Is CoolSculpting Right for Me?

CoolSculpting isn’t recommended for everyone. And even if you fit as a candidate for the procedure, you still might be wondering, “Is CoolSculpting right for me?” The answer is up to you and your doctor.

by Bharat Kothakota , MD MPH

CoolSculpting isn't recommended for everyone. And even if you fit as a candidate for the procedure, you still might be wondering, "Is CoolSculpting right for me?" The answer is up to you and your doctor.

The CoolSculpting fat-reduction procedure is specially designed for those who have unwanted fat in some stubborn areas in their body. Unlike weight-loss surgery (e.g., gastric bypass), the CoolSculpting procedure is not a weight-loss solution for people who are obese. Good candidates for the CoolSculpting procedure have a healthy weight, but also have noticeable but modestly-sized bulges in certain areas of their body that they'd like to get rid of. Many others want a non-surgical alternative to liposuction.

A good way to start is to take the "Is CoolSculpting Right for Me?" Quiz on the official CoolSculpting website. Then, a one-on-one consultation with a CoolSculpting provider is the next step. During the appointment, you two will discuss the procedure and your CoolSculpting provider will make their recommendation for if the procedure is right for you and for which areas would be the best to treat.

While CoolSculpting isn't a surgery and doesn't have many of the same risks, it's still a cosmetic procedure that should be approached carefully to only be used when it is safe to do so.

The CoolSculpting procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges on the chin, thigh, abdomen, arm and flank. As the #1 non-invasive fat reduction procedure and with millions of CoolSculpting procedures performed worldwide, it is proven to be a safe and effective treatment on the right candidates.

Who Shouldn't Have CoolSculpting?

You should inform your physician of your entire medical history. You should not have the treatment if you are seeking treatment for obesity as CoolSculpting is not a treatment a weight loss solution for obesity. You should not have treatment if you have one of the below conditions:

• Cryoglobulinemia: People with this condition have an abnormal level of cryoglobulins (proteins in the blood which thicken in cold temperatures) in their body. CoolSculpting would be dangerous for people with this condition, therefore, they should not have the procedure.
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: This is a blood disorder where the change from a cold to a warm temperature can lead to red blood cell death. Those with this condition should not undergo CoolSculpting.
• Cold agglutinin disease: This is an autoimmune disease in which exposure of cold temperatures to the blood leads to red blood cell death.

If you have any of the below conditions, you might not be a good candidate for the CoolSculpting procedure. Tell your CoolSculpting physician if you have any of these conditions so that they can make the right recommendation.

• Known sensitivity to cold, such as cold urticaria or Raynaud's disease, pernio, or Chilblains
• Known sensitivity or allergy to isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, fructose and glycerin
• Impaired peripheral circulation in the area to be treated
• Nerve pain such as post-herpetic neuralgia or diabetic neuropathy
• Impaired skin sensation
• Open or infected wounds
• Bleeding disorders or simultaneous use of blood thinners
• Recent surgery or scar tissue in the area to be treated
• Hernia in or adjacent to the treatment site
• Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, or rashes in the area to be treated
• Active implanted device such as pacemaker or defibrillator
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety disorder

Things to Think About

If you have none of the above conditions, you might be a good candidate for CoolSculpting but there are still other things to think about before making your decision. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive and low-risk procedure, but you should be aware of these potential side effects anyway.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

These things can happen during and after a treatment of CoolSculpting. These side effects are temporary and usually resolve themselves within days or weeks

During a treatment:

• Sensations of pulling, tugging, and mild pinching at the treatment site
• Intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, cramping. These sensations subside as the area becomes numb

Right after a treatment:

• Redness and firmness
• Mild bruising around the edges of the treatment area
• Tingling and stinging

One to two weeks after a treatment:

• Redness, bruising, and swelling
• Tenderness, cramping, and aching
• Itching, skin sensitivity, tingling, and numbness. (Numbness can last up to several weeks after a treatment)
• Sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after chin area treatment

There are other specific side effects that can happen when getting CoolSculpting for the chin:

• Cold exposure to the hypoglossal nerve may cause tongue deviation following treatment of the chin area.
• Cold exposure to the marginal mandibular nerve may cause lower lip weakness following treatment of the chin area.
• Cold exposure to the submandibular gland may cause dry mouth, or decrease in saliva production, following treatment of the chin area.

Rare Side Effects:

• Paradoxical hyperplasia: Visibly enlarged tissue volume within the treatment area, which may develop two to five months after treatment, possibly even after a visible result is noticed. Surgical intervention like liposuction is required for correction may be required.
• Late-onset pain: A typical onset several days after a treatment and resolution within several weeks.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, flushing, sweating, or fainting during or immediately after the treatment.
• Hernia: Treatment may cause new hernia formation or worsen preexisting hernia, which may require surgical repair.

Results

You may start to see changes in as early as three weeks after your CoolSculpting appointment, then you will experience the most dramatic results after one to three months. Your body will continue to naturally process the fat cells treated by CoolSculpting for around four months after your procedure. CoolSculpting works great and has very low risks for those who are good candidates. If you and your doctor decide that CoolSculpting is a good fit for you and your goals, you can expect to be 20-25 percent slimmer with time after your procedure.

CoolSculpting at Self Care LA

Our top doctors at Self Care LA are involved in the CoolSculpting process from consultation to treatment. From your first appointment you will be receiving excellence in care from our experienced CoolSculpting physicians. They will help you determine if CoolSculpting is right for you and work with you to design your treatment for the best and safest results possible. Contact us at Self Care LA today to book your first consultation/ appointment to find out if you're right for CoolSculpting.