Who Is a Candidate for CoolSculpting® Elite?
CoolSculpting® Elite may be well suited for individuals who are close to their ideal weight but struggle with localized fat deposits that resist healthy lifestyle efforts. It is not designed to be a weight-loss solution but rather a body contouring treatment designed to refine specific areas.
A majority of the time, good candidates include patients who:
- Maintain a stable weight
- Have visible, pinchable fat in targeted areas
- Prefer a non-surgical approach to fat reduction
- Are in generally good health
- Have realistic expectations about results
During a consultation, our experienced providers can evaluate your goals, anatomy, and medical history to determine whether CoolSculpting® Elite is the best option for you.
How Is CoolSculpting® Elite Performed?
A CoolSculpting® Elite session is typically performed in-office and often lasts between 30 minutes to an hour per treatment cycle, depending on the areas being addressed.
Once the applicators are placed on the targeted area, controlled cooling is delivered to freeze fat cells beneath the skin. Patients may feel intense cold at first, followed by numbness as the area becomes desensitized. As the fat cells decrease in size and number, your body will naturally process these fading cells to shrink down the fat of the treated area.
During treatment, many patients relax, read, use their phone, or watch television. After the applicators are removed, the treated area is briefly massaged to enhance fat breakdown. No downtime is generally required, although mild redness, swelling, or tenderness may occur temporarily.
What is Recovery Like for CoolSculpting® Elite?
Recovery following CoolSculpting® Elite is typically quick and requires little to no downtime, making it a convenient option for many patients. Some patients may experience temporary redness, swelling, bruising, or numbness in the targeted area, which usually resolves within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, most individuals can return to their normal activities immediately after their procedure. There are no surgical incisions to heal and no anesthesia to recover from, which sets CoolSculpting® Elite apart from more invasive fat reduction options. As the body gradually processes the treated fat cells in the weeks following the session, patients can usually go about their daily routine with minimal interruption.
How Long Do CoolSculpting® Elite Results Last?
Every patient has distinctive body chemistry and as such, results can vary from person to person. In most cases, results from CoolSculpting® Elite develop gradually as the body naturally eliminates treated fat cells over the course of several weeks to months. Many patients begin noticing changes as early as three to four weeks, with optimal results typically visible around three months.
Once fat cells are destroyed, they do not regenerate. This means results can be long-lasting, provided patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. While remaining fat cells can expand with weight gain, the treated areas usually retain improved contour compared to before treatment.
For some patients, multiple CoolSculpting® Elite or CoolSculpting® treatment sessions may be recommended to achieve ideal results. Our team can guide you through a personalized plan designed to help you maintain your outcome long term.