CoolSculpting

You’re committed to eating right and working out. You’re intrigued by every fitness trend touted by celebrities on social media. You’ve made countless healthy New Year’s resolutions, only to watch them go up in flames by February. You’ve even been tempted by crash diets and dubious cleanses. In an era that celebrates being slim and sculpted, it’s hard not to get frustrated when you work hard and your body still doesn’t look the way you want it to.

The truth is, although diet and exercise are essential elements of a healthy lifestyle, they may not be enough to sculpt the figure you want. Many people find themselves with pockets of fat that refuse to budge despite their most dedicated efforts. Bumps and bulges can linger in places like the abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs, making you feel self-conscious even if you’re at your goal weight.

There was a time when liposuction or invasive surgeries like a tummy tuck were the only way to get rid of stubborn fat and reshape your problem areas. Now, thanks to advances in aesthetic medicine, there is CoolSculpting — a noninvasive treatment that eliminates fat cells permanently with no surgery, little discomfort and minimal downtime. At Gravity Med Spa, we are committed to helping women and men achieve their best bodies in the safest and most effective way possible. If you’re ready to see what CoolSculpting can do, call us today at 949-387-6118 to schedule your consultation.

The Skinny on Fat Loss

Believe it or not, the number of fat cells in your body doesn’t actually change much throughout your adult life. Though we often talk about “burning off” fat when we exercise, most weight loss does not come from getting rid of fat cells — instead, weight fluctuations occur as a result of fat cells expanding or shrinking. That means that two people who have a similar body shape can have drastically different numbers of fat cells, and two people with the same number of fat cells can carry those cells in dramatically different ways. This is one of the reasons it can be so challenging to achieve and maintain your ideal physique, and why simply making healthy choices may not be enough.

What Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting uses cutting-edge technology to freeze away fat in common problem areas. Developed by the global medical device company Zeltiq, CoolSculpting is the first and only noninvasive fat reduction procedure worldwide that causes fat cells to die using a patented cooling mechanism. The procedure is safe and comfortable and provides noticeable, lasting results. Once fat cells are gone, they’re gone for good — your slimmed-down figure can last a lifetime with a good long-term health regimen. If you are approaching your goal weight but still struggle to shed fat in certain areas, CoolSculpting can pick up where your diet and exercise plans leave off and serve as encouragement for continuing healthy habits for life. Contact us today to book your first appointment.

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

The science behind CoolSculpting is a process called cryolipolysis. Scientists affiliated with Harvard University developed cryolipolysis after observing that some children lost fat in their cheeks after eating popsicles. This discovery led to the idea that cold can selectively affect fat cells, triggering lipolysis — the breaking down of fat cells — without harming the surrounding tissues. CoolSculpting is built on this principle. During a CoolSculpting session, the device targets and cools fat cells to a temperature that activates fat cell death. The fat cells die in the weeks after the session and are gradually removed by the body’s immune system. This is vastly different from other noninvasive or minimally-invasive fat reduction methods, which primarily damage fat cells using heat or high-intensity focused ultrasound.

CoolSculpting Before & After Gallery

Can CoolSculpting Help Me Lose Weight?

Though they may sound similar, weight loss and fat reduction are two different things. Losing weight and seeing a smaller number on the scale doesn’t always mean seeing a more sculpted figure in the mirror. Weight loss refers to the shrinking of fat cells, while fat reduction is the process of removing fat cells. Fat reduction visibly changes the shape and contours of your body. CoolSculpting is not intended for weight loss and is not a substitute for diet and exercise if you are trying to lose a significant amount of weight. Think of CoolSculpting, or any other body contouring procedure, as “fine-tuning” or the final step in a longer weight loss journey — it is meant to complement a healthy lifestyle and address localized areas of fat that resist traditional weight loss methods.

What Areas of the Body Can CoolSculpting Improve?

CoolSculpting can treat unsightly fat bulges in the following areas:

• Abdomen
• Flanks
• Thighs
• Back
• Upper arms
• Underneath the buttocks (banana roll)
• Underneath the chin (submental fat)
• Underneath the jawline (submandibular fat)

CoolSculpting is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue in the submental area.

What Are the Benefits of CoolSculpting?

These are just a few of the reasons our patients love CoolSculpting:

• Nonsurgical and noninvasive
• FDA-cleared procedure
• Safe for all skin types
• No anesthesia, no incisions
• Convenient and comfortable in-office treatments
• Minimal to no downtime
• Customized to the individual’s concerns and desired outcomes
• Improvements seen as soon as three weeks after treatment
• Long-lasting, natural-looking results

How Does CoolSculpting Compare to Liposuction?

CoolSculpting and liposuction are both designed to permanently reduce unwanted fat and can both achieve desirable results. Which procedure is right for you depends on your goals. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves incisions, anesthesia and downtime. More fat can be removed in a single liposuction session and, if desired, the fat can be transferred to another site to further sculpt the body. Liposuction may be the more suitable choice if you want to treat fat in a larger area of the body or desire a more substantial change in your body contour.

The results of CoolSculpting are not as rapid or dramatic as liposuction, but the procedure is completely noninvasive and involves little, if any, recovery time. CoolSculpting may be the better option if you require subtle improvements to achieve your ideal physique or if you want to avoid the pain, risk, scarring and downtime of surgery. It’s an excellent choice if you want a simple and safe way to reduce stubborn fat that doesn’t disrupt your daily life.

How Does CoolSculpting Compare to SculpSure?

Like CoolSculpting, SculpSure (or WarmSculpting) is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses temperature to clear away fat bulges that won’t budge despite your devotion to cycling class. Though the end goal is the same, there is a key difference in the approach: SculpSure kills fat cells by heating them with a laser instead of freezing. Then, just like CoolSculpting, the damaged cells are swept away by the body’s natural waste elimination system and final results appear over several months.

In our experience, patients prefer CoolSculpting for several reasons. The high temperatures of SculpSure can be uncomfortable for those who are sensitive, while CoolScupting can be less uncomfortable because the cooling action has a numbing effect. The CoolSculpting applicator is designed to treat a larger amount of fat, while SculpSure is limited to smaller bulges. CoolSculpting has been around longer, meaning it has a more extensive track record of safety and efficacy, and is FDA-cleared for use on more areas of the body.

How Does CoolSculpting Compare to Emsculpt?

Emsculpt is a newer body contouring treatment that helps patients achieve a sleeker, more sculpted shape. Both CoolSculpting and Emsculpt are noninvasive, involve minimal discomfort and downtime, and may require a series of treatments — but they are very different procedures. Emsculpt is designed to build muscle, not to reduce fat. It works by stimulating muscle contraction with high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. Which of these treatments is better for you comes down to your body composition and your goals. If you’re already lean and want to see better muscle definition, you may benefit from Emsculpt. If you’re carrying excess fat and want to spot-reduce in your problem areas, CoolSculpting is more suitable for your needs.

Who Will Perform My CoolSculpting Treatment?

All CoolSculpting treatments at Gravity Med Spa are performed by our Clinical Director, Dr. Tonya Boudreaux. Although CoolSculpting can legally be performed by any technician who has received the required training, we firmly believe that the safest treatments and best results are achieved when CoolSculpting is performed by a doctor. Dr. Boudreaux is a board-certified physician, a respected member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and has personally administered over 3,000 CoolSculpting treatments. This commitment to physician-led treatment is one of the many ways we provide exceptional care for our clients.

What Happens During a CoolSculpting Procedure?

The CoolSculpting system includes an assortment of tissue-cooling applicators and a central monitoring device. To begin the treatment, you will be made comfortable in our beautiful CoolSculpting room, complete with a television and fireplace to ensure you are relaxed and entertained during your experience. Dr. Boudreaux will select an appropriate applicator and place it over your chosen treatment area. You will feel a mild sucking sensation as it adheres to your body and draws the tissue between two cooling panels. Sensors embedded in the applicator monitor your skin throughout the procedure to ensure consistent, uniform cooling. When the procedure is complete and the applicator has been detached, Dr. Boudreaux will massage the area to break up the treated cells and enhance the fat reduction.

What Does CoolSculpting Feel Like?

During the procedure, you may experience feelings of pulling, pinching, tingling, intense cold, stinging, cramping or aching at the treatment site. These sensations are tolerated well by most people and subside as the cooling effect numbs the treatment area. We encourage our patients to relax and make themselves comfortable during their appointments — you can read, work, listen to music, tune into your favorite show or take a nap until the treatment is complete.

Is CoolSculpting Safe?

CoolSculpting has helped millions of women and men shed stubborn fat safely. Studies confirming the safety and efficacy of CoolSculpting have been published in more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, including Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery. CoolSculpting has been FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in nine areas since September 2010.

Can I Resume Normal Activities After CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an entirely nonsurgical procedure, so most patients can return to work, errands, exercise and other activities right away. You may experience redness or blanching, minor bruising or swelling, tingling, numbness, tenderness or skin sensitivity in the treated area. Some of these effects last just a few minutes or hours, while others require a few weeks to resolve. Each of these effects is temporary and will subside. Dr. Boudreaux will discuss all side effects and potential complications of CoolSculpting before your procedure.

What Results Can I Expect From CoolSculpting?

Clinical studies show CoolSculpting can reduce as much as 20% percent of fat cells in the treated area. You may begin to see improvements as quickly as three weeks after your treatment. The most dramatic results develop one to three months after the procedure, when your body has had more time to flush out treated fat cells. This process can continue for up to four to six months as your smoother and more toned figure emerges.

Fat cells that are eliminated with CoolSculpting will never regenerate. They are permanently gone from your body. It’s important to remember, however, that CoolSculpting does not remove every fat cell in the treated area. The cells that remain can grow if you gain weight in the future, so it’s wise to continue a well-balanced diet and regular exercise schedule. If you do gain weight, you will still have fewer fat cells where CoolSculpting has taken place, so you may continue to see improved tone in those areas.

How Many CoolSculpting Treatments Will I Need?

Many patients are happy with their results after one treatment, but others may need a series of treatments to reach their goals. Dr. Boudreaux will work with you to create a treatment plan that is appropriate for your needs, budget and schedule during your consultation. Additional CoolSculpting treatments can be administered two to four months after the initial procedure. Each treatment further enhances your results, ridding you of up to 20% of fat cells in the treated area per session.

Am I a Good Candidate for CoolSculpting?

If you are interested in CoolSculpting, here are a few signs that it might be an effective option for you:

• You are relatively fit and at or near your target weight
• You have mild to moderate fat bulges that are resistant to diet and exercise
• You are seeking spot reduction of fat rather than weight loss
• You are not interested in a surgical procedure
• You are not a candidate for surgery
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• You are generally healthy
• You do not have a medical condition that would make treatment inadvisable
• You have reasonable expectations

The best way to determine whether CoolSculpting is right for you is to speak with an experienced medical provider. Call 949-387-6118 to schedule a free consultation at Gravity Med Spa. Dr. Boudreaux will help you explore your body sculpting options and customize a treatment plan that is unique to you. We’re excited to show you the shape of things to come.