What Are the Most Effective Coolsculpting Devices?

Question

Which coolsculpting machines can produce results comparable to a traditional liposuction? Is there a specific brand one should be looking for?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

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.

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

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.

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Steven H. Williams, MD · Answer

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.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

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

Melda A. Isaac, MD · Answer

Any machine that claims to freeze fat but is not produced by Zeltiq, is not a CoolSculpting machine. CoolSculpting is the only FDA-approved technique that uses cryolipolysis to freeze away fat for good. Please be sure to find a board-certified dermatologist who has expertise with Zeltiq's CoolSculpting to get excellent and safe results.

Daniel Shapiro, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is only one company FDA-cleared to perform this procedure - Zeltiq. There are not different machines or brands that perform CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting results in a 20-25% reduction in fat, so while the results are good, they are not comparable to traditional liposuction.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Cool sculpting (Zeltiq)  is not as effective as liposuction surgery in removal of adipose tissue. Liposuction surgery can often eliminate diet and exercise resistant adipose tissue of a given area with one procedure.

	However,  cool sculpting is a noninvasive ( with no downtime) technique of removal of isolated adipose tissue that results in 20-25% reduction of the fat in the area treated. Repeated treatments may be necessary/ helpful.
	If   a patient presents  as a good candidate for liposuction surgery ( diet and exercise resistant adipose tissue with overlying good-quality skin elasticity),  then  liposuction surgery is probably the best way to go if the patient is interested in a single procedure.

	I hope this helps.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Greetings~

	There is only one company that makes the device that is the 'real' Coolsculpting and that is Zeltiq.  The names are sometimes used interchangeably.  Coolsculpting is best used for specific stubborn areas of fat and, when used in the right patients, it can yield excellent results very similar to those of liposuction.  We offer liposuction as well as Coolsculpting in our practice and make recommendations on a case by case basis.  It's best to have an exam with someone who can advise you of your options and help you decide if traditional liposuction or Coolsculpting is best for you. Coolsculpting can be great for people with distinct stubborn areas of fat on the abdomen, love handles and bra fat just to name a few.

	Good luck~

	Dr. Grant Stevens