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I had a baby 6 months ago. Should I have Coolsculpting now or later? (photos)

I am 6 1/2 months post partum from my last child.I gained a whopping 60lbs with him. I have 25 more pounds to go. I am actively dieting and exercising. I have always had the lower belly bulge even before I had kids and my legs have always been troublesome as far as rubbing together. I am 5'10'' large build and currently weigh 196.My normal weight is 170-175. I have been researching coolsculpting and wonder if I should go ahead and do it now or wait until I have finished losing all my weight?

Doctor Answers 7

Best CoolSculpting Candidates are Close to Ideal Weight

December 23rd, 2014
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The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting is a man or woman who is happy with their overall weight but unhappy with small pockets of stubborn fat that don't respond to diet or exercise. Good candidates have reasonable expectations of what this treatment can achieve and understand that it's not a weight loss tool. Because you are continuing to lose weight, you will probably find that you will achieve a better result if you wait until you are as close as possible to your goal. Better candidates tend to achieve better results with fewer complications.

Web reference: http://www.theplasticsurgeryclinic.com/non-surgical-procedures/coolsculpting

Frank Lista, MD

Coolsculpting now or later

September 16th, 2014
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An in person examination and consultation is needed to answer the question of whether to have coolsculpting now or later. If you are looking for a jump start then coolsculpting may be helpful. If you want to have full transformation, you may want to wait. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can discuss both surgical options and coolsculpting to determine which may be the most appropriate for you.

Web reference: http://www.drkrisreddy.com/coolsculpting.html

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
4.5 out of 5 stars 35 reviews

CoolSculpting after Pregnancy

April 15th, 2014
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Many patients gain more than 50 pounds with their pregnancy.  There are two schools of thought when it comes to CoolSculpting.  Some doctors feel that having the procedure even when you have more weight to lose will "jump start" your diet.  Other doctors feel that you should be closer to your ideal body weight before having the procedure.  I believe that both schools of thought are correct so it is really a matter of personal preference.  Would you be happier doing the procedure now or later? Please let me know what you decide and the results of your procedure.
Michele S. Green, MD

Michele S. Green, MD
New York Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 60 reviews

I had a baby six months ago. Should I have coolsculpting now or later?

March 3rd, 2014
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Coolsculpting is a noninvasive procedure that eliminates fat cells by a freezing process that induces programmed cell death. The decision of now or later is strictly yours. However, undergoing Coolsculting now may galvanize you to continue on your course of postpartum weight loss.
Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS
Washington Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Now or Later?

February 20th, 2014
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Thank you for you question. If you are in fact within 10-15% of your ideal body weight, It is important to continue with your dieting and exercise regimen.This will assure that when you undergo the Cool Sculpting procedure you will see the maximum results. If you unable to get close to your ideal weight based on BMI you may be a candidate for laser assisted liposuction. Be sure to consult a board certified physician and discuss a range of treatment options before commitment to any single treatment method.
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Daniel Shapiro, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 101 reviews

Appropriate BMI for Coolsculpting or Liposonix

February 15th, 2014
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Your current BMI is 28.1.  Ideally your BMI should be less than 20 for a non-invasive fat removal procedure such as Coolsculpting.  This is because with a BMI above 20 you may not be able to readily see the results. Additionally, I encourage you to investigate Liposonix which is a great alternative to Coolsculpting.  If you are unable to reach this goal, you may be a candidate for laser assisted microcannular liposuction such as SmartLipo or SlimLipo.
Matthew Doppelt, DO

Matthew Doppelt, DO
Knoxville Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

CoolSculpting after pregnancy

February 15th, 2014
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This is a great question. In my opinion, if you are not within 10-15% of your ideal body weight then you should continue with your diet and exercise to lose the remaining weight. Once you are closer to your ideal body weight then CoolSculpting can be done to get rid of the stubborn bulges of fat that have not gone away with diet or exercise. Remember, CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure, it is more of a body contouring treatment. Good luck to you!
Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS
Sherman Oaks General Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.