CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive, non-surgical fat reduction technology that uses cryolipolysis to target and reduce specific areas of excess, stubborn fat. Areas of fat underneath the skin are chilled so that they become hard, essentially frozen, but the overlying skin is not frozen. The cold thermal trauma to the fat cells causes many of them to involute (shink) over a period of weeks after the treatment, reducing fat in the treated areas, improving your body contours. CoolSculpting® works best on small areas of fat that don’t warrant a surgical procedure, making it an ideal alternative to liposuction.
Dr. Goldman’s team has extensive experience with CoolSculpting®. We had the first device in the Cleveland area, over a decade ago, and since our office is directed by Dr. Goldman, we have extensive experience with related non-surgical technologies (like Kybella, a fat-reducing injectable treatment, and Morpheus, a non-surgical skin tightening technology) and surgical options (like power-assisted liposuction and Dr. Goldman’s 360 abdominoplasty) – so we can provide you with an in-depth understanding of the best available treatments, and help you select the best option for you.
Your journey starts with an initial consultation with one of our experienced, compassionate advanced practice providers to determine if you are a candidate for CoolSculpting® and, if so, which areas to target. During the consultation, our team will review your medical history, discuss your goals, examine potential treatment areas, discuss realistic goals, and create a personalized treatment plan.
To start the procedure, the areas to be treated are marked. A gel pad is placed on each area to protect the skin and to help conduct the cold thermal energy evenly. The CoolSculpting® applicator is then positioned over the targeted area. The applicator uses gentle suction to pull the skin and underlying fat between its cooling panels.
As the cooling begins, you may experience a sensation of intense cold, which typically subsides after a few minutes and may be followed by a tingling or numbing effect. During this phase, you can relax, use your phone, or even indulge in one of our custom spa treatments.
After the cooling period, which usually lasts about 35 minutes, the applicator is removed. You will typically notice temporary redness, swelling, and firmness in the treated area. These effects are generally mild and resolve quickly. Our staff will massage the treated areas, which may help increase the cryolipolysis effect.
CoolSculpting® can target any area accessible to the various applications or handpieces that apply the cold energy. The most commonly treated areas include the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, back, submentum (under the chin), and upper arms.
Contemporary treatment protocols often involve two or more treatment sessions per area. The number of sessions required will depend on your individual goals, degree of fat excess, and desired treatment areas. Most patients see noticeable results after just one session. Our team has extensive experience with CoolSculpting®, Kybella, liposuction, and other treatments, allowing us to determine which treatment or combination of treatments is best for you.
The fat cells treated with CoolSculpting® are permanently eliminated from the body. Studies suggest that the results are permanent if your weight is stable. Normal aging can produce changes in body weight and fat distribution within the body, so maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle is important to help ensure that your results are long-lasting. A small percentage of patients do not respond to CoolSculpting®.
CoolSculpting® is designed for body contouring; it is not a weight loss procedure. CoolSculpting® is best suited for individuals who are close to their ideal weight. Weight loss is possible with healthy eating and exercise, sometimes with the assistance of medication or gastric surgery. In appropriate patients, CoolSculpting® may be used to treat specific prominent areas, even if patients are above their ideal body weight. Dr. Goldman’s holistic practice philosophy encourages healthy living for all of our patients, face or body, surgical or non-surgical.
CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure with minimal downtime. Patients typically notice mild bruising and sometimes numbness at the treatment sites. Most patients resume their normal activities immediately after the treatment.
Unlike medical spas that are not plastic surgeon-owned and supervised, our office has extensive experience with liposuction, abdominoplasty, and other surgical treatments. Our advanced practice providers are committed to giving you a thorough medical assessment, leading to a tailored treatment plan that can include non-surgical or surgical treatments. If liposuction, abdominoplasty, or other surgical treatments are more likely to meet your goals and needs, we will let you know. If weight loss is necessary to obtain the best result for you, we will encourage this, too.
Our offices frequently combine CoolSculpting® with Emsculpt non-surgical muscle stimulation to maximize toning and muscle definition in appropriate patients. We refer to this as dual-sculpting. This combination is especially well suited for patients who cross-train (e.g., run and lift, or practice yoga or crossfit) and are close to their ideal body weight.
Some patients benefit from combining fat reduction with non-surgical skin tightening. Our office has extensive experience with non-surgical tightening modalities, including Morpheus radiofrequency microneedling and Sofwave focused ultrasound. These treatments are best suited for patients with mild skin excess. More severe excess may require surgical intervention, like Dr. Goldman’s 360 abdominoplasty.
Kybella is a non-surgical treatment initially designed to reduce submental fat, the fat located under the chin, commonly known as a double chin. This FDA-approved, innovative injectable treatment uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring molecule, to break down and dissolve fat cells in the targeted area. Dr. Goldman was one of the first providers in the nation to have access to this treatment.
During Kybella treatment, a series of small injections are administered to the treatment area, most commonly under the chin. The deoxycholic acid in Kybella targets and destroys fat cells, which are then gradually absorbed and eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system, improving the contour of the treated area. Results generally become visible 4-6 weeks after the treatment, with full results typically apparent in 3-6 months.
The most commonly treated areas are the submentum (under the chin) and jowls. Kybella is an office procedure with minimal downtime. Kybella is typically performed as a series of treatments, often 3 to 4 sessions, to achieve optimal results. Treatments are usually separated by about 6 weeks.
Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, or redness at the injection sites, which resolves within a few days. Under the chin, this can produce noticeable fullness for 2-3 days. You can return to work and exercise the same day.
Ideal candidates for Kybella are adults who have mild to moderate submental or jowl fat who are looking for a non-surgical option to improve their profile. Patients with more severe fullness (fat excess) may benefit from submental and jaw-line liposuction. On the other hand, patients who have mild skin looseness may be candidates for Sofwave or Morpheus skin tightening. Patients with markedly loose skin may be candidates for a face and neck lift. During your consultation, our team will review your medical history, assess your goals, and carefully examine the areas of concern to help determine if Kybella is suitable for you.
