If Coolsculpting kills off fat cells, then where is body fat stored after the procedure?

Question

Since the procedure cuts down the number of fat cells in my body, do the remaining fat cells simple enlarge as necessary to hold the fat my body wants to store by it's natural processes? Does my body's fat storage capacity simply go down permanently? If so, then what does my body do with the fat it can't find room to store?

Anil Rajani, MD · Answer

Thank you, this is a great question! All adults have a fixed amount of fat cells which will continue to expand or contract depending on whether they gain or lose weight. After treatment, the fat cells die (in the specific area treated) and your own body will metabolize these cells and naturally excrete them from your system. The treatment does not prevent other fat cells that are active in the body from getting larger or smaller. This is why it is important to be a stable or ideal weight prior to treatment. Post treatment, weight will be evenly distributed throughout the remaining fat cells in the body. CoolSculpting reduces a certain percentage of those fat cells in specific treated areas. It is best to maintain a healthy diet and exercise, as the remaining fat cells can will continue to expand or contract. For more information regarding your question please see the video below. Good luck to you!

Tina B. West, MD · Answer

This is an excellent question. The CoolSculpting procedure destroys the fat cells in the treated area.  The remaining fat cells, in the treated area as well as the rest of the body, will continue to expand to store excess fat just as they always have.  This storage process is distributed evenly throughout your body. Similar to liposuction, good CoolSculpting candidates are people with localized areas of fat resistant to diet and exercise who maintain a fairly stable weight.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is targeted fat reduction in the treated area. Your body will still be able to store fat, but the amount of fat in specific areas will be reduced. Keep in mind, final results with Coolsculpting can take up to 3-4 months. For best results with Coolsculpting, I recommend a combination.  I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. VASER with ThermiRF is the best alternative if you get hyperplasia or want a more contouring outcome.  Best, Dr. Emer

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting will reduce the amount of fat in the area being treated, but it doesn't effect the fat in the rest of the body. We have fat under the skin of nearly the entire body, so fat stores are still being used throughout the body, just less so in the area where Coolsculpting destroyed some of the fat.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting melts fat cells only on the area treated with an applicator. One treatment removes around 25% of fat cells in the area treated. It does not affect fat cells elsewhere in your body. To maintain results is all up to you. It does not prevent your body from storing fat cells in the future. It helps you get rid off the fat in those stubborn areas once you have reached your ideal weight. If you gain weight, fat will be back.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting melts fat cells only on the area treated with an applicator. One treatment removes around 25% of fat cells in the area treated. It does not affect fat cells elsewhere in your body. To maintain results is all up to you. It does not prevent your body from storing fat cells in the future. It helps you get rid off the fat in those stubborn areas once you have reached your ideal weight. If you gain weight, fat will be back.

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear travelin boy: Unfortunately, the body is programmed to save its calories for later use as fat. We have many fat stores genetically predetermined to store calories everywhere in the body including: visceral or organ fat, superficial subcutaneous and deeper subcutaneous fat from the scalp to the toes and then some. In general, calories in minus calories out will determine your weight. Your genetics determines both your metabolism and appearance. If CoolSculpting reduces calories by destruction of fat cells in one area (eliminated from the body) then the continuous calories in will distribute to other fat cells. As I noted above, we have little control over the site of fat cell enlargement except by their direct removal. So, whether it is excision, liposuction or CoolSculpting of fat cell removal, one must rebalance their lifestyle for the reduced weight by consuming less calories, exercising or both. Hope this helps. All the best!

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

This is a really great question which we are frequently asked.  After a CoolSculpting treatment has been administered, the body will remove the destroyed fat cells thought  the lymphatic drainage system.  After about 90 days, full results of the treatment will be rendered.  At this point, up to 25% of the fat will have been permanently removed from the area treated with CooolSculpting.  It is important to keep in mind that CoolSculpting is a treatment designed to "spot treat" pockets of fat in order to sculpt the body and bring about a more aesthetically pleasing countenance. 
This treatment is not intended for weight loss.  The vast majority of fat cells in an adults body with still be completely intact. Adults have a set amount of fat cells which enlarge or shrink as weight is gained or lost. Therefore, post treatment, weight will be distributed evenly throughout the remaining fat cells in the body.

Shamim Shakibai, MD · Answer

Dear travelin boy,
Coolsculpting is targeted fat reduction in the areas that are treated, each treatment kills 25% of the fat cells in that area. It does not affect the rest of the fat cells, which will expand/shrink during your lifetime. it also doesn't affect the storage capacity of the remaining fat cell of your body, as that is primarily the function of your visceral fat (more internal) that coolsculpting does not affect. Hope this helps!

Jack Berdy, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting only affects the fat cells in the treated area while having no effect on fat cells throughout the body outside of the treated area.  If fat were to be stored in the area treated there would be about 20% less fat cells for storage and the remaining cells would enlarge if needed.  Your body will store fat how and when needed and it would use the remaining fat cells in the body. 
Dr. Berdy

If Coolsculpting kills off fat cells, then where is body fat stored after the procedure?

Answers (15)

More CoolSculpting Questions

What percentage of fat can I expect to loose after 2 CoolSculpting sessions?

Is it okay to eat sugar after CoolSculpting?

My inner thighs were treated with CS from the posterior aspect. 7 weeks post op and they are rubbing. What should I do? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS