Do You Suffer From Exercise Resistant Fat Bulges? Christine Zullo, PA-C with Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics Explains More About Non-Invasive CoolSculpting®, It’s Benefits And The Availability of CoolSculpting In Fort Lauderdale & Coconut Creek.
Many people maintain a healthy active lifestyle, and for the most part, their body reflects it. However, as you age, your metabolism rate slows down and despite working out and eating a well balanced diet, fatty bulges begin to find a permanent place around your waistline, stomach, and upper back. In the past, the only option was to undergo surgical treatments such as liposuction. This seemed like the right option because it would remove the fat cells permanently; however the downtime and risk of complications make patients hesitant to move forward with treatment. The good news is there is now an alternative to surgical interventions to remove the stubborn fat bulges – CoolSculpting. The best part? You don’t have to travel outside of Florida for the treatement! At Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics we offer CoolSculpting in Fort Lauderdale and Coconut Creek!
Coolsculpting is considered the newest non-invasive treatment to reduce fat cells. This treatment is ideal for people who are not overweight, but despite their active lifestyles, have a fat bulge that is resistant to working out or dieting.
What is Coolsculpting? This procedure uses a precisely controlled cooling method called Cryolipolysis to target, cool, and eliminate fat cells without damage to neighboring tissue. This means, no cutting, scarring, or post-surgical complications. Two to four months after the procedure, your body breaks down the crystallized fat cells, and they are naturally flushed from your body permanently. The key word being naturally; there is a natural cell destruction of the fat cells, and then they are eliminated through your lymphatic system. Results are based on each individual, but on average the procedure leads to about 20% reduction of fat in the treated area. And the best part, it is a permanent reduction. If you were to gain weight, the fat will be distributed to other areas in the body, but will not go back to the treated area.
What to expect during the procedure? Before you have the procedure, your provider will assess the desired areas and decide if you are the right candidate. Once it has been determined that the treatment is right for you, photos and measurements are obtained. The treatment is further analyzed and markings are done on the skin to ensure proper applicator placement. There is no need for general or topical anesthesia or pain medication before the procedure.
There is a comfortable procedure room with a large chair that turns into a bed. You are placed in the position that is both comfortable for you and in which the applicator is easily applied. A cooling sheet is gently place on the marked treatment area. This is to protect your skin from the cooling plate. Then the provider will apply the applicator to the treated area. Once it is applied, you will feel a vacuum pressure as the fat bulge is drawn up in between the two cooling panels. You may feel a pulling sensation initially, but typically it only lasts for the first 5 to 10 minutes. Once the treatment is started, you will feel an intense cold sensation that may even feel like it is burning. This will last about 8 to 10 minutes, at which point the area will become numb and you will not feel much after that. During the remaining hour you can watch TV, play on your computer, read a book, or sleep if you choose to.
Each treatment area takes an hour for the treatment, so depending on how many areas you are treating will depend on the total procedure time. You do get breaks in between applicator placements where you can have a bathroom break or get up to stretch your legs. You can even eat during your break, or if you want during the procedure itself!
Once the hour is finished, the applicator is removed along with the cooling sheet. This reveals a red, swollen area that resembles a stick of butter. But you don’t have to worry about the area staying that way for long. The redness subsides within a few minutes as the body heats back up. The provider will do a light massage to break apart the crystallized fat cells and flatten the area. You will most likely not feel the massage because you will still be numb. In fact, this numbness can last for about 4 to 6 weeks. After a short break, the next treatment area is prepped and the cycle starts all over.
Once the procedure is completed, you will make a follow up appointment in 8 to 12 weeks for post-pictures. There is no true recovery time, and you can resume normal activities right after the procedure as tolerated. You will feel a temporary dulling sensation and numbness for a few weeks after the procedure, and mild bruising and soreness may occur for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Most people do not begin to notice reduction for about 8 to 12 weeks, although you can begin seeing improvement as early as 6 weeks. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and drink plenty of fluids right after the procedure. It may also be beneficial to have a lymphatic drainage massage about a month after the treatment to help your lymphatic system eliminate the fat cells from your body.
Most people see significant results with one treatment, however there are some candidates that will need additional treatments for their optimal results. All in all, Coolsculpting is an extremely safe and effective fat reduction procedure, and a great alternative to surgical liposuction treatments.
Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics is a Certified CoolSculpting Practice and we offer CoolSculpting in Fort Lauderdale and Coconut Creek. To book your Free CoolSculpting Consultation, or for more information on CoolSculpting, please call 954.537.4106 and speak to one of our friendly appointment schedulers.
Founded in 2006, Natura Dermatology & Cosmetics is wholly owned by Will Richardson, MD FAAD one of Fort Lauderdale’s premiere cosmetic and general dermatologists. We offer CoolSculpting in Fort Lauderdale and Coconut Creek as well as an array of skin treatment options, Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, skin checks, mole and leg vein removal along with age defying treatments like Allumera, Ultherapy, Natura Sciences MD, Botox Cosmetic, Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse.
