What to do After CoolSculpting® for Best Results?

A CoolSculpting® procedure can take anywhere from one to two hours, depending on treatment areas, and is performed by a physician or trained healthcare professional using a handheld device with applicators similar in appearance to the nozzles of a vacuum cleaner. During the treatment, the targeted fatty tissue is suctioned into the applicator which then delivers a precise cooling temperature to cool and eventually freeze the fat. Sensations of pulling and pinching are common during the process, but overall, the procedure involves minimal pain. The provider will then massage the treated area(s) immediately after treatment to break up any frozen deep tissue. Some people may find this massage a little uncomfortable, but it is a key step in helping the body to absorb the destroyed fat cells.

Before deciding on CoolSculpting® you will have a thorough consultation with the provider who will perform the procedure and you will be able to address any questions or concerns you may have. They will want to know about your history with weight gain or loss, your overall health, and your goals. They will take measurements and photos of your body in its current state and most crucially will assess your fat, to make sure it is eligible for CoolSculpting®. Not all fat is created equal – in order to be eligible for CoolSculpting® fat must be ‘soft’ and ‘pinchable’; if the fat is ‘hard,’ you will need to consider a different fat reduction option.

Following the consultation, you will be able to schedule your first treatment session. For this first visit you will be asked to wear something that you don’t mind getting wet or sticky. The gel can be a little messy, but it washes out easily with water. Pen markings will be made to act as a guide for where the applicator will be placed, you will then be asked to lie down on a treatment bed and given pillows and blankets to make you comfortable. Once you are ready, a cold, wet, disposable cloth covered in the ‘gel’ will be placed over the treatment area, the suction applicator applied and the fat will be suctioned in, pulling it towards the handpiece like a vacuum. The treatment can take 1 to 2 hours and, once complete, you will be given after care instructions and can return to your day.

If you’ve had a CoolSculpting® treatment, it’s only natural that you are going to want to achieve the best possible results, in the best possible time. First and foremost, you should follow the aftercare advice that you receive from the clinic following your procedure. In order for you to achieve optimal results, it is important that your body isn’t clogged up with excess waste and toxins. These could come from too much caffeine, alcohol, and junk foods, so these should be restricted and water intake increased. This latter point is crucial as it will help your body to remove waste quickly and efficiently. In short:

– Drink 2.5 litres water every day
– Limit caffeinated drinks to 1-2 per day
– Limit alcohol to a maximum of 8 units per week
– Limit processed foods, takeaways and junk food
– Avoid smoking
– Avoid recreational drugs

Whilst not essential, the following things will be beneficial to your overall results along with helping you make healthier lifestyle choices:

– Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates
– Watch portion sizes
– Increase healthy fats (oily fish, animal fats, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil etc)
– Increase protein (white meat, fish, grass-fed red meats, plant proteins)
– Be more active – exercise regularly and include weight training
– Get plenty of good, restful sleep – aim for around 8 hours every night
– Lower stress levels

Although there is no real downtime associated with CoolSculpting®, it is recommended that you avoid the following for at least two days post treatment:

– Heavy exercise
– Using a hot tub
– Ibuprofen (Advil)
– Alcohol
– Blood-thinning agents as they can make any bruising worse
– Recreational drugs

We also offer a wide range of other services such as medical weight loss, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, treatment for sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction or sexually transmitted diseases. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Chesapeake VA, Norfolk VA, Portsmouth VA, Alexandria VA, Hybla Valley, Springfield, Jacksonville NC, Half Moon, Piney Green, Surf City NC, Sloop Point, Holly Ridge, and surrounding areas.