Losing weight is a tough task, but with the right diet and exercise regime, nothing can stop one from reaching their ideal weight goal. If one feels that getting rid of the extra pounds is a difficult task, attaining a toned body and getting rid of stubborn fat in certain areas can prove to be a herculean task as well. In such cases, people often opt for procedures like liposuction to get rid of the extra fat around certain areas. However, a recent FDA-approved, non-invasive fat removal procedure has become increasingly popular. This process is called CoolSculpting®, and it involves freezing the excess fat to reduce weight and contour the body.

CoolSculpting® has been hailed as an alternative procedure to the invasive liposuction. It is designed to remove the stubborn areas of fat that wouldn’t go away despite rigorous exercise or diet. This method uses cryolipolysis to permanently destroy fat cells in a particular area and doesn’t involve sedation, which is needed in liposuction. This “fat freezing” technique is fast gaining recognition owing to its effectiveness. However, there are certain things one needs to know about CoolSculpting® before they consider opting for it.

Not a weight-loss technique
One of the major misconceptions people harbor is that CoolSculpting® is a weight-loss technique.

Won’t help with sagging skin
CoolSculpting® is a process that tones the body by freezing the extra fat present in particular areas. It is, however, not a solution for sagging skin that accompanies drastic weight loss. CoolSculpting® won’t get rid of the excess or loose skin, and the amount of fat loss that is caused by it won’t result in saggy skin. For sagging skin, one can consider opting for skin-tightening procedures instead.

Not a painful procedure
CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure, which implies that it won’t be as painful as other invasive procedures. Patients undergoing this procedure experience little to no discomfort during the session. Moreover, the initial discomfort they feel when the applicator is first placed dissipates in a while.

The number of sessions differs from patient to patient
One needs to understand that the number of sessions that they have to undergo differs from person to person. It depends entirely on the individual’s body-shaping goals and their overall health condition. Moreover, the number of sessions also depends on how much fat reduction is to be done. For instance, if the patient wishes to reduce a small pocket of stubborn fat, then a single session of CoolSculpting® will give about a 20% to 25% of reduction in fat. Similarly, if one needs to tone several areas, they will require around three to five treatments every six weeks.

Can give rise to few post-procedure side effects
Although CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved, safe, and well-researched procedure, it does give rise to a few post-procedure side effects. The common side-effects include:

• Bruising, tenderness, or swelling
• Numbness or tingling
• Pinching or tugging sensations
• Muscle cramping
• Itchiness

These side-effects tend to last for a few days after the surgery and do not require serious treatment measures. CoolSculpting® doesn’t result in blood clots, skin infections, and/or kidney or heart problems that are often associated with liposuction.

Doesn’t suit everyone
This procedure makes use of intense cold temperature to freeze fat and fat cells. So, CoolSculpting® might not be the right procedure for people who suffer from cryoglobulinemia, paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, and cold agglutinin disease. In such cases, it is more advisable to go to a certified plastic surgeon and consult with them on the possibilities of opting for this treatment.

The effects become evident in a few weeks
Though this is a very effective way of getting rid of stubborn fat in certain areas of the body, the results won’t be evident immediately after the sessions. One needs to be patient about the results as the first few changes will be evident within a month. Whereas, the more dramatic changes occur after two months. This happens because it takes time for the body to eliminate the treated fat cells. When the body starts and continues flushing out the shattered fat cells, the body keeps improving for up to six months.

Does not come cheap
Since CoolSculpting® is a cosmetic procedure, insurance doesn’t cover it. Moreover, the price of this procedure depends upon the location, skill, and experience of the clinician, and the areas of fat to be targeted. The cost for treatment on multiple body areas costs about $2,250 according to the RealSelf.com in October 2016. Another important factor that determines the cost of treatment is the size of the applicator being used. Mini applicators cost approximately $750 to $900 and medium ones cost around $600 to $800. The large applicators are quite expensive and cost about $1,200 to $1,500.

Before opting for the CoolSculpting® procedure, it is imperative that one consults a licensed physician to determine how safe the procedure would be for them.