Who is Qualified to Operate the Coolsculpting Machine? Should It Be Only a Doctor?

I was the first plastic surgeon in the Houston area to bring on Coolsculpting.  I would say with any device, there is a learning curve.  Both in terms of knowing what the limitations of the device is, and gaining experience if this is something that can be delegated within a physician practice.I have found in my own practice that when I delegated completely, the results were more inconsistent.  Today I am involved in every consult and draw out the treatment plan for every patient prior to their treatment.  I still do many of the treatments myself depending on my schedule, but I do have a team that supports me. I would be weary of going to place where you don't see a physician or where the surgeon is not an expert in body contouring.

Hello, Thank you for your question. Anyone who has been trained by CoolSculpting can operate the machine. It is rare that a doctor will be the one treating. With this being said it is best to find a CooSculpting technician who has been to CoolSculpting University and has experience. This provides extended training that ensures quality results. Best of luck in your search 

The CoolSculpting machine can be operated by a trained professional such as a tech, nurse, physicians assistant or the physician.  In our office the machine is operated by a trained registered nurse.  Our nurse attended CoolSculpting University to get the best training and knowledge about the procedure.  You should visit a CoolSculpting provider for consultation to see who the machine is operated by in your area.

In our practice, our licensed nurses and Certified Laser Technicians perform the CoolSculpting procedures. Texas law allows non-physicians to treat CoolScupting patient sunder the direct supervision of the physician. They have all undergone extensive training and received advanced training at CoolSculpting University's intense program in order to diagnose and treat patients for optimal results. As the medical supervisor and with my 18 years of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I am on site and available to answer any questions or address concerns should they arise. Our providers confer with me often about the best treatment plans for patients deciding between CoolSculpting, liposuction, and tummy tucks. Our CoolSculpting patients are treated as carefully and specifically as our surgical patients, even though CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical procedure which does not require anesthesia. Because of the high level of professionalism in our office, our patients are very satisfied and confident that they are getting the best CoolSculpting treatments from our certified providers.

Applying the coolsculpting applicator is not difficult and any tech can do it.  The hard part is mapping the areas of treatment prior to applicator placement and having a skilled and knowledgeabe person who can determine the correct applicator, the correct contour mouth that accompanies the applicator, and the correct number of cycles needed to get the appropriate result in that area.  Of course, plastic surgery practices have plastic surgeons who can guide the coolsculpting staff on these issues since they have experience with fat reduction.  Having physician supervision is highly important.  

CoolSculpting should be performed by a trained, certified CoolSculpting technician, nurse, or physician.  The practice/facility in which you are having the treatment performed should also be CoolSculpting certified. The manner in which the applicators are placed onto the body is very technician dependent and if one does not handle positioning properly, results can be displeasing.