Grant Stevens, MD

Unfortunately, some of the information you have received is incorrect.  Once you are an adult, you do not gain or lose fat cells.  If you gain weight, the fat cells you already have expand and conversely, if you lose weight, the fat cells you have shrink.  You can't gain fat cells.  You can lose fat cells for good by having them treated and destroyed with Coolsculpting or by having them removed with liposuction.  Losing fat cells however does not render you immune from future weight gain.  If your eating habits are poor or excessive, you will gain weight.  If after Coolsculpting or liposuction you maintain healthy eating habits and exercise, your weight won't change.  Hope that helps. Best of luck.

The provider you met with is correct.  Though Coolsculpting is a simple procedure at first glance, there truly is a level of technique and skill involved with achieving a great outcome.  First of all it's important to determine if someone is or isn't a good candidate--does an area have the subcutaneous fat that is ideal for Coolsculpting or is the problem skin laxity or deeper visceral fat?  Experience in the artful placement of applicators for the best outcomes is crucial as well.  An inappropriately placed applicator can leave indentations that are unsightly and difficult to correct.   Find a provider with level of experience and expertise that makes you comfortable and that they can explain to you why they feel their plan would work well for you.   Take your time in deciding and if you aren't comfortable, find another provider.  Best of luck.

For anyone that may not be an ideal surgical candidate due to health history, Coolsculpting is a great non-surgical option. Without an examination and consultation in person, it's difficult to say how many cycles would be ideal but from your photos it appears that you would potentially be a good candidate for treatment on your abdomen and flanks (sides).  Coolsculpting can help you sculpt your mid section without risking your health-- It's been proven to be a safe and effective treatment. 

It's always best to check with the surgeon that performed your gallbladder surgery prior to any procedure within 6 months of your surgery to make sure it's okay to proceed.  .  If the area you are Coolsculpting is not on the abdomen, then there is no problem whatsoever.

Hi and thank you for your question!

We decide how many cycles at the consultation, which is based on the assessment and measurement using the cool mini template. You definitely want to allow for overlapping of the cycles, so there is not pockets of fat left in between treatment areas. Its hard to say for sure how many cycles without assessing you in person. It does appear you could benefit from treatment not only in the central portion, but also sculpting along/below the jawline, as long as the applicator fits well and there is enough subcutaneous fat there to treat. We also have found that Alastin's Transform Body cream has been not only improving results overall, but also results area showing faster, but skin is tightening and texture is improving, as well. We recommend all of our patients use this with coolsculpting.

Best,

Dr. Grant Stevens

Hi and thanks for your question!

Cool Mini is very effective to reduce subcutaneous fat under the chin. However, and experienced provider needs to assess you to see if you're a good candidate and if this would help you achieve the results you are looking for. If part of your concern involved loose skin you may need something more geared for skin tightening, such as Ultherapy. Also, you may need more definition in your chin and jawline, as this is often part of why we see less definition and structure in the lower face and neck. I recommend a consultation with an experienced practice and provider, as experience and training are essential with these types of treatments.

Best,

Dr. Grant Stevens

Hi and thank you for your question!

We definitely have found Cool Mini to be the most effective and efficient non surgical treatment for reducing fat in the double chin area and providing some skin tightening, as well. Liposuction is the best surgical option however, will have more downtime and be more involved. Cool Mini has basically no downtime. Possible to have mild swelling but not enough to have to "hide out" and most often it is not even detectable. We assess each patient in detail and recommend the appropriate amount of cycles per treatment. Most patients need two treatments, however since we have been adding Alastin's Transform Body product, more patients are seeing results even after one session. If you would like the non-surgical route, I would definitely recommend cool mini. Please find an experience provider and practice.

Best,

Dr. Grant Stevens

Hi and thank you for your question.

Coolsculpting in the only FDA approved machine that uses cryolipolysis. If you're seeing information that states otherwise, it is completely inaccurate. There are so many reasons why this shouldn't be done by a lay person at home, safety being first and foremost. There are specific steps that must be taken and certain supplies used to not damage or injure the patient. Also, there are numerous intricacies that come only with extensive training and hands on experience over many years. While it is non surgical, it IS permanent fat reduction and permanent changes, so historically when in the hands of inexperienced providers, we have seen many issues, including burns, scars and terrible skin and fat depressions, divots and ripples, among others. Given the extensive experience of our PA's and NP's, we see the problem cases from clinics around the country, so we clearly know the dangers in inexperienced and untrained hands.

Best,

Dr. Grant Stevens

Hi and thank you for your question!

Coolsculpting reduces subqutaneous fat over 3 months time after each treatment, often 2 treatments are needed for ideal result. It certainly will not create loose skin and if anything, the inflammation that occurs can potentially result in some tightening, however, we say this is icing on the cake, as it is a fat reduction device and not a skin tightening device. The exception is the submental area, upper neck/ below the chin, which does have an FDA approval for skin tightening, as well as fat reduction. That said, since we have our patients now using Alastin's Transform Body Cream along with their coolsculpting treatments, we are seeing much more skin tightening effects from the treatments, in all areas of the body, as well as quicker and more dramatic results! EmSculpt and its newest version, which we have, called Cooltone, are for building and strengthening muscles, and not for fat reduction or for skin tightening. While they will pair wonderfully together (Coosculpt and Cooltone) they have two different applications. Definitely have some consults done with very experienced practices, as this can make a big difference in treatment results.

Best,

Dr. Grant Stevens  

Hi there and thanks for your question!

Coolsculpting has been in use and FDA approved since 2009, with over 7 million treatments done worldwide. Over those nine years, the treatment results, the machines, the applicators have been updated, upgraded and enhanced, which has allowed for improved results and more efficient treatments. Most patients need two treatments, sometimes a 3rd for fine tuning or if there is a greater amount of subcutaneous fat to begin with. Our patient results have certainly improved over that time, along with updates and upgrades and of course data and extensive studies that have been conducted by the company over the years. We have nine machines and have done more treatments than any practice in the world, so we feel confident in coolsculpting and being able to achieve the best results for our patients. Obviously, not everyone is a good candidate, so a detailed consultation is required to assess and review this with each patient.

Best of Luck,

Dr. Grant Stevens