Does CoolSculpting always remove 20-25% of fat regardless of how much fat there is to begin with?

Question

If coolsculpting removes 20-25% of the fat in the area, it sounds like with each treatment, it removes less and less fat. For example, second session will be 25% of 75% being 19%, third session would be 14%. Thus, there is always diminishing returns with each treatment. Is that how coolsculpting works?

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting will destroy around 20% of the fat cells and on the second treatment it will do the same 20% reduction of the left over fat cells. Usually after second round one should see significant improvement of the area of concern. If we go to 3rd and 4th round then there is always a question if the person is an ideal candidate for coolsculpting or not. Hope this helps.

William Groff, DO · Answer

At our center, we add Zimmer Z-wave radial pulsed therapy after CoolSculpting to  get more beautiful results and increase the amount of fat removed to up to 35% per treatment. When you come back for your second treatment, you’ll have fewer fat cells than you did before your first treatment, but CoolSculpting will still remove up to 35% of those remaining fat cells. And so on, for your next treatment. When considering the initial volume of fat, then yes your calculations are more or less correct, but that’s not an example of diminishing returns. It’s an example of a diminishing waistline! (or other treatment area). You can’t remove what isn’t there, of course! Many of our patients are completely satisfied after just one treatment. Be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert with CoolSculpting to get beautiful, uniform, and satisfying results.

Janet Allenby, DO · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. CoolSculpting will always remove 20%-25% of the fat in an area. So if you have less fat in an area because you had 1 treatment, you will still receive a 20%-25% reduction of the remaining fat. The treatment does not become less effective with more treatments. Most patients see incredible results with multiple sessions. Please consult with a local physician in person to determine what your best treatment plan will be. Good luck!

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

Yes- you are correct. CoolSculpting will remove about 25% of the fat with each treatment. So each treatment actually removes slightly less fat. That being said, the goal is never to remove all the fat- it's simply to contour the area to match the rest of your body. Liposuction will remove about 70% of the fat, so this is a more effective option if you have downtime. Both CoolSculpting and Liposuction are for contouring only- you will not lose weight with these treatments.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting will destroy approximately 20% of the fat remaining with repeated treatments. 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. VASER with ThermiRF is a great alternative. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

A CoolSculpting treatment will normally cause destruction of 20-25% of the fat cells in the treated area.  In my opinion, this is true for each treatment.  This percentage is for destruction of the fat cells that exist at the time of the treatment though.  So, 4-5 treatments will not produce 100% destruction.  The first treatment would destroy 20-25% of fat cells, leaving 75-80% remaining.  The second session will still destroy 20-25% of the fat cells that are remaining after the first treatment, and so forth.

Cavendish Clinic - Fitzrovia · Answer

Thank you for your question. In theory your maths are correct! - however what we find is that on larger patients we can debulk and on slimmer patients we sculpt. Both give great results and we can really deliver a bespoke treatment which you have control of. Your clinic will advise you on yor suitability and give you an idea if you would benefit from a second treatment. Most patients are very happy after one treatment.

Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery - Grand Rapids · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Coolsculpting destroys 20-25% of fat cells with each treatment. So even on 2nd treatment its destroying 20-25% of remaining fat cells. Good luck!
Holly, RN

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. CoolSculpting will always remove 20%-25% of the fat in an area. So if you have less fat in an area because you had 1 treatment, you will still receive a 20%-25% reduction of the remaining fat. The treatment does not become less effective with more treatments. Most patients see incredible results with multiple sessions. Please consult with a local physician in person to determine what your best treatment plan will be. Best of luck!

Beth Santmyire-Rosenberger, MD · Answer

Indeed, the average number of cells removed per cycle is 25%.  This is the total number of cells within the treated area within the applicator.  As the sizes of the pocket of fat decreases, you may need a smaller applicator to correctly treat the area.  In a few patients we have treated small areas that remain with Kybella.  Using Kybella off the chin is off label, but effective.

Does CoolSculpting always remove 20-25% of fat regardless of how much fat there is to begin with?

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