Dr. Hootan Daneshmand
Med Spa California
Coolsculpting in Bakersfield and Orange County, CA
Coolsculpting is a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that works by freezing stubborn fat cells. Over the next few weeks or months, those dead fat cells are flushed out of the body. As a result, many patients experience improved body contour and self-esteem. If you’re struggling to lose weight in certain areas of the body – like the stomach or thighs – even after following a diet and exercise regimen, you may be a good candidate for Coolsculpting in Bakersfield, CA. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daneshmand has more than 30 years of experience in helping his patients achieve their aesthetic goals. He can do the same for you with this non invasive fat reduction procedure. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment at the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute today.
What is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting – also known as cryolipolysis – is a non-invasive, non-surgical body contouring procedure that essentially kills fat cells with cold temperatures. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the fat freezing procedure for the following treatment areas:
- Around the jawline and under the chin
- Love handles
- Stomach
- Inner and outer thighs
- Upper arms
- Back fat and bra fat
- Under the buttocks
How Coolsculpting Works
The idea of cryolipolysis treatment for fat removal came from frostbite, and more specifically, how body fat responds to intense cold. Subcutaneous fat dies at just 39 degrees Fahrenheit (or 4 degrees Celsius). So the goal with a Coolsculpting treatment is to freeze unwanted fat cells at a cold temperature without freezing or harming the skin.
This is how a Coolsculpting procedure will work: a medical professional will hold the targeted area within two paddles for 30 minutes to an hour. So if you are freezing fat in multiple areas of the body, the entire Coolsculpting process could take between one and three hours. The cold paddles will destroy 20 to 25% of fat cells in the treatment area according to the Coolsculpting website.
The destroyed fat cells are then gradually flushed out of the body by the lymphatic system. It can take a few weeks to a few months to see noticeable results from Coolsculpting, because that’s usually how long it takes for the dead, frozen fat cells to exit the body.
How Effective is Coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting is a safe and effective treatment for fat loss. However, individual results definitely vary. In a 2016 study, 77% of Coolsculpting patients reported that they saw noticeable fat loss. It’s important to note that this study was funded by a Coolsculpting manufacturer, which could mean that these results are slightly biased.
Meanwhile, a 2014 study (that wasn’t funded by a Coolsculpting manufacturer) reports that 86% of participants saw noticeable improvements in their body composition after their cosmetic treatment.
How Much Weight Will I Lose From Coolscultping?
It’s important to note that – similar to liposuction – Coolsculpting does not lead to significant weight loss. The goal of this cosmetic procedure is body contouring – not weight loss. Patients can expect to lose 1 to 5 pounds of fat in targeted areas.
How Many Sessions of Coolsculpting Do I Need?
The answer to this question depends on your aesthetic goals and how many parts of the body you want to treat. Some people may need only one session to see results, meanwhile, people with a higher percentage of excess fat may need anywhere between 1 to 3 treatments over the course of several months. Dr. Daneshmand at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute can examine your body, listen to your aesthetic goals, and help you determine exactly how many treatments you need.
Coolsculpting Recovery Time
Unlike more invasive procedures for fat loss, there is little to no recovery time after a Coolsculpting treatment. Your treated area may feel a little sore or appear red, but other than that, you should be able to resume your normal activities the same day.
How Long Do Coolsculpting Results Last?
Similar to liposuction, the effects of Coolsculpting are permanent because the freezing temperature will destroy fat cells. In other words, these dead fat cells will not come back. It’s important to remember, though, that if you gain weight, your existing fat cells in those treated areas will expand. So if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle after this non invasive procedure, you can end up back where you started with excess fat in certain areas of the body.
Who is a Good Candidate for Coolsculpting?
If you’re looking to lose stubborn fatty tissue in certain areas of your body, you may be a good candidate for Coolsculpting. Many plastic surgeons also require patients to be at (or around) their ideal weight before the procedure, because again, this is not a weight loss procedure. Patients who are obese or who don’t already follow a healthy diet or exercise program are generally discouraged from Coolsculpting procedures because they have a high risk of gaining unwanted pockets of fat back.
You may not be a good candidate for Coolsculpting if you have any of the following issues:
- Poor skin tone
- Lots of loose skin from significant weight loss
- Cryoglobulinemia, which is a health condition characterized by the thickening of certain proteins in the blood during exposure to cold temperatures
- Raynaud’s syndrome, which is when the fingers turn white or blue in cold temperatures due to the constriction of blood vessels
- Cold urticaria, which is a health condition characterized by lots of hives on the skin during exposure to cold temperatures
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria which is a type of rare blood disorder that’s characterized by the death of red blood cells in cold temperatures
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
Additionally, a plastic surgeon will not perform Coolsculpting on areas of the body that have nerve damage, rashes, skin infections, wounds, or varicose veins.
Coolsculpting Risks and Side Effects
Minor side effects of Coolsculpting include:
- Redness
- Bruising
- Tenderness or pain
- Tingling or stinging
- Firmness
- Swelling
The biggest risk associated with Coolsculpting is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). This condition is basically the opposite of the desired Coolsculpting effect. Instead of freezing and destroying fat cells in a certain area of the body, the treatment will cause the fat cells to increase. This will lead to a noticeable hard mass of excess fat. Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia can happen 2 to 3 months after the initial treatment, and may require surgery to remove the excess subcutaneous fat.
The good news is that paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is rare; it occurs in less than 1% of Coolsculpting cases according to a 2014 study. Still, it’s important to know the risks associated with any cosmetic procedure.
How Much Does Coolsculpting Cost?
The cost of Coolsculpting will heavily depend on several factors, such as your geographical location, your plastic surgeon’s experience level, how many parts of the body you want to treat, and how many treatments you need. According to the Coolsculpting website, the average cost of 2 or more treatments is approximately $3,200.
Alternatives to Coolsculpting
If you’re not completely sold on Coolsculpting, there are other more invasive procedures that can result in fat reduction and a more aesthetically pleasing body contour. Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute also offers:
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
- Kybella (an injection that can destroy fat cells)
- Vanquish or TruSculpt, which uses heat to kill fat cells
- SculpSure, which removes body fat with laser energy
Call the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute Today
If you’re already following a healthy diet and exercise plan and you’re still struggling with stubborn fat in certain areas of the body, Coolsculpting may be the right procedure for you. Dr. Daneshmand can also help you determine if other body contouring procedures – such as liposuction or even a tummy tuck – are right for you. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment at the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute today.