While it may seem like a relatively innocuous technique, CoolSculpting is a minimally-invasive form of plastic surgery. As the name goes, the process involves applying cooling to targeted areas to reduce the rate of fat cells production and increase the rate of metabolism. It is often referred to as ‘fat loss’ or ‘5-year weight-loss surgery. Even though it is a relatively recent development, CoolSculpting has become very popular. You can book an appointment online with a surgery center near you using the links provided or call a local CoolSculpting center directly.
CoolSculpting surgery is generally performed outpatient and takes about an hour. You can expect to experience minor soreness for a few days afterward, but that is expected. Most patients report a decrease in red check (healthline.com), swollen lumps over about six months. However, some reports indicate that it can take 18 months for the effects to begin. If you choose to go through with CoolSculpting, you should understand the risks and benefits beforehand. You need to know about this minimally-invasive form of plastic surgery.
Table of Contents
What is CoolSculpting?
While many people may assume that CoolSculpting is a form of liposuction, it is a form of body contouring. It is a non-invasive procedure used to reduce the size of your fat cells and increase your metabolism. The body’s natural response is to consume more calories to maintain a stable weight to achieve the desired result. The “cooling” part of the process is that the heated tools used for liposuction are replaced with cold tools. In this way, only the fat cells being removed are exposed to the cold air (plasticsurgery.org).
Read: Cryotherapy Benefits
How does CoolSculpting Work?
The significant component of CoolSculpting is the cold treatment, which is achieved by either placing a cooling blanket on the skin or using exogenous cold to freeze the blood in certain areas. The treatment aims to shrink the target area without removing any surrounding tissue.
The treatment is usually performed under general or regional anesthesia. The doctor will prepare the area by cleansing it, washing away any infections, and injecting a local anesthetic during the procedure. Next, the doctor will place a particular cooling device on the skin and apply low levels of cold to the area for around 20 minutes. The treatment takes about an hour and is followed by four to six weeks of cooling off the area with a cold pack or immersing it in a cold environment such as a swimming pool or beach.
Potential Risks of CoolSculpting
As with all plastic surgery processes, there are risks associated with CoolSculpting. The most significant risk is infection. Since the tissue is being cooled, the warmth from the body can also cause inflammation and pain. After the procedure, you should contact your doctor to discuss your healing process and any side effects.
Additionally, there are risks associated with using anodized 1086 aluminum, commonly used in CoolSculpting. The metal can have a toxic effect on the body and may lead to various conditions, including cancer.
Potential Benefits of CoolSculpting
The most significant potential advantage of CoolSculpting is that it is a minimally-invasive procedure that does not involve surgery or anesthesia. This alone might be enough to get you to at least consider the process. However, some advantages go well beyond this.
Low infection rates: Most plastic surgeries involve some form of surgery, whether it be surgery to remove fat cells or liposuction. However, with CoolSculpting, you may not need to worry about infection. This is because the procedure itself reduces the risk of disease.
No downtime: The procedure is done quickly and can be completed in an office setting or even in bed. No anesthetic or medical interventions are required during the process.
Low cost: Although the procedure is quite expensive, most centers charge only $500 or less for the session. There is no set fee for the system, so it is so popular with patients.
Easy results: Unlike liposuction, where the patient has to maintain a certain body weight after the procedure, with CoolSculpting, you do not have to. You have to take it easy for a few days, and your results will show up.
How much does CoolSculpting Cost?
Because it is a relatively new procedure, pricing for CoolSculpting is still being determined. However, pricing estimates have ranged from $4,000 to $8,000. The price will depend on the amount of surgery you need and your insurance coverage. More information about the procedure and pricing can be found at the links provided.
Read: Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgery
Should you go through with CoolSculpting?
While the procedure has a lot of potential benefits, it is essential to note that it is still a relatively new procedure, and there are still many risks associated with it.
One study found that 62% of patients who had been assigned a low risk of complications were still experiencing difficulties one year after surgery. Furthermore, another study found that only one out of 10 patients were completely happy with the procedure results. Thus, while it may have many advantages, it should be considered only as a last resort when other options have failed.
If you have tried everything and the weight loss is still unsuccessful, or if you are concerned about poor scarring or the possibility of developing diabetes, then consider giving CoolSculpting a try. However, do so only if you are fully aware of the risks and have decided yourself.
Conclusion
In all likelihood, you have been dealing with excess weight for a while and are just looking for an opportunity to make some changes. Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds or gain some form of health benefits, there are ways to go about it.
In this article, we have discussed some of the risks and benefits of CoolSculpting. We hope that you now know more about this procedure and are more likely to understand the risks and decide to proceed.