CoolSculpting Elite®

CoolSculpting Elite does not treat cellulite either, although we offer Exilis, an energy-based procedure that can be used to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of cellulite. Exilis, a radio-frequency device can be easily paired with CoolSculpting Elite to help you reach your goals. Exilis is offered to all our CoolSculpting Elite patients that may need it to help improve laxity or the appearance of cellulite at fraction of its original cost.

There are many factors to consider before committing to CoolSculpting.

The best candidates for the procedure:

• Are in good health.
• Are within 20 to 30 pounds of their target body weight.
• Have healthy skin with good elasticity.
• Have “pinchable” fat.

There are some medical conditions that prevent an individual from undergoing the CoolSculpting procedure.

• Cryoglobulinemia is a condition in which the blood contains a lot of particles that clump when cooled below normal body temperature. These clumps can cause blood clots and lead to much more severe conditions.
• Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria can cause mild to severe anemia if the sufferer is exposed to cold temperatures. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be needed to treat it.
• Patients with conditions that cause hypersensitivity to cold, such as Raynaud’s disease, pernio, or chilblains, should avoid CoolSculpting.

If you suffer from any of the above conditions or have any other health concerns, please inform your provider prior to treatment.

Full results usually take about two to three months. It can take your body this long to naturally process and get rid of all the crystallized fat cells. At this point, a repeat treatment can be considered or may be recommended.

For some a single treatment may be sufficient in achieving their goals, but some do require 2-3 treatments to achieve optimal results.

Once your body has metabolized the crystallized cells, they are gone forever. Fat cells do not grow back, so once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.

However, it’s important to understand that CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss procedure. Freezing fat cells simply causes them to release their contents so they can be more easily burned off. Your weight will not change as a result of CoolSculpting alone. Eating right and adding exercise to your life will help achieve and maintain the best results. Also, keep in mind CoolSculpting is not going to control the remaining fat cells. If you choose to ignore healthy habits your current fat cells can still expand and lead back to a larger unwanted size.

• No anesthesia is required.
• No incisions are made at all.
• There is no recovery time.

Of course, no procedure is complete without risk. Most people don’t experience any side effects following the procedure, but there are a few common issues that can develop shortly after treatment, including:

• Temporary numbness.
• Mild soreness.
• Mild bruising.

CoolSculpting is usually a pain-free experience, with the exception of these possible mild side effects. However, on rare occasions other more severe side effects can present themselves.

Approximately 1% of patients will require pain medication and experience numbness for a week or more. You can compare this with almost 100% of patients who experience pain and discomfort following liposuction. Since the device utilizes suction, a “hickey” like effect can also occur with more pronounced bruising, though this is uncommon.

That being said, CoolSculpting has shown great results in new mothers having trouble losing that last bit of pregnancy fat through diet and exercise alone.

• Check with your provider if you’re a good candidate.
• Find out how many treatments you’ll need.
• Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications.
  Unless you’re taking Advil or Ibuprofen for a specific medical treatment or condition, it’s best to avoid any anti-inflammatory medication before your treatment. CoolSculpting can sometimes result in bruising. Anti-inflammatory medications can increase the odds of this happening, and also exacerbate the severity of the bruising. That being said, it is always important to consult with your doctor before discontinuing any of your regular medications.
• Get relaxed prior to treatment.
  Being comfortable and relaxed helps ease the mind and body before any procedure, and making sure you are wearing appropriate clothing is one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable. On the day of your treatment, you should wear loose-fitting clothing. Many patients feel comfortable in a baggy, button-up collared shirt. You should also wear inexpensive undergarments and consider bringing an extra set to change into. A gel is applied between the CoolSculpting applicator and your skin, so your clothes may get wet.
• Don’t forget to bring some entertainment.
  It’s a perfect time to catch up on a good book, work, email, or your favorite TV show. Many patients even feel comfortable enough to get some beauty sleep.

Overall, there is very little that you need to do to prepare for your treatment when compared to more invasive surgical procedures.

• You’ll be shown to your private treatment room where you’ll remove your clothing from the area to be treated.
• You’ll be photographed for documentation purposes and your skin will be marked to best guide the CoolSculpting device. At this point in the process you can simply sit, get comfortable, and relax.
• When you’re ready to begin, a gel barrier will be placed over the area to be treated. This gel layer is a thin membrane that varies in size depending on the target area.
• Next, the actual CoolSculpting machine is applied directly over the gel. Most applicators use vacuum pressure to draw the specified area up and between a pair of cooling pads.
• Once the suction is secure, the cooling process begins. With the aid of modern technology and precisely controlled cooling, the pads lower the tissue to near-freezing temperatures. This low temperature has been proven to specifically target and destroy fat cells while leaving the surrounding skin and muscle tissues completely unharmed.
• The optimal temperature is 4°C. Through this natural cooling process, the fat cells in the affected area crystallize, die, release their stores of fat, and are dispelled by your own body over time, similar to other dead or damaged cells.
• When the cooling portion of the treatment is complete, the area is vigorously massaged for a few moments, and then you’re done.

At the completion of your treatment, don’t be surprised if you can actually feel the crystallized fat through your skin — patients often describe it as similar to a brick of butter. You might also feel strange sensations in the treated area for a few minutes immediately afterward, like cramping, pressure, and tightness, along with visible bruising and redness. These are all temporary.

Immediately after treatment, there is the possibility of a few mild, temporary side effects occurring, including:

• Redness
• Firmness
• Swelling or bloating
• Localized numbness
• Mild bruising
• Whitening of the skin around the treatment area
• Mild to moderate pain or cramping
• Tenderness at the treatment site
• Itching or tingling sensations

These symptoms are normal and can last up to a week. They are caused by the vacuum suction and the cold temperatures created by the CoolSculpting machine. Most of these side effects tend to go away by themselves within a matter of minutes. None require any special or additional treatment whatsoever. They only need time to subside.

A follow-up appointment around the one-month point can be helpful in ensuring you’re still on the road to recovery and not experiencing any complications.