Each and every Jan. 1, it’s all about resolutions, whether that means getting healthy, being a better person, tackling a long-overdue project, or setting other goals for the coming year. Yet statistics show that by the end of January, only 64% of us are still committed. Weight loss is consistently at the top of the resolution list, and increased attention to our diets and fitness regimens comes along with it. Changing old habits is difficult, but there’s revolutionary new helping hand for achieving weight-loss goals, and it’s called CoolSculpting, now available at our Miami practice.
Imagine a treatment that results in up to a 25% reduction in unwanted fat in just a few hours (at most). This may sound like science fiction, but it is in fact reality. Surgical liposuction used to be the only option for eliminating stubborn bulges, but CoolSculpting targets fat on the abdomen, back, love handles, and beyond and destroys the fat cells with absolutely no downtime — and no surgery. This advanced cooling technology is cleared by the FDA as safe, and more than 1 million treatments worldwide have proven it’s effective.
What to Expect
At our dermatology practice, all CoolSculpting treatments are performed by our doctors. Once you’re situated and comfortable in one of our treatment rooms, you can lay back and relax, because all you feel during the CoolSculpting session is a short-lived cold sensation as the device crystallizes the fat cells beneath your skin. (Don’t worry — it has no effect on the skin.) There’s no need for pain medication, and the procedure itself takes from 1 to 3 hours depending on the size of the area being treated. Then you’re back to your normal activities with no restrictions or side effects.
The Results
One CoolSculpting treatment can reduce unwanted fat by up to 25%, but don’t expect to leave the office a size or 2 smaller. The slimming results achieved with CoolSculpting become visible 3 to 8weeks after treatment, because it takes the body that long to naturally expel the destroyed fat. Inch loss can continue for up to 6 months, which is why it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise also ensures long-lasting results.
Yes, one treatment can deliver the fat reduction you’re looking for in multiple areas, but keep in mind that more than one may be necessary. Your doctor will create a customized treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals. This plan may include other procedures such as Ultherapy®, which tightens the skin in treated areas for even better results.
Who Is a Candidate
It’s important to understand that CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss tool, and it does not take the place of a healthy diet and exercise. If you think you can go on vacation, gain 10 pounds, come back and have the weight “frozen” away — guess again. CoolSculpting is designed to sculpt targeted areas of body that have stubborn pockets of fat that have resisted diet and fitness efforts.
Food for thought
There’s a difference between the fat reduction achieved with CoolSculpting and weight loss. When we lose weight, our fat cells shrink. They can get larger again as soon as you take in more calories than your body burns. On the other hand, CoolSculpting reduces the number of fat cells in the treated areas, so they can never come back! But remember, you’ll still gain weight in areas that have not been treated with CoolSculpting.