CoolSculpting is the only FDA-approved fat-freezing cosmetic solution. Initially, it only targeted stomach fat, but now it is approved for all body areas that accumulate fat, including the thighs, buttocks, flanks, and back.
Abdominal fat causes many inconveniences on a daily basis. You may ignore the discomfort it causes when you bend down to tie your shoelaces. However, the bulge around your waist becomes a problem when it limits your clothing options and makes you self-conscious about your appearance.
This article explains how CoolSculpting works on abdominal fat, who can undergo the procedure, and how long the results last.
CoolSculpting the Stomach – How Does the Treatment Work?
CoolSculpting is an innovative treatment for reducing fat through cryolipolysis or fat-freezing technology. Cryolipolysis destroys fat cells and causes a natural inflammatory process in the body. The body then removes the dead fat cells though a natural lymphatic flush response.
The CoolSculpting treatment starts with a consultation with a medical provider who reviews your medical history and reasons for choosing CoolSculpting. The consultation serves to determine if the treatment is right for you.
During the treatment, the medical provider:
- Cleans your abdominal area.
- Marks the region where you want to reduce stomach fat.
- Covers the marked area with a cellulose gel pad to protect your skin from the intense cold.
- Suctions the target area fat with the patented CoolSculpting applicator.
The applicator is connected to the CoolSculpting machine that controls the cooling process and detects how the body responds to the treatment, lowering and increasing the temperature as needed. The optimal temperature for freezing belly fat cells is between 39 and 41° F.
CoolSculpting the stomach lasts approximately one hour. If the target area is large and there is a significant amount of fat which requires more than two applicators, the session may last longer.
After the treatment, the medical provider massages the treated area and the body starts eliminating the frozen dead cells through the lymphatic system. The process may take up to six months.
Note: To learn more on how CoolSculpting eliminates stomach fat, read our article on how CoolSculpting works.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Stomach Coolsculpting?
CoolSculpting is designed for healthy individuals who eat in moderation, exercise, and are less than 30 pounds from their ideal weight.
CoolSculpting is effective against subcutaneous fat, which is pinchable fat just below the skin. Visceral fat is deeper in the body and surrounds internal organs, posing a greater health risk. CoolSculpting cannot eliminate visceral fat.
You need to have the right amount of pinchable fat that can fit into a CoolSculpting applicator. Many medical providers agree that the fat shouldn’t exceed three inches. If there is too much fat, or you are more than 30 pounds overweight, with a BMI of over 30, you may be a better candidate for liposuction than CoolSculpting.
Benefits of the CoolSculpting Stomach Procedure
CoolSculpting is the most popular fat-reduction cosmetic treatment because it provides a range of benefits. These include:
- Reduced abdominal fat that is difficult to eliminate with diet and exercise
- Slimmer waist
- Smaller clothes size
- Natural-looking results
- Permanent results
- Safe, FDA-approved procedure
- Non-surgical, non-invasive treatment
- No downtime
- Mild or no side effects
What Results Can You Expect?
One CoolSculpting treatment permanently destroys up to 25% of stomach fat and reduces the waistline by several inches. You may need several treatments, depending on the amount of fat around your waist and how much you want to slim down.
The results of CoolSculpting are permanent, but they need to be maintained with regular exercise and a healthy diet. If you eat in excess, the remaining fat cells in the abdominal area will expand and negate the effects of the CoolSculpting treatment.
FAQ
1. How Much Does Stomach CoolSculpting Cost?
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one CoolSculpting session costs $900. Schedule a treatment with our experienced CoolSculpting providers to assess your stomach fat goals and needs and to create a personalized fat-reduction plan for you.
If you need several treatments, the Vibrant Skin Bar staff offers a six-treatment package at $3,600 saving you $300 per treatment.
Note: Read our article on how much does CoolSculpting cost and find out about the prices of the treatment for other body parts as well.
2. Is the CoolSculpting Procedure Safe?
The procedure is FDA-approved and safe when performed in a carefully managed environment such as a clinic or a reputable medical spa. Make sure that you book a treatment with an experienced medical provider with a track record of satisfied stomach CoolSculpting patients.
3. What Is Recovery Like?
There is no downtime after CoolSculpting. You can go back to work, exercise, or resume your other activities after the procedure.
You may experience mild side effects such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tingling
- Cramping
- Itching
- Aching
- Numbness
- Tenderness
The side effects are usually mild and resolve within two or three weeks.
A rare, severe side effect of CoolSculpting is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. It involves the patient experiencing the opposite effect of the treatment’s goals – an enlargement of fatty tissue. The incidence of this condition after CoolSculpting is 0,0051%.
Note: Read our article and learn about CoolSculpting aftercare and recovery tips.
4. Who Should Avoid CoolSculpting Their Stomach?
CoolSculpting is considered safe for healthy individuals 20 to 30 pounds above their ideal weight.
The following conditions may prevent you from having a stomach CoolSculpting treatment:
- Pregnancy
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Cold agglutinin disease
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
- Cold urticaria
- Recent surgery
- Hernia
- Bleeding disorders
Conclusion
Belly fat is difficult to eliminate with the usual weight-loss tactics, such as restricting calories and exercising. However, CoolSculpting offers a way to address this cosmetic and medical issue. The procedure is safe, quick, non-invasive, and provides permanent results, making it the most popular treatment for removing abdominal fat.
