Many people struggle with weight issues, largely due to the nature of today’s work and the sedentary lifestyle it entails. Excess weight may lead to numerous health problems, and it’s often the cause of lower self-esteem.
Restrictive diets and exercise are common ways of dealing with weight gain. People who have difficulty losing weight this way resort to other weight loss methods like supplements, surgery, or noninvasive cosmetic treatments.
CoolSculpting is one of the most popular noninvasive cosmetic treatments for body contouring. But does it take off pounds? This article explores how CoolSculpting helps with weight loss and what you can expect from the procedure.
Does CoolSculpting Help With Weight Loss?
The creators of CoolSculpting emphasize that the procedure is NOT a treatment for weight loss. It’s a cosmetic fat-reduction procedure that destroys fat cells and reduces or eliminates fat bulges in close-to-average-weight patients. The CoolSculpting device freezes fat cells in target areas like the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms, and then the body’s lymphatic system flushes them out.
Note: Find out what are the most common CoolSculpting areas.
With the elimination of fat pockets in places like the abdomen and thighs, patients experience more toned bodies and can often fit into clothes they couldn’t fit into before the procedure.
Your scale may not show it, but you will be thinner after CoolSculpting.
Average Weight Loss After CoolSculpting
Patients usually don’t see a difference in their weight immediately after CoolSculpting. When the CoolSculpting device freezes fat cells in the target area, the fat cells stay in the body for up to six months before the lymphatic system flushes them out.
After the fat cells are gone, your scale may show a pound or two less than before the CoolSculpting treatment, depending on how much fat you had.
One CoolSculpting treatment eliminates 20-25% of fat in the treated area. So, for example, if you have five pounds of abdomen fat, you may lose a pound of weight after treatment.
If you have more than 30 pounds of excess fat, you won’t be a good candidate for CoolSculpting. The device can only destroy smaller pockets of excess fat. With over 30 pounds to lose, you won’t notice much difference after a CoolSculpting treatment.
Average Inches Lost with Coolsculpting
The number of inches lost after a CoolSculpting procedure depends on the size of the fat bulge being treated. If you get a CoolSculpting treatment on the chin, you may expect to lose half of an inch. If you get a CoolSculpting treatment for your abdomen, you may lose several inches around your waistline after several treatments.
How Many CoolSculpting Sessions Do You Need?
CoolSculpting patients usually need one to three sessions, depending on the size of the treatment area and the patient’s expectations. Your medical provider will create a personalized CoolSculpting plan, including the required number of treatments, based on your unique composition and desired results.
What to Expect from CoolSculpting?
It’s important to keep your expectations for CoolSculpting realistic. The success of the treatment is not measured in inches or pounds but in the amount of eliminated fat. You may not notice any visible fat reduction after the first treatment. Most patients see a noticeable difference 12 weeks after their final treatment.
Note: Learn how to prepare for CoolSculpting to get the best results possible.
Is CoolSculpting Permanent?
CoolSculpting permanently destroys fat cells in the target area. You can maintain the results with a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, if you overeat and gain weight, the remaining fat cells in the treated area may grow and create a new fat bulge in the same spot.
Note: Learn more about how long CoolSculpting treatments and results last.
Who is an Ideal Candidate?
The ideal CoolSculpting candidate is within 20-30 pounds of their optimal weight. They only wish to lose fat pockets in specific areas that they cannot eliminate with a careful diet and regular exercise.
Both women and men can undergo the treatment.
Note: Find out how CoolSculpting for men works.
Should You Do CoolSculpting After Weight Loss?
CoolSculpting is a great way to reduce fat around stubborn areas that won't budge, and emphasize muscle tone. CoolSculpting can be performed after weight loss if the person is within 20-30 pounds of their ideal weight.
For patients with loose skin, the results of CoolSculpting may not be as prominent.
Note: Find out whether CoolSculpting cellulite works.
Conclusion
CoolSculpting is a quick, effective way to lose excess fat and define the body.
It’s not a treatment for weight loss. Realistic expectations about the CoolSculpting procedure (and not measuring pounds after the treatment!) will help you enjoy your new, slimmer body.
