Am I too fat for CoolSculpting? What's a good alternative?

Question

I'm 5'5 and 175 lbs, which puts my BMI at a disappointing 29 right now. I have poor genetics and my weight goes to problem areas which I need to target more than anything else (flanks and outer thighs). I'm in the mid of my highest and lowest weight atm but always had these problem areas. I have a consult booked but it would be embarrassing than being told I'm too fat for CoolSculpting. Is there an alternative non-surgical lipo I should look into? Or should I be looking into laser/surgical lipo?

Frank Lista, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for your question. It's difficult to say without seeing any photos. It also really depends on how much fat you're looking to have removed. We typically see a 20-25% reduction in fat per CoolSculpting treatment. For some this is enough and others might require multiple treatments. It's totally normal to treat one area anywhere from 1-3 times (with treatments spaced several weeks apart). That said if you're looking for a more dramatic result, then liposuction could be a better option for you. In both cases, neither procedure should be treated as a means of losing weight. We typically recommend that for both CoolSculpting and liposuction you're within or close to your goal weight, and what you're looking to eliminate is unwanted fat, resistant to diet and exercise. That said, you should definitely have your CoolSculpting consultation and not feel embarrassed if the treatment is not the right one for you. It's when we have all the information that we make the best decisions for ourselves and our bodies. If you're interested in liposuction you'll need to book a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Giving663755, It is difficult to say for sure without pictures, but I think a consult is always a good idea to gather information from an experienced provider that is doing an examination of you.  You may need multiple cycles or sessions of Coolsculpting for targeted fat reduction-as you know, its not for weight loss. I think the other nonsurgical fat reduction treatments are similar to coolsculpting.  If you are open to surgery, you will get more shaping and fat reduction in a shorter amount of time, and may also get some skin tightening (like with the Renuvion device)-the tradeoff of course is having to have small scars, anesthesia and wear a compression garment.  I do have patients that don't want surgery under any circumstance and are happy to take their time and treat multiple areas with Coolsculpting. Find a Plastic Surgeon you are comfortable with and just have a consult. Good luck, Dr. Doolabh

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

coolsculpting and even liposuction are not for those who are overweight. you may need peptides or hormonal therapy for weight loss. liposuction can be used for contouring, coolsculpting for small problem areas.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Just based on your numbers, I would not say that you are necessarily too fat to have CoolSculpting.  Ultimately, an examination of you will be needed to determine if you might be a good candidate for the procedure or not, and I would recommend that you proceed with the consultation that you have scheduled.

Dmitriy Schwarzburg, MD · Answer

While CoolSculpting does work quicker and with less sessions for people with less amounts of fat, it will still eliminate fat in any case. Also keep in mind that if you respond well, the treatment may still be very effective. That being said, when it comes to minimally invasive options for fat removal, CoolSculpting is your best bet. You may need several sessions for optimal results.

Am I too fat for CoolSculpting? What's a good alternative?

Answers (8)

Answer: Too fat for CoolSculpting?

Answer: Too fat for CoolSculpting?

Answer: Could still work

Answer: Could still work

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Am I too fat for CoolSculpting? What's a good alternative?

Answers (8)

Answer: Too fat for CoolSculpting?

Answer: Too fat for CoolSculpting?

Answer: Could still work

Answer: Could still work

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CoolSculpting

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.