CoolSculpting, belly fat and diabetes. Is there a benefit?

Question

I have type 2 diabetes. My A1C fluctuates between 5.3 and 6.4. I walk about 25 miles per week and go to the gym 3 times a week. I am not overweight by much, but I have belly fat that I cannot seem to get rid of. I have heard that type 2 diabetes is directly related to belly fat, so would cool sculpting benefit me in my quest to win the fight with my A1C?

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting is an excellent way to permanently remove stubborn belly fat. I have successfully treated many patients with type 2 diabetes. There are no clinical studies that I know of that show improvements in blood sugar or A1C, so I wouldn’t rely on CoolSculpting to improve your diabetes. However, a few of my patients have anecdotally reported needing less insulin after their fatty bulge was removed with liposculpture. Please find a board-certified dermatologist to evaluate you to determine if you are a candidate for CoolSculpting.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Most of cardiac and diabetic risks are related to visceral fat around the intestines residing behind the muscle wall. CoolSculpting attacks the fat above the muscle wall underneath the skin.

Mark E. Mason, MD · Answer

Great question. We perform many CoolSculpting treatments in our practice, and have even treated a patient recently with T1D. Do not expect a difference in your A1C with CoolSculpting. While it is effective at removing stubborn pockets of fat, it is not going to improve your diabetes. That said, we have found that it is safe for diabetic patients, and the results are excellent. Best of luck to you!

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

CoolSculpting will help to reduce belly fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Though, there will be an improvement in the appearance of your belly fat, it is not a weight loss solution. It also won't have an effect on your diabetes or A1C level. Make sure you see an experienced provider to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for the treatment.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is good for removing stubborn areas of fat that can't be improved with diet or exercise. It is recommended to be at or near your ideal weight to get good results. Also, keep in mind, for best results with Coolsculpting, a combination approach is needed. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing to improve your final results. In our office we use Coolsculpting and Vanquish for a "Fire and Ice" treatment and are getting great outcomes. However, VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF would give you best results for body shaping, but would require more downtime. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Great question and there is no proven co-relation of improvement of HBA1c with coolsculpting. Now if you are close to your ideal body weight and want to get rid of unwanted fat coolsculpting will work great as long as the fat is not intra abdominal. In our experience loosing that extra bulge has motivated people to spend more time on fitness to keep the diabetes under check.

Julie A. Maughan, MD · Answer

CoolSculpt works beautifully to reduce pockets of subcutaneous fat.  However, unfortunately, in regards to diabetes, I am not aware of any studies that demonstrate a reduced A1C level after Coolsculpting.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

We have treated many type 2 and insulin dependent diabetics with Coolsculpting.   We've not heard from any of our patients that they have had any substantial changes to their A1C but we have any numerous patients tell us that their insulin usage or medication usage has changed after Coolsculpting.  If the stubborn belly fat bothers you, Coolsculpting can offer a solution that is safe and effective.  If it's weight or A1C you really wish to see change than diet and exercise are key.   Best of luck!!

Vinay Aggarwal, MD · Answer

CoolSculpting will help reduce stubborn abdominal fat that is resistant to diet and exercise, but it is not a weight loss solution. Each treatment will reduce fat by approximately 20%-25%. It does not target intra-abdominal fat/visceral fat that is located between the internal organs, as opposed to subcutaneous fat which is removed with non-invasive or surgical procedures. This type of fat can only be lost through diet and exercise and is known to be a factor with diabetes.

Adrienne E. Stewart, MD · Answer

There is certainly no danger in performing CoolSculpting on patients with diabetes. My husband is a type I diabetic and has had several CoolSculpting treatments without complications and has basically erased his love handles. Your question about whether or not this would improve A1c levels because of the fat removal has not been studied to my knowledge but I do not believe it would have an effect. Adrienne Stewart MD FAAD

CoolSculpting, belly fat and diabetes. Is there a benefit?

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