What Are the Most Effective Coolsculpting Devices?

No device can shrink fat away without surgery as much as liposuction can do in one treatment. Some patients prefer not to have surgery and others may not have the down time.  In those circumstances, Zeltiq 's CoolSculpting is a great choice.  Non-invasive and no down-time. You may have several treatments, each lasting one hour per site during which you can read, watch a movie, or listen to music. Do not expect the same result as surgery; that won't occur.  it is average though that 20% of fat may be reduced after four months by the body's reaction to getting rid of the frozen (killed) fat cells.

Zeltiq is the only
company who offers the noninvasive, nonsurgical fat-loss technique
known as CoolSculpting. Zeltiq's scientists developed
cryolipolysis(TM) – a patented process that lowers the temperature
of fat sufficiently to trigger cell death, otherwise known as
apoptosis without injuring adjacent skin cells. The destroyed fat
cells are then eliminated from the body over the next few months
through the lymphatic system, eventually being excreted through the
urine.

Zeltiq's
CoolSculpting removes up to 20% to 30% of fat cells from a treated
area during one session. Most patients tolerate the CoolSculpting
procedure well, and experience only mild sensations such as coolness
or numbness. Side effects may include swelling and bruising that can
last a few days to two weeks. Results are comparable to liposuction,
but most patients need more than one session to achieve results
similar to tumescent liposculpture.

CoolSculpting has
been so successful that Zeltiq has added a number of new applicators
to their system that can treat a variety of areas, including under
the chin, back fat, arm fat, and flanks. The CoolSmooth applicator is
able to treat areas that have a thin layer of fat that is not
“pinchable.” DualSculpting, which we offer at our center, allows
us to treat two parts of the body at once. CoolAdvantage is an
applicator that works almost twice as fast as regular CoolSculpting.
I have heard
reports of knockoff, copycat companies out there, but as far as I
know they are not FDA approved and do not have results backed by
scientific evidence. Don't take a chance on getting suboptimal
results from a copycat or significant injury to other tissues. It is
just too risky. Please find a board-certified dermatologist who has
been certified by Zeltiq as a CoolSculpting practitioner.

Zeltiq is the company that makes the CoolSculpt machine.  The literature will state that there is about a 20 to 25 percent reduction in fat. We have seen this to be true in our office. We typically recommend more than one cycle per individual area. Every patient is different, so best to get a consult from a certified, experienced CoolSculpt office. It is a very nice non-surgical option, especially for those who cannot have post surgical downtime.  We also do liposuction.  There are benefits and downsides to each procedure.  Best to see a board certified plastic surgeon who does both and together you will make a plan that is right for you.

There is only one CoolSculpting device and it is manufactured by Zeltiq. While it is a great non surgical treatment for fat reduction, it is not as powerful as traditional liposuction. As a non invasive treatment, CoolSculpting works well at targeting stubborn pockets of fat in patients who are close to their ideal weight. There is no downtime, which is a great advantage as well. It is best to obtain a consultation to see if you are a candidate for this treatment.

As the devices get better over the next 5 yrs hopefully they will get better results but so far they are mainly used to take down 1/2 inch or so of fat or give minimal results if you have only a tiny spot you would like reduced.  None of the various devices for fat reduction give anything comparable to the great results from tumescent liposuction under local anesthesia  with the micro cannulas.  When you want something that is easy and you know you will see a difference, then tumescent liposuction is the way to go. For roughly the same amount of money, I would bet on a sure thing.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD