What Are the Odds of Contour Deformities with Zeltiq CoolSculpt?

If cool sculpting is performed by expert physician, then it is safe and very rare to experience any odd contouring.  Coolsculpting is an excellent form of non-invasive  fat reduction for the right patient. Some applicators take 1 or 2 hours but the new advantage applicators take only 35 minutes and have significantly less risk for delayed onset pain (especially in the abdomen). Results are seen at 2 months and typically 1-3 treatments will be necessary on each area to achieve ideal results. The number of treatments depends on the amount of fat there and the patient's goals.  There is not downtime and the results can be impressive in the right patient.  We also use the Zimmer Z-wave for improved patient comfort and added results. The best candidates are those who are in pretty good shape with areas of stubborn fat that won't go away no matter what.My best,Sheila Nazarian, MD, MMMBeverly Hills, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

                  It’s
unusual to have contour irregularities following coolsculpting because the
techniques evenly distributes cold to the involved areas. Rarely, asymmetry can
occur when the applicator head is applied in an asymmetric manner.

                  In
the short term, asymmetry is usually always related to differential swelling
and usually resolves spontaneously. It’s important to realize that it may take
3-4 months to see the final result following coolsculpting and that multiple
treatments may occasionally be needed. 

Even though contour problems may occur after Coolsculpting, the risk is very minimal.  As long as you're a good candidate for the procedure, you should look great afterward!

As Zeltiq is not invasive and doesn't remove more than 20 to 25% of the fat after one treatment there is enough buffer to smoothen the periphery unlike liposuction, that if not feathered enough, can leave a depression.  Some people may need adjacent areas treated but CoolSculpting is designed for focal areas not whole body contour reduction.

The odds of contour deformities are quite slim and your physician should have an aesthetic eye to make sure everything is done in proportion.

If the coolsculpting is performed an expert coolsculpting center under appropriate supervision of a board certified physician then it is unlikely to have contour deformities with coolsculpting.

Cool sculpting can lead to a contour deformity if it is done in an area where the fat distribution is misunderstand such as the inner thigh.

Contour deformities and depressions are very rare with CoolSculpting but can occur.  The design of the suction and cooling plates are such that a tapered effect rather than a cookie cutter punch should be achieved.

Zeltiq CoolSculpting is an exceptional tool for removing localized, fat deposits.  There are few side effect, and patients find they can return to work or either the afternoon of their procedure - at the latest the next day.

Contour deformities are very rarely occur from a CoolSculpting treatment.  CoolSculpting uses a slow, even freezing of the fat in a treatment area.  Since the fat cells are gradually dissolved, they are slowly removed by your own body over the next 4-8 months.  This leaves no irregularities or contour issues on the area. 

Liposuction is where the fat is suctioned out and removed in a rapid process.  The speed of this invasive technique does have the possibility for leaving contour deformities, where too little or too much fatty tissue were removed. 

Unlike liposuction which is invasive and can cause dimpling or contour deformities, Coolscuplting by Zeltiq freezes the fat in a specific area and does not have those side effects.  Because the fat and the skin surrounding it shrinks uniformly you have none of those potential side effects.