Does CoolSculpting Work? I've been told it's only a one time treatment and results last.

The simple answer to your question is yes CoolSculpting does in fact work. Generally we recommend a two treatment protocol for patients considering the procedure. You will generally see up to a 20% reduction in the fat layer of the treated areas after one treatment, but if you do a second treatment 30 days after the first the result can in fact be doubled. This two treatment protocol plus a post treatment massage regimen has been proven to provide best results. My best recommendation would be to seek out the office of a board certified plastic surgeon and schedule yourself for a consultation. Good luck!

CoolSculpting is a great, FDA-approved treatment for fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks. It can be used safely for off-label treatment of the upper arms, inner/outer thighs, bra-strap area and above the knees. The advance cooling technology selectively targets and eliminates fat cells gently and gradually without affecting the surrounding tissue.Patients in our office have seen an average fat reduction of 20-25% with each treatment. Depending on the patient's body composition and outcome goals, it may take more than one treatment to achieve optimal results. It takes about 2-3 months to get a general idea of the final results. The results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable healthy lifestyle. I recommend scheduling a consultation to determine if your an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting.

CoolSculpting works via a process called cryoliposis, which is basically the selective destruction of fat cells. The number of treatments needed vary from patient to patient. Something to keep in mind is that it is difficult to look at one area of the tummy, for example the lower abdomen, without looking at the entire area holistically. For the absolute best results, the upper and lower stomach should be treated as well as the flanks/love handles. That way the entire area is being treated and results will be more uniform and noticeable. For some patients, just one treatment per area is fine but generally speaking, most people need at least two treatments. If you are considering doing CoolSculpting, I recommend approaching the treatment holistically and doing two treatments per area. The results will last for as long as you are able to maintain them. Think about it this way, if someone gets liposuction, the fat removed is gone. That specific fat will not come back BUT if the person does not exercise or maintain a healthy lifestyle, then they may develop fat again in those areas. It is difficult for any doctor to say anything is gone forever. In regards to CoolSculpting, there is not an expiration date on the results. The long-term results depend on you. It is always best to make a consultation appointment with your doctor to see if CoolSculpting is right for you. 

We perform Coolsculpting in our practice and our patients are very happy with the results.   I have also done it myself and I truly believe it works.  The fat cells in each bulge being treated will undergo a programmed cell death induced by the freezing of cells and those dead cells will be removed by your immune system.  You can expect a 20-25% decrease in the size of the bulge which you should see somewhere between 3 weeks and 3 months.  If you are happy with the results but desire a greater reduction, the same area can be treated again.  The procedure is safe but requires a physician evaluation.  For instance, if you have a hernia in an area you want treated, I do not believe it is safe because part of your bowel could get frozen which can lead to serious problems.  Patient age is not an issue.

Coolsculpting is the best option for nonsurgical fat reduction. With each treatment, 20% of the fat cells on average are killed. However, patient selection is key. Most patients experience a mild tenderness for a short time post treatment, and the fat cells that are killed due not return. However, the remaining fat cells can grow or shrink with weight changes. We have successfully performed coolsculpting in a wide range of age including patients in their 70s. Consult in person with a board certified physician who can offer both liposuction and coolsculpting to have the best possible treatment options.