Gotham Plastic Surgery is the only office in the heart of midtown Manhattan to offer Dual Coolsculpting. This allows two areas to be treated at once. Dual CoolSculpting allows faster treatment time for optimal patient comfort and convenience.
The ability to get rid of stubborn “low handles” and lower abdominal and back fat that diet and exercise have missed used to only be possible through invasive surgeries. That is true no longer. The revolutionary, FDA-approved CoolSculpting procedure has been used as a non-surgical solution for localized subcutaneous fat cells since 2010. Candidates for CoolSculpting are those that wish to avoid the anesthesia, needles, and incisions that are associated with other surgical options.
The Science behind CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting, developed by Harvard medical scientists, is based on the science of cryolipolysis. Zeltiq Aesthetic, Inc. has created a special device which utilizes the natural destruction of cells that occurs when exposed to cold temperatures. Freezing temperatures contract the targeted fat cells, which causes apoptosis, a process of cell death, to begin. The body absorbs the fat through metabolic processes over a period of 3-4 months. Surrounding cells, skin, tissue, muscles, and nerves are all left unharmed. Studies have shown that up to a 25% fat reduction occurs after treatment with CoolSculpting.
What happens during the procedure?
Prior to CoolSculpting, a consultation will occur with the surgeon to determine which areas of the body should be targeted during the one-hour procedure. CoolSculpting is pain free and feels much like an ice pack being placed on your body. No anesthesia or medication is needed. In fact, the cold temperature has its own pain reducing quality. While patients are awake they have been known to multitask while the surgeon works; reading, working on their computers, talking to friends, or even napping.
A gel substance will map out the area which is to be addressed. This will protect the skin. Cooling panels on the device will send freezing temperatures to the underlying fat cells while suctioning the skin. The mixture of coldness and pressure may leave the skin slightly pink or reddish for some time afterwards, typically subsiding within a few minutes to a few hours.
Recovery
Since CoolSculpting is non-invasive, there is no downtime. Patients may return to work or any of their other normal routines immediately following the procedure. Some patients report a tender feeling in the target area, while others do not. If the area does feel sensitive, it usually goes away after 24 hours. Minor bruising may also occur, but will diminish within two weeks. Some side effects, such as numbness, tingling, and bruising are possible, but will correct themselves over the course of a few weeks.
Results can take up to 3 weeks to be noticeable. After this time, patients will see a gradual, natural-looking improvement of the treated area. It can take 3 to 4 months for the apoptosis process to fully remove all treated cells. The patient and doctor may agree that additional treatments are necessary to enhance the results, although one treatment can yield satisfaction. Healthy eating and regular exercise will help patients to maintain their new appearance.