The Difference Between Weight Loss and CoolSculpting Might Surprise You

Fat cells. We need them and we also don’t want too many of them. By adolescence, the body has grown all of the fat cells it will ever have. When we gain weight, it is not because we have developed an overabundance of fat cells but that some of our fat cells have grown larger. These storage cells expand or shrink in response to how many calories the body uses versus how many we consume. Weight loss makes fat cells smaller. It does not make them go away. When CoolSculpting is performed, fat cells are eliminated. When they are flushed through the lymph system, they are gone forever.

CoolSculpting is a fascinating treatment that does not substitute for weight loss, even though it does eliminate fat cells for good. Each CoolSculpting treatment reduces the number of fat cells in a target area by as much as 25%. Interestingly, this does not result in weight loss. It results in a more contoured, slimmer body.

What You Should Know About CoolSculpting Body Contouring Treatment

CoolSculpting works through a process called cryolipolysis. Lipolyisis is the destruction of fat cells. Cryo means freezing. CoolSculpting destroys fat cells by freezing them. During a session, which lasts about 45 minutes, fat is held within comfortable device panels that emit cold temperatures. Within the treatment timeframe, the fat cells begin to develop crystals. The fat crystals injure the membrane of the cells, leading to their dissolution. Without intact membranes, fat cells excrete their contents, which are flushed from the body in 8 to 12 weeks. A series of 3 to 4 treatments achieve dramatic results that can last many years.

It is important to see CoolSculpting as a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss solution. The non-invasive procedure is a great kick start to losing that last 10 pounds. It is a great cherry on top of achieving your weight loss goal. To get optimal results from fat-freezing treatments, it helps to know that it matters where your fat is. CoolSculpting is intended for the reduction of subcutaneous fat. These are the fat cells located just beneath the skin. Deeper fat, called visceral fat, cannot be eliminated with CoolSculpting. Even liposuction can’t touch visceral fat because it is too deep and too close to internal organs.

Weight loss and body contouring often go hand-in-hand. If you would like to see what CoolSculpting can do for you, contact our NYC plastic surgery office at (212) 508-0000.