This past August, after months of struggling to burn any fat from my midsection, I decided it was finally time that I try CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that permanently reduces unwanted fatty bulges through using freezing temperatures to break down fat cells in problem areas.
I had the procedure done at SkinRefine MedSpa in Sunnyvale, California, where I also went to for my Eye Trough (under-eye) fillers and Dysport (an alternative to Botox). CoolSculpting does require a consultation first since not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. During the consultation, my wonderful RN/technician Jamieson marked the areas in my midsection to map out where the applicators would be placed.
Mapping out the areas to be treated
After mapping out and marking the 6 areas to be treated, I was given a cozy blanket, made myself comfortable and we began the treatment!
The Treatment
Each applicator treatment takes 35 minutes to complete, which is then followed by a two minute massage of the area to help break down the dead fat cells. I personally did not find it painful, but I attribute my low temperature tolerance to being from the true North (Canada)! 😁
To quickly summarize the treatment, the applicator starts to become colder and colder until it reaches a cool -11 degrees Celsius! Thankfully after about 5-10 minutes, the area starts to feel numb as you get used to the feeling. At this point, the remainder of the treatment is smooth sailing and you can relax until the end of the cycle.
The Massage
Many people claim that the massage is the most uncomfortable part of the treatment, but I personally did not find it to be so. If anything, I wanted Jamieson to continue this part since there is a 68% reduction as a result of the massage.
The Recovery Process
After the treatment, my mid-section was slightly sore for a few days and remained numb for about 2 weeks. Swelling starts to subside after about 2-3 weeks and at that point, I was excitedly watching my tummy shrink little by little with each day!
During my recovery, I did not exercise, but I did closely watch my daily calorie intake and traded in my favorites like mac & cheese for salads and more protein-based meals. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t gaining any weight or creating any new fat cells while my body was breaking down and flushing out the dead fat cells.
My Results
My Final Thoughts
As you can see from my before and after photos, I am truly amazed with the results and could not be happier that I underwent this treatment. These photos are the results of only 1 treatment (6 applicators), and I have a second round of CoolSculpting scheduled for the end of the month which I am so excited for! I will update this post with more photos after having done another round of treatments.
CoolSculpting is ideal for adults who are looking to eliminate stubborn fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise, without going under the knife. One of the best parts of CoolSculpting is that the results are long-lasting because once the fat cells within the pockets are destroyed, they will not reappear. In addition, the recovery process is minimal and painless, and does not require bedrest and months of recovery like liposuction, or other invasive fat-reduction procedures.
To book a consultation for CoolSculpting, you can contact SkinRefine MedSpa here, or call their office at 408-245-7877.
