations on who can perform the CoolSculpting procedure. Typically, you may find the procedure available through a plastic surgeon or an esthetician. Since the effectiveness and safety of CoolSculpting depend on the training, skill, and experience of your provider, it is important to find a reputable treatment office and trustworthy professionals.

If you do not already know a plastic surgeon or esthetician in your area, you may be able to locate a respected provider through your doctor, referrals by friends and family, or through the CoolSculpting provider locator tool. 

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