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Posted on 14 Feb 2017
WHAT IS CRYOLIPOLYSIS?
Cryolipolysis is more commonly known as “CoolSculpting” by patients. This procedure causes fat cells to break down through the use of cold temperatures.
These fat cells are quite vulnerable to the effects of cold temperatures. This is in contrast to other types of cells that do not have this same vulnerability. The fat cells themselves freeze during CoolSculpting, but your skin and other structures in your body are not injured in any way due to this procedure. CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is an extremely popular fat reduction treatment with more than 450,000 CoolSculpting treatments having been completed worldwide.
WHY WOULD YOU GET CRYOLIPOLYSIS?
Patients who are seeking to reduce a specific fat bulge might get cryolipolysis to deal with this problem. Sometimes, the fat bulge does not go away simply with exercise and a healthy diet. If this is the case, then patients might try cryolipolysis as a treatment method to get rid of that fat bulge.
WHO CAN’T GET CRYOLIPOLYSIS?
Some patients may have conditions related to the effects of cold temperatures. These conditions include cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaris and paroxysmal, and cold hemoglobulinuria. Patients with cold-related conditions should not get cryolipolysis. If a patient has either poor skin tone or loose skin, then this procedure might not work well either.
HOW DOES THE CRYOLIPOLYSIS TREATMENT WORK?
We first assess both the fat bulge’s shape and dimensions before we treat it. We then use an applicator that is appropriately sized and curved for the bulge. We mark the area where we are going to use the applicator, and then we put a gel pad on your skin in order to protect it. The next step in the process is that we apply the applicator, and the applicator vacuums the bulge into its hollow area.
The temperature inside the applicator decreases, and the bulge will start to get numb. You might experience some level of discomfort when the vacuum pulls on your tissue. However, this discomfort goes away in a matter of minutes once the area of the bulge has become numb.
You can simply check your smartphone, read, or watch TV during the procedure if you like. The treatment takes an hour, and once it is done, we turn off the vacuum and remove the applicator. We will massage the area of the bulge after the procedure. This can improve the results that you get from the cryolipolysis treatment.
HOW MUCH DOES CRYOLIPOLYSIS COST?
Typically, you will have to pay about $500 for a single cryolipolysis treatment. However, the price can vary from a low of $200 up to $800. Your healthcare provider, the number of treatments you get, and the number of areas you get treated all factor into how much this treatment will cost you. We recommend you make a budget to cover a minimum of two treatments for the best results.
Dr. Keith Neaman
Dr. Neaman is a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in surgical body contouring. He prides himself on being on the cutting edge of plastic surgery. He takes an informative approach to each consultation, and through open dialogue and communication, he helps his patients decide on a treatment plan that meets their needs.
