Here at our practice in San Francisco, we wholly support patients who want to opt for non-surgical treatments for permanent fat reduction. For these patients, we generally recommend CoolSculpting, an FDA-approved procedure which gets rid of unwanted fat safely and effectively.

If you’ve been considering a non-surgical alternative to reduce excess pockets of fat, here’s what you need to know about CoolSculpting.

What is CoolSculpting?

By and large, CoolSculpting utilizes the principle of cryolipolysis in which fat cells are destroyed through controlled cooling techniques. What makes this treatment different from other liposuction techniques is that the surrounding tissues are left undamaged. The target fat cells are naturally eliminated by the body days or weeks following treatment.

Results are permanent and visible differences will be noticeable on the third week following treatment. The most dramatic CoolSculpting outcomes will most likely be visible on the second month post-treatment.

Can I have CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is ideal for individuals who have tried both diet and exercise to get rid of excess pockets of fat and bulges. Plus, one should be within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal body weight and should be within that weight for the past 6 months. Bodybuilders with muscular physiques may be an exception.

If you still have a significant amount of weight to lose, we recommend that you hold off the procedure until you are within 10 to 15 pounds of your ideal body weight.

Women who are trying to become pregnant, already pregnant, or currently breastfeeding may be advised to put their CooolSculpting plans on hold.

What should I expect during and after the procedure?

During the procedure,  target areas will be marked and covered with a gel pad. A hand-held applicator vacuum applicator will be applied to the marked skin and will eventually cool the fat cells. The length of time of the cooling process varies depending on the target area. Discomfort during the procedure is rare. In fact, many of our patients multitask during CoolSculpting — they read a book or even tweet about their experience.

Downtime is minimal to non-existent and temporary side effects may include redness, cramping, bruising, and tingling/numbness in the affected area.

Call us at 415.398.7778 or fill out this contact form today to learn more about CoolSculpting. We look forward to your visit!