Unlike early versions of liposuction, CoolSculpting has no demonstrated association with either fat embolism or blood clots. It is a very safe procedure that works by lowering the temperature of fat cells sufficiently that they begin to destruct and are gradually eliminated through the lymph system. The only real side effects may be some redness, swelling or bruising after the procedure. These generally resolve within hours to days. You can improve the look of your results by adding radial pulsed therapy with Zimmer Z-Wave after your CoolSculpting session. It should be noted that not all liposuction is dangerous. At our center, liposuction is performed as tumescent liposculpture. This very safe procedure does not require general anesthesia, has quick healing and in 20 years, we have never had a blood clot or embolism. These side effects essentially don’t occur with tumescent liposculpture performed properly. Sometimes when a patient comes in for a CoolSculpting consult, we realize tumescent liposculpture is a quicker and less expensive alternative. It also works the opposite way…sometimes CoolSculpting is the best alternative if there isn’t too much fat and it is localized to discrete fatty bulges. Please find a board-certified dermatologist who is certified by Zeltiq to evaluate you for CoolSculpting, and also experienced in tumescent liposculpture, so you can be bikini-ready by summertime.