How To Prepare For Coolsculpting

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared technology that “freezes” away fat cells. It works by delivering precisely controlled cooling to specific areas of the body which turns the fat cells into crystallized cells. Cooling the fat activates thermogenesis in those areas which results in a reduction of fat cell size.

In this guide, we review How To Prepare For Coolsculpting, what to avoid before coolsculpting, what to wear to coolsculpting, and how coolsculpting is done.

How To Prepare For Coolsculpting

Coolsculpting is a safe and effective procedure that can help you reduce the size of your fat cells. It’s especially useful for people who have limited time or resources to do traditional exercise and diet programs, since it can help you achieve the same results in a fraction of the time. But before you start thinking about booking your appointment, there are some things to consider first. In this article, we’ll talk about what to expect from coolsculpting in terms of downtime and how long it takes for results to show up—and what steps you can take before getting treatment.

Choose a good provider.

When choosing a provider, it’s important to think about the following factors.

• Does he/she have the latest technology? If you’re going to be spending money on CoolSculpting, you want to make sure your provider has access to modern equipment and can show you before and after photos.
• Is there a track record of success? Look at reviews on Yelp or Angie’s List. Are people generally happy with their results? How long has this particular practitioner been in practice? Has he/she been able to achieve good results consistently over time, or do they have more complaints than praise from their patients? While there are no guarantees when it comes to CoolSculpting (or any cosmetic procedure), these are things worth looking into before making an appointment with someone new who may not have much experience yet!
• Does the doctor give customer service over phone calls as well as in person visits? When I went through my first round of consultations for CoolSculpting treatment options earlier this year (I ended up getting liposuction instead), one clinic told me that if I wanted answers about how something would work and what exactly was involved then I should call them back after leaving their office because they didn’t want clients asking those questions while they were there!

Eat healthy before your treatment.

• Eat a healthy diet. If you have just one last meal before your treatment, make it a good one: A high-protein breakfast will help boost circulation and reduce inflammation in the skin. Try eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit, whole-grain toast with peanut butter or avocado slices, poached salmon and roasted vegetables—the list goes on!
• Avoid foods that cause bloating or gas. In general, stick to mild foods without spicy ingredients (or make sure they don’t affect you). The less gas you have in your intestines after CoolSculpting treatments could mean fewer problems for your doctor as he or she works to remove the fat cells from your body.
• Don’t drink alcohol during the 24 hours before treatment if possible because alcohol may dilate blood vessels near the surface of skin where fat is being targeted by CoolSculpting applicators; this could increase risk for bruising during treatment

Make sure the provider has an FDA-approved device.

Coolsculpting is a safe, effective procedure to reduce unwanted fat. But before you decide to undergo it, make sure your provider has an FDA-approved device and has been trained in its use. The CoolAdvantage™ is the only device recommended by all providers at CoolSculpting.com because of its unique ability to deliver a more comfortable treatment for patients.*

• To learn about the latest advancements in body contouring technology, check out our blog post: Reintroducing CoolSculpting Precision*

Stay hydrated.

It’s necessary to drink plenty of water before and after the procedure. This will help with swelling, which can be severe for some people. It can also flush out toxins from your body, so you’ll feel better faster.

It’s important to stay hydrated during all stages of the process. So get ready to have a lot more water in your life!

Make sure you have time off work.

In order to get the best results from your CoolSculpting procedure, it’s important to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Preparation involves understanding what you’re getting into and having time off work when needed.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that can be done in the office. This means that despite being a cosmetic procedure, it doesn’t require anesthesia or incisions. Instead, CoolSculpting uses cooling technology to freeze fat cells until they die and are naturally removed by your body over time (it takes about three months).

CoolSculpting is not a weight loss procedure but it can help you lose fat in specific areas of your body—specifically those areas where cold temperatures are applied for two hours at a time. The treatment is safe for almost any area of the body including arms, stomachs, thighs and buttocks.

Coolsculpting is a safe procedure that gives great results, but there are some things to do to prepare

If you want to achieve the best results from your CoolSculpting procedure, it’s important to prepare for it. The following eight tips can help make sure that you’re ready for your appointment:

• Choose a reputable provider. You’ll want to do some research on providers in your area and see who has experience in this type of treatment.
• Eat healthy before your appointment. Before getting treated, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables so that your body will be in good condition, especially since the process can cause some minor bruising or swelling around the area where it is being removed. Avoid alcohol as well because this may increase the amount of bruising after treatment by constricting blood vessels near where Coolsculpting takes place; this may also lead to headaches afterward if too much alcohol was consumed before hand! If possible, try eating foods with lots of water content such as cucumbers (which contain 96% water) or strawberries which have 92% water content–this will help keep hydrated during those hot summer months when everyone gets thirsty from sweating all day long!”

what to avoid before coolsculpting

1. Know the Ins and Outs of CoolSculpting

You may want to know how CoolSculpting works – after all, it will be attached to your body for an hour! The CoolSculpting machine works through a process called cryolipolysis, a procedure where cold temperatures freeze and destroy fat cells. This is mainly to address areas of stubborn fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. CoolSculpting is not the wave of a magic wand that will miraculously set you free of 50 pounds because it only destroys about 20% of the subcutaneous fat in the treatment area, the fat right underneath the skin and above the muscle. The fat that is deeper in the body you can remove by eating healthy and exercising.

The procedure itself is non-invasive, and it doesn’t involve anesthesia or needles. It targets fat cells and causes their death without affecting other tissues surrounding the fat, such as nerves and muscles. In the months that follow, the lymphatic system filters out those dead fat cells as waste, and once they are gone, they are not coming back.

Since CoolSculpting is not your typical weight loss procedure, you are a good candidate if you’re generally fit and healthy but struggling with some fat bulges you cannot remove. CoolSculpting removes the fat in the following areas: abdomen (upper and lower), thighs (inner and outer), flanks, also called love handles, bra and back fat, under the buttocks, arms, and chin area.

The more you know about the treatment itself, the more relaxed you will approach it. When you know how it works, you’ll know what results to expect!

2. Make a Plan Before CoolSculpting Treatment That You Will Also Use Afterwards

Forming healthy habits is vital for achieving the best results with CoolSculpting. If you are already in your ideal weight range, your results will be quicker and more effective. If you’re not, talk to your medical provider to find the best healthy diet and an exercise regimen. You should be looking at being within five pounds of your ideal weight because then you’ll be able to really see the results. Likewise, maintaining your results will only work if you do. Don’t risk creating new deposits of fat by overeating right after the treatments. Healthy habits are everything!

3. Protect Your Skin

It’s a no brainer: your skin needs to be healthy and intact during the CoolSculpting procedure. Because the treatment involves suction and massage of the area, you want to protect the skin. Please do so by preparing it for CoolSculpting. Avoid tanning, as the area that will be treated with CoolSculpting can get more sensitive. Should you burn in the sun, the treatment may cause an unpleasant feeling that you may want to avoid – think suction of the sunburnt skin! – so you would like to either avoid the sun altogether in the days prior to the treatment or postpone the treatment. The same goes for cuts, bruising, and any other wounds you might have. If you do have them, postpone your treatment. If you don’t, try avoiding activities that might cause them in the days leading to the treatment!

4. Rethink Your Medication

Any medication or supplements that can thin the blood are a no-go for several days before your CoolSculpting treatment. This is because blood thinners before the treatment can increase bruising. Medications and supplements to avoid: aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, fish oil, St. Johns Wort. If you’re taking any medication regularly, talk to your doctor so he or she can consider alternatives for you. Lastly, be aware of some herbs that can thin the blood, such as ginger and turmeric. If you can avoid bruising caused by the CoolSculpting applicator, why wouldn’t you, right?

5. Stop Smoking (If Only for a While)

While we’re on the topic of things to avoid before the treatment, we need to mention smoking, too. Smoking can slow the recovery process and delay the results. If you can, refrain from smoking for a week before CoolSculpting.

6. Come in Armed

…with things to do! A session of CoolSculpting usually takes about an hour. If you’ve booked multiple sessions, that means you will spend hours at the clinic or medspa, and it can get boring. Patients usually bring along things that can make the time fly by: books, magazines, iPads. You can read, watch a TV show, listen to a podcast, or just browse the Web. Workaholics can answer their work emails or catch up on a presentation. Whatever you need the additional hour or two for!

7. Make the Treatment as Pleasant as Possible

You should wear loose clothes for your CoolSculpting treatment. Most offices offer disposable clothing for the treatment, but you’ll feel more comfortable if you arrive in loose and comfy clothes that you can wear after the treatment. Alternatively, you can bring a change of clothing. Don’t wear your fancier underwear because they may come in contact with the gel used for skin protection, and stain.

8. Eat a Snack and Stay Hydrated

As the CoolSculpting treatment can last for hours, we advise you to eat a light meal or a snack, so you don’t get hungry (and angry!). Food before the treatment will maintain your blood sugar, energy, and mood during the session. Cut back on caffeine and sodas, and keep a bottle of water near you. You should stay hydrated throughout the treatment to help the body remove the toxins!

9. Ask Questions

If there’s anything you want to know, speak out. Your CoolSculpting provider is there to help you minimize worries and get all the info about the procedure. This applies to both your initial consultation and the treatment itself. Remember, there are no stupid questions! It’s your body and your health, and you deserve to know anything you want.

Even though CoolSculpting is a non-invasive method of losing fat, and there are no thorough preparations like for surgery, it’s still great to know how you can best prepare. This will ensure a smooth procedure and a relaxed patient, leading to better results. Learning helps you get there in the best way possible!

what to wear to coolsculpting

CoolSculpting® can freeze away fat from almost anywhere on the body—generally provided that there’s enough excess bulk to grab onto. While the results take anywhere from weeks to months to be seen, you can lose up to 20 to 25 percent of the volume in a specific area. Finally minimizing that stubborn fat on your thighs, or belly, or double chin can be a major confidence boost. Naturally, you’ll be ready to show off your slimmer, more shapely form as soon as you can. Check out these fun outfit ideas for Germain Dermatology patients who have had this fat freezing treatment at their Charleston practice—or anyone else who can’t wait to go shopping after CoolSculpting®.

Wear Clothes That Flatter

You generally don’t lose much overall body weight with CoolSculpting® and clothing sizes won’t usually go down, but this method of body contouring is great for making fat disappear from isolated problem areas. The end result may be more balanced proportions and a more toned, youthful appearance.

Your overall body type may look slightly different once your results are visible. After CoolSculpting®, you can toss out baggy clothes and opt for tighter options, such as belted dresses that accentuate your smaller waist, slim-fitting shirts for a flatter abdomen, or skinny jeans to highlight your thigh gap.

Try More Revealing Shirts

Instead of constantly hiding your arms in long sleeves, you can now flaunt them in sleeveless tops, thin straps, or tight sleeves after having CoolSculpting® to reduce back fat or upper arm fat.

Be Adventurous with Colors

As we all know, black makes you look slimmer. Many people who feel self conscious about their body wear darker, neutral, or more drab tones. Now that you’ve slimmed down that one trouble zone, try lighter shades like white, pastels, or patterns to bring attention to your frame.

Have Your Old Clothes Altered

There’s no reason to get rid of all your old favorites. You can have particular pieces professionally altered to fit your new frame. It’s the best of both worlds!

how coolsculpting is done

How Does CoolSculpting Work?

In the procedure, a technician will apply gel pads to the targeted areas and then pass over them with the device. They may also use an applicator cup with a vacuum to draw tissue into the cup.

Who Might Consider CoolSculpting?

All humans are born with a fixed number of fat cells, says Alan Matarasso, MD, a clinical professor of surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell in Hempstead, New York. After our teen years, the cells shrink or swell as we gain or lose weight. With procedures like CoolSculpting, the goal is to reverse those effects of time on the body.

At the same time, CoolSculpting is a strictly cosmetic procedure and isn’t effective as a means of weight loss, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York City. Because the cold temperatures delivered by the device penetrate only the upper layers of fat below the skin, the procedure is best used to eliminate small areas of stubborn fat. CoolSculpting can’t change a person’s overall body composition.

CoolSculpting may be a good option for people who want to reduce subcutaneous fat in a specific area, and for whom surgery might be too risky (for example, organ transplant recipients), says Dr. Matarasso. But it can’t remove as much fat as surgical options like liposuction, and it won’t remove excess skin that may develop after childbirth or significant weight loss. Excess skin requires surgical removal, Matarasso says.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting can be unpredictable, Matarasso adds, noting that the person undergoing the procedure may be disappointed if their results aren’t what they expected.

What Is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia?

“This is terrible, because they had someone who wanted a minimally invasive procedure,” he says, “and then they end up with a big scar.”

Alternatives to CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is just one brand of cryolipolysis, and other similar devices offer the same treatment. But it’s not yet clear whether one brand is more or less likely to cause PAH than another.

Separate options for noninvasive fat removal, such as Trusculpt, involve radiofrequency devices that “melt” fat cells. For very small pockets of fat, injectable treatments like Kybella may be an option, says Zeichner.

Matarasso recommends liposuction or common procedures such as the “tummy tuck” for more extensive fat removal.

“[CoolSculpting] is never going to be as dramatic as liposuction,” Matarasso said. “I took more off one patient in an hour yesterday than you could ever do with CoolSculpting.”

How to Find a CoolSculpting Provider

Although CoolSculpting is offered in nonclinical settings such as medical spas, Zeichner and Matarasso agree that if you’re considering this procedure, it’s essential to see a trained medical professional. Look for a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon; he or she will be familiar with a wide variety of treatments and procedures and can help you decide whether CoolSculpting is a suitable option for you. The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery both offer searchable databases of qualified medical practitioners in your area. In other words, just because medical spas are offering the treatment doesn’t mean the individuals working there have the aforementioned necessary credentials.

Another word of caution: Practitioners who aren’t trained in a variety of fat-loss techniques may oversell the abilities of the tools they have at their disposal, Matarasso says, and this may be particularly attractive to patients who are anxious about undergoing more invasive procedures.

“If all you have is a hammer, the whole world is a nail,” he says. “You want to go somewhere where someone can offer you options.”