Will the contouring created by Coolsculpting remain as I continue to lose weight? (Photos)

Question

I'm 56 and regardless of my weight, my shape has always been barrel like. I was 116lbs @ 29 yrs (stopped menstruating due to so much weight loss!) and now 160lbs (down from 172) post menopausal. Same shape at 116lbs only a LOT less of it. As I continue to lose weight (working hard at it) I'm afraid my barrel waist will come back if I do Coolsculpting too soon, but I am going to a wedding on the French Riviera in September and for ONCE in my life, I would like a waist. I want to do this now!

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, the photos you posted are not visible on the site, so it is difficult to comment on your case specifically. If your barrel shape is caused primarily by fat distribution, then CoolSculpting may be able to contour a curvier waist. If it is due to your skeletal and muscular structure, you probably cannot have an hourglass shape. This can only be determined by meeting in person with a board-certified dermatologist who can evaluate your anatomy.
 
If you do feel you would benefit from CoolSculpting, once the fat cells are destroyed and eliminated from your body, they are gone for good. That means that your new proportions and shape will stay the same as you lose weight. It's important not to gain weight, however, as the fat cells that remain in the treated areas will swell. Though you will continue to maintain your CoolSculpting proportions, you could again develop stubborn fat, though less than you had before. Please find a board-certified dermatologist to contour your body with CoolSculpting.

Tina B. West, MD · Answer

:  The fat cells lost with the CoolSculpting procedure are lost for good! Your body does not replace them.  If your barrel shape is related to fat deposits under the skin (subcutaneous fat), then CoolSculpting may be the way to sculpt a waistline.  If your shape is related to a short waist and/or fat deposits around your internal organs (visceral fat), then CoolSculpting may not give you the results you are looking for.    Your continued weight loss in conjunction with CoolSculpting can enhance your overall results.  An in-person evaluation with a board-certified dermatologist is your first step!

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

I would not have concerns of losing a nice shape or new contour after liposuction while continuing to lose more weight. Although CoolSculpting is best to be done when people are close to their ideal body weight but can't lose the stubborn bulge, it can be done in individuals who show they are in the midst of a good diet and exercise program and are losing weight.

Janet Allenby, DO · Answer

Hello, Thank you for your question and photos. There are several factors to consider here. CoolSculpting has the best results for individuals who are at their ideal weight. This is because the fat cells are smaller, so more can be treated in one area. That being said, many use CoolSculpting during their weight loss journey as a reward. It will help you see more targeted results. If you use it to start shaping your abdomen the results should still be obvious once you loose more weight. We can't guarantee it, but it most likely will. You may want to continue on your weight loss journey for another month or two before starting your CoolSculpting treatments. This will allow them to work a little more for you, and you will still have enough time to see results. Best of luck, and congratulations on your weight loss!

Robert Heck, MD, FACS · Answer

You have a great question and congrats on your progress! With the photos it's hard for me to tell exactly how you lay out but I don't think you would love cool sculpting how your abdomen lays out currently. You could spend a lot of money on treatments and not get the "waist" you are wanting by vacation. To achieve that goal, keep working on your weight loss and do cool sculpting when you're closer to your goal weight for contouring rather than large volume reduction (many repeats). Best of luck!

Elbert T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your excellent question! Fortunately, fat cells frozen and killed through CoolSculpting are gone for good, meaning that no matter what stage in your weight loss you get the procedure those fat cells will always be gone. This could work to whittle your waist before you have reached your weight loss goal, and it will remain shaped that way throughout. This is assuming that your "barrel" shape is caused by the way your fat distributes, and not your skeletal structure which of course cannot be treated with CoolSculpting. It is typically recommended to hold off on getting CoolSculpting until you are at or very close to your ideal weight however because the procedure is designed to target smaller pockets of fat. It is also important to note that if you gain weight after CoolSculpting, fat cells remaining in the treated area can still expand causing your results to diminish. Good luck and have fun at the wedding!

Steven M. Camp, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question regarding CoolSculpting. Patients do best when they are within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight.  It sounds like you are on the right track with your weight loss and congrats on the hard work.  I would recommend working with a board certified plastic surgeon who offers Coolsculpting as they will be able to instruct you as to whether you are a Coolsculpting vs. liposuction vs. traditional weight loss (for now) candidate.  And best wishes on what sounds like a great upcoming trip. Enjoy!Cheers,Steven Camp MD

Alain Michon, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. Coolsculpting is great at treating stubborn fat. We recommend patients  to be withing 30 lbs of their ideal weight before initiating Coolscupting. It does sound like you can benefit from Coolsculpting. Reshaping after Coolsculpting should not be affected if you lose more weight afterward. I recommend seeing a Cool certified practice for a consultation and treatment plan. All the best and wishing you lots of fun in French Riviera, Dr. Michon

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