Cool sculpting

[wbtravis]

Has anyone had experience with cool sculpting or non-surgical lipo?

Curious about whether they work and what the cost is.

[Guest]

Anxious to hear feedback as well...I've considered it, but I'm skeptical. It's not inexpensive based on my initial research...I think they price it to compete with surgical options (meaning there's a lot of markup for the time/effort required).

[caramelsub]

I had it done it on my tummy. For me it didn’t hurt, but others complain of discomfort. My results were not drastic or dramatic. At least not dramatic enough for me to want to fork out 1500 dollars. I took before and after pics, and I really can’t tell if it worked or not. I saw some reduction, but very subtle. It takes at least three months to see results. I think prices are the same anywhere you go. Around 750 for small applicator, and 1500 for the large applicator.

[Guest]

I had it done it on my tummy. For me it didn’t hurt, but others complain of discomfort. My results were not drastic or dramatic. At least not dramatic enough for me to want to fork out 1500 dollars. I took before and after pics, and I really can’t tell if it worked or not. I saw some reduction, but very subtle. It takes at least three months to see results. I think prices are the same anywhere you go. Around 750 for small applicator, and 1500 for the large applicator.

 

So you did it once for $1,500? I've been "advised" that they suggest three applications...and of course, it I were them, I'm sure I'd be advising that too

[bnm73]

I have trouble wrapping my head around the concept, to be honest. According to their website, it's based on the fact that some children with dimples liked to eat popsicles. All their "proof" is behind a paywall.

 

How are you "freezing fat cels" without getting frostbite?

 

How is it different than just going outside on a cold day?

 

If "cool sculpting" works, why are there fat people in cold climates, too?

 

If someone has it done and likes the results, more power to them and I'm happy for them. Personally, I'm a bit skeptical based on what little information is publicly available.

[+ FrankR]

I have trouble wrapping my head around the concept, to be honest. According to their website, it's based on the fact that some children with dimples liked to eat popsicles. All their "proof" is behind a paywall.

 

How are you "freezing fat cels" without getting frostbite?

 

How is it different than just going outside on a cold day?

 

If "cool sculpting" works, why are there fat people in cold climates, too?

 

If someone has it done and likes the results, more power to them and I'm happy for them. Personally, I'm a bit skeptical based on what little information is publicly available.

I remember seeing some videos on YouTube where Dr Oz discussed the concept. You may find it interesting.

I have not considered it - does feel like a gimmick to me. Of course, I don't blindly follow Dr Oz's advice, whatever it may be. Remember the show where John Oliver discussed Dr Oz's bogus advice around supplements:

Let the buyer beware - plenty of snake oil left out there!

[+ nycman]

My 2 second review...it works...albeit not dramatically.

 

And the science behind it is strong and sound.

 

My longer answer:

I know someone who did one love handle and not the other as “self experiment”.

Three months later the difference in the amount of fat you could grab on each side

was impressively different. From across the room, with his shirt off, you could see a

difference between the two sides. Fully dressed and walking down the street?....not so much.

 

The procedure itself is relatively painless. Although if you’re the type that “gets

weird” about medical stuff...being sucked in between two freezing metal plates....

might be a little too much at first. Relax and breath. It’s not as bad as it sounds,

and the freeze quickly makes the area numb anyways.

 

Next you have to fight the boredom of being connected to the machine. Especially

if you plan on doing more than one session in a day. Bring your iPad and some

headphones...and you’ll be fine.

 

Like all things medical, make sure you pick someone reputable who does a lot of

these. If they don’t discuss multiple options, including the option to do nothing

and just loose 10 pounds....find someone else. They should also give you realistic

expectations. As I said, it works...but it takes three months and the gradual change

is subtle and hard to detect if you don’t have a “comparison”. Also, although it’s not

a “surgical” procedure....it is permanent and irreversible. I’ve seen results that were

uneven and odd looking....mostly the results of poor choice of device placement.

 

Once, several days later I did have severe....and I mean Severe and Unrelenting....

pains in the treatment areas. After several hours of true suffering I got lucky and

noticed the area itched a lot also...so I took a Benadryl and within 10 minutes I was

pain free. It must have had something to do with histamine release from the injured

tissue and/or nerves. Just a tip in case you experience the same thing. Other times...

I’ve had “mild discomfort” at worst.

 

Love handles are relatively easy and pain free. The area just below the belly button is the

the worst. I do recommend it, especially if you are averse to liposuction. I also suggest

starting in your early forties before your skin looses too much elasticity. Later in life,

surgical options will most likely have much better results.

 

Hope that helps!

[wbtravis]

My 2 second review...it works...albeit not dramatically.

 

And the science behind it is strong and sound.

 

My longer answer:

I know someone who did one love handle and not the other as “self experiment”.

Three months later the difference in the amount of fat you could grab on each side

was impressively different. From across the room, with his shirt off, you could see a

difference between the two sides. Fully dressed and walking down the street?....not so much.

 

The procedure itself is relatively painless. Although if you’re the type that “gets

weird” about medical stuff...being sucked in between two freezing metal plates....

might be a little too much at first. Relax and breath. It’s not as bad as it sounds,

and the freeze quickly makes the area numb anyways.

 

Next you have to fight the boredom of being connected to the machine. Especially

if you plan on doing more than one session in a day. Bring your iPad and some

headphones...and you’ll be fine.

 

Like all things medical, make sure you pick someone reputable who does a lot of

these. If they don’t discuss multiple options, including the option to do nothing

and just loose 10 pounds....find someone else. They should also give you realistic

expectations. As I said, it works...but it takes three months and the gradual change

is subtle and hard to detect if you don’t have a “comparison”. Also, although it’s not

a “surgical” procedure....it is permanent and irreversible. I’ve seen results that were

uneven and odd looking....mostly the results of poor choice of device placement.

 

Once, several days later I did have severe....and I mean Severe and Unrelenting....

pains in the treatment areas. After several hours of true suffering I got lucky and

noticed the area itched a lot also...so I took a Benadryl and within 10 minutes I was

pain free. It must have had something to do with histamine release from the injured

tissue and/or nerves. Just a tip in case you experience the same thing. Other times...

I’ve had “mild discomfort” at worst.

 

Love handles are relatively easy and pain free. The area just below the belly button is the

the worst. I do recommend it, especially if you are averse to liposuction. I also suggest

starting in your early forties before your skin looses too much elasticity. Later in life,

surgical options will most likely have much better results.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Seriously thoughtful reply. Thanks, man!

[MassageDrew]

I keep seeing the commercials fir cool sculpting on TV. I’m sure it’s not a one size fits all concept. Some may take longer than others to see results.

 

I think the easier and less expensive alternative is to just make little changes to your lifestyle especially your diet. The problem with most people is that they want drastic results. They give up too easily. Introduce healthier options. You don’t even have to stop eating the bad ones. You just have to cut the portion. It really is about portion control. And stop or at least limit the amount of food you eat in between meals. Seriously, people can spend months trying to freeze the fat off yet they can’t spend months on eating healthier? It doesn’t make sense to me.

[wbtravis]

You are right, of course. Except - losing the weight that contributes to love handles also means I lose it in places I do not want to, like my face.

Vanity is a bitch.

[caramelsub]

I keep seeing the commercials fir cool sculpting on TV. I’m sure it’s not a one size fits all concept. Some may take longer than others to see results.

 

I think the easier and less expensive alternative is to just make little changes to your lifestyle especially your diet. The problem with most people is that they want drastic results. They give up too easily. Introduce healthier options. You don’t even have to stop eating the bad ones. You just have to cut the portion. It really is about portion control. And stop or at least limit the amount of food you eat in between meals. Seriously, people can spend months trying to freeze the fat off yet they can’t spend months on eating healthier? It doesn’t make sense to me.

 

Cool sculpting is not a weight loss program. But is meant for people who are in shape but have stubborn bulges like love handles, and muffin tops. I think diet helps a lot, but I think also people metabolize food in different manners. I know many people that don’t diet at all and are still skinny, and others who do watch their diet but are still fat. So I think it’s more important to find out how to boost metabolism, perhaps through strength training and maybe cardio. Or find a good personal trainer.

[Guest]

I think the easier and less expensive alternative is to just make little changes to your lifestyle especially your diet. The problem with most people is that they want drastic results. They give up too easily. Introduce healthier options. You don’t even have to stop eating the bad ones. You just have to cut the portion. It really is about portion control.

 

Ah, the simplicity of youthful health Sometimes it’s not that simple. Alas, in the last two years, my weight has fluctuated in a range of 40lbs - both up AND down - correlating around two spinal surgeries repairing injuries rooted in my youth. If I had “portion controlled” myself through that, I might have been allowed a carrot a day and unfortunately, I can’t pursue the gluten/dairy meal alternatives. But, I agree completely that both quality and quantity of “input” are a factor, but caloric burn is as well...and sometimes activities are limited by, well, pain and other considerations. For instance, I also have “the obesity gene.” I weight 190 now and I had love handles and a gut when I weighted 115’...but my glutes, quads, and calves are as lean and developed as many body builders’ might achieve. For me, it’s a tale of two bodies - lean from the waist down and chubby from the waist up.

[+ Pensant]

I didn’t need it, but I had fat grafting done on my face and they took the fat from my abdomen and I’m now a 31/32. No pain or issues, but I had to wear a girdle for about a month or so post-op. From those who’ve done it, cool-sculpting only works if you maintain a sensible diet and exercise.

[Guest europeanman]

It is not snake oil. It is a recognised non invasive procedure. RF sculpting is another non invasive options. Lipo is the invasive surgical option. I would advise to find a Plastic Surgeon who performs all three and discuss pros and cons. Just make sure to go to an experienced qualified plastic surgeon.

[Guest]

Just make sure to go to an experienced qualified plastic surgeon.

Good point, there are three non-medical spas within a half mile of my house that offer it. Mani/pedi next to fat reduction isn’t an appealing thought First in my market to offer it was my dermatologist...but she stopped offering it quickly which gave me pause....

[MassageDrew]

Absolutely. I don’t think anyone should cut corners when it comes to your body. It’s one thing to the buy the knockoff for a $1500 pair of shoes but you shouldn’t want anything less than a certified or licensed establishment for your body. You may even be able to get a referral from your doctor’s office for some specialist that performs it. I’d rather see an actual doctor and pay the price than go somewhere sketchy and end up paying a lot more $$ to repair the mistake.

[+ Brad in NYC]

I agree with the comments about going to a real Dr.’s office. The procedure works and it is a fine tuning type thing, not a dramatic OMG thing. I’m sensitive to cold and it was not comfortable, but bearable. I just listened to podcasts during the procedure. For minor spot reduction, recommended.

[caramelsub]

The problem is plastic surgeons don’t make any money from cool sculpting. They want to perform liposuction which is where the money is at for them. So many of them don’t offer it, unless they are affiliated with a spa, or dermatology office. You only need to take some class to administer the applicator, then the machine does the rest. It will be the same price wherever you go. Doctors don’t generally consult for cool sculpting. It’s usually a technician.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Has anyone had experience with cool sculpting or non-surgical lipo?

Curious about whether they work and what the cost is.

 

CoolSculpting is really best for people who only have 2-5 lbs of extra to lose. It's marketed for those who have worked out, dieted and still can't lose that little tummy.

 

If you're wanting to lose more and in a less-invasive way, I'd recommend looking at AirSculpting.

 

Not sure what your circumstance is, but it's always better having more info than less

[wbtravis]

CoolSculpting is really best for people who only have 2-5 lbs of extra to lose. It's marketed for those who have worked out, dieted and still can't lose that little tummy.

 

If you're wanting to lose more and in a less-invasive way, I'd recommend looking at AirSculpting.

 

Not sure what your circumstance is, but it's always better having more info than less

 

Wow! Sure will. Thank you.

[caramelsub]

Hmmm I looked up airsculpting, it looks likes it’s a trademark name owned by one general surgeon in Beverly Hills. I believe it’s a form of liposuction, still invasive.

[HotWhiteThirties]

If it worked, I couldn’t tell it, and after all, isn’t that the point? By the standards of those who promote the procedure, I was text book for great success (ie, I was in decent shape and had a couple stubborn areas hanging on, but nothing major.)

 

Total. Waste. Of. Money.

 

Basically, if it won’t burn off with deficit caloric intake and exercise, best I can tell, having it sucked out is the most effective, albeit invasive, method.

[Guest europeanman]

My plastic surgeon uses a lipo suction procedure named Radio Frequency Assisted LipoTightening. He says, it is lipo suction assisted with an RF machine for tightening the skin. It is invasive, a surgical operation performed in a hospital under local anaesthesia, but it has less pain, less downtime and leaves the skin tight not sagging. It can be used on the body and the face. I have not tried it.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Hmmm I looked up airsculpting, it looks likes it’s a trademark name owned by one general surgeon in Beverly Hills. I believe it’s a form of liposuction, still invasive.

 

I said less-invasive, which it is, compared to traditional lipo

 

It was developed by a doc in Beverly Hills. He's now licensing it out to plastic surgeons.