November 21, 2016
Have you heard of CoolSculpting? This non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic procedure is performed at Dr. Tjelmeland’s Austin office. CoolSculpting freezes fat cells; eventually killing them and giving you a sleeker, more contoured look. And the most incredible part is, there are no knives, needles or anesthesia involved! Austin patients can even resume their normal activities immediately after their treatments. Read on to learn more information about this unique, new fat-reducing technique, including how many sessions you may need to receive your desired results.
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting works when a gel pad and handheld applicator are placed on your stubborn fat areas, freezing the fat cells so that they eventually die and are removed from your body using your body’s natural waste reduction process. While the procedure is a bit cold, it is mostly painless, and many Austin patients choose to nap, surf on their phone or read during the typically hour-long treatment.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
When you choose to have CoolSculpting performed in Dr. Tjelmeland’s Austin office, he will come up with a complete treatment plan for you. Typically, a CoolSculpting treatment area is about the size of the hand. So one love handle is one treatment, two love handles are two treatments, and the lower abdomen are two treatments. Each CoolSculpting treatment typically removes 22 to 25% of the fat that it targets, and with multiple treatments in the same area, it can remove up to 50% of the targeted fat! The amount of CoolSculpting treatments that you will need will depend on that area(s) you are targeting, your unique physique and your desired results.
Is CoolSculpting a Weight Loss Procedure?
Just because CoolSculpting removes fat, doesn’t mean it’s a weight loss procedure. Your body matures in its teen years and develops the total number of fat cells you’ll have over your lifetime. Those fat cells just enlarge and shrink as your gain and lose weight. CoolSculpting removes stubborn fat cells that won’t shrink with proper diet or exercise. While you can expect to have a slimmer appearance, lose inches and fit better into your clothes after CoolSculpting treatments, you likely won’t lose any weight from the procedure.
How Does Cool Sculpting Compare to Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that requires incisions and general anesthesia. With liposuction, small incisions are made in your problem areas, and a thin, hollow tube is used to suck out the fat cells. While liposuction can remove more fat than CoolSculpting – about 75% of fat in your target areas – it does have its drawbacks. First, since liposuction is a surgery, you will have a longer recovery time and need to wear compression garments to reduce swelling. Second, liposuction tends to cost more than a CoolSculpting treatment.
Am I Candidate for CoolSculpting?
If you are close to your goal weight, but still have stubborn areas of fat that you just can’t get rid of (despite your best efforts at diet and exercise), and you don’t have a lot of downtime to recover from surgery, then CoolSculpting just may be the right procedure for you.
Contact Dr. Tjelmeland’s Austin office at Meridian Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a CoolSculpting consultation today at (512) 617-7500.