Does CoolSculpting permanently kill fat cells?

Thank you for your question. Throughout your lifetime, you generally do not gain or lose the number of fat cells you have - that is a predetermined, finite amount. Instead, the fat cells you do have can expand when you put on weight. CoolSculpting uses technology known as cryolipolysis or controlled freezing to crystallize some fat cells in the treatment area. The crystallized cells are eliminated over time through the body’s lymphatic system, so the results are permanent. However, if you gain weight after your CoolSculpting treatment, remaining cells can expand and alter your results. If your weight stays about the same after treatment, you can maintain your new shape for years because the total number of fat cells is reduced.

CoolSculpt will allow you to permanently lose fat cells. But keep in mind that unhealthy diets later in life post-Coolsculpt can still leave you susceptible to weight gain. A common misconception with weight gain and loss is the process of whether it involves fat cells or fat molecules. Here are the fundamental basics: Fat is a biomolecule used for energy in our body, fat cells store fat molecules. Weight gain is a process of fat cell expansion. Fat molecules (consumed by our diets) can be added to growing fat cells, but fat can be lost with shrinking fat cells (when we burn fat for energy). CoolSculpt freezes portions of the subcutaneous fat beneath our skin tissue. This fat is permanently removed and flushed from our body through excretion over a process of 3-4 months (your liver can only flush so many fat cells per day). Any remaining fat cells you have post-CoolSculpt will still expand and grow if you gain weight. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after CoolSculpt. Best, Dr. Anil Shah

Thank you for your good question. We are born with a finite number of fat cells. That number does not increase with weight gain. Instead, the cells you have become larger, creating unwanted rolls and bulges in the body contour. CoolSculpting uses a process known as cryolipolysis or controlled cooling to freeze and crystallize unwanted fat cells in a treatment area. The treated cells are flushed out through the body’s lymphatic system, so they are permanently removed. However, remaining fat cells in the area can expand over time if you gain weight again. This will change the results of your procedure and may necessitate an additional treatment in the future.