What happens to fat consumed after CoolSculpting?

Question

If a person with a normal BMI gets CoolSculpting and they continue to eat the same amount of grams of fat and calories and exercise the same amount, where in the body will the fat go? Since after CoolSculpting, fat cells are removed from the body, but there are obviously fat cells still remaining, and we all know that fat cells can get bigger and smaller. Will the consumed fat go to other areas of the body that weren't treated with CoolSculpting, causing other areas of the body to get bigger?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Interesting question. Short answer, yes.Consumed fat does not "go" directly to fat cells (Coolsculpting or not); this and other foodstuffs are broken down and then stored or utilized as the body demands. EXCESS calories (whether they are from fat, carb, or protein) are stored in the body's cells, and cells that are killed (via Coolsculpting) or removed (via liposuction) cannot be "fed."However, the remaining fat cells, wherever they are in the body, can indeed be "fed" if your body does not immediately utilize the consumed calories. So the remaining cells do indeed get fatter if you eat more than you burn.To get back to the details of your question, however, if you have a normal BMI, and eat the same, and exercise the same, your weight will remain unchanged--IF you burn as much as you eat. You didn't say you ate as much as you burned, only that you ate "the same," and exercised "the same," and then asked about fat grams. Eaten fat doesn't turn into fat, excess calories do! SO, regardless of where your body starts, you must eat less than you burn in order to lose weight, or exactly burn what you eat in order to stay at the same weight you were--Coolsculpting or not.Coolsculpting (or liposuction) removes some of a person's fat cells, but you still have to diet and exercise appropriately or you will continue to gain weight and need another Coolsculpting (or liposuction) session! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

William Groff, DO · Answer

If you have a normal BMI and get CoolSculpting, then it's important to maintain your diet and exercise regimen so that you will continue to reap the benefits of your newly contoured shape. If you consume too many calories for your body to burn, it will begin to store the excess in fat cells. The fat will be distributed equally throughout the fat cells in your body. You will have fewer fat cells in the treated area, but there still will be some, so yes, you can end up “stretching out” those cells with extra fat. You will, however, have less fat there than you would have had without the procedure.Most important is to keep this question theoretical: once you get your CoolSculpting, only eat as many calories as you can burn through lifestyle and exercise. Be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist for CoolSculpting so you can learn how to maximize your results and keep them long-term.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. No, this does not cause untreated areas to get bigger. Any gained weight will be distributed throughout your body in the same way it always did prior to the treatment. Due to the decrease in the number of fat cells in the treated area, there will be less weight gain seen in that area.Regards,

Stanley Harper, MD · Answer

After CoolSculpting, the frozen fat will break down in your body and over time, pass out of your body in your urine. Thanks for your questions.

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

Hi Luv2jog, thank you for your excellent question.  CoolSculpting is a revolutionary non-invasive and non-surgical treatment that is perfect for those who are within 10-20 pounds of their goal weight.  Best results will be experienced by those who take on healthy diet and exercise practices as a way of life.  Many of our patients have already been eating right and working out, but find that there are areas that simply do not go away on their own.  If you can pinch it, we can treat it.  As for post treatment distribution of new fat, this varies from patient to patient.  For most, the new fat will distribute more evenly throughout the body as a whole.  Whereas pre-treatment with CoolSculpting, they may have always found that the fat accumulated in the abdomen, it would now add evenly elsewhere.  For most, this is not something that is noticeable.  For others who actually gain weight, these patients may find that particular areas are bigger, but not the areas that were treated with CoolSculpting.  Not gaining weight is the key.  Unfortunately, some patients think that because they had the CoolSculpting treatment, they can now stop worrying about living a healthy lifestyle.  That is not a proactive plan.  I hope this information is helpful.  God luck with everything!

Adam Wallach, MD · Answer

This is a great question. With a consistent weight and diet, coolsculpting is a great option to target stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Cool sculpting destroys fat cells but does not eliminate all the subcutaneous fat within the treatment site. While you will see a reduction of fat and improved shape in the treated areas, the pattern of weight gain for your body should remain the same as it was prior to coolsculpting. The difference will be in the appearance and  shape of the treated areas. For example, if you had a small bulging area of stubborn fat on your lower abdomen that is now much flatter after coolsculpting, the lower abdomen should still gain weight as it did prior to treatment, however the appearance of the weight gain in the treated area should now reflect the  improved shape.

Nancy Becker, DO · Answer

After cool sculpting the fat cells are absorbed by your body like a bruise and are excreted by your kidneys.  This process takes 3 months.  You will lose at the minimal 20 % of the treated area.  Some people are high responders and can lose 30-40% of their fat cells. You lose the fat cells in the area treated.  If you do not gain more weight you will notice a big difference!  Just eat and excercise the same as you were before the procedure.

Michael E. Ciaravino, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat cell reduction procedure that essentially freezes your fat cells. These cells perish at frigid temperatures, subsequently metabolized by your body and eventually eliminated through your urine. It is recommended to stay hydrated to continually flush out these fat cells from your body.

What happens to fat consumed after CoolSculpting?

Answers (8)

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