Should I Lose Weight Before CoolSculpting®?

CoolSculpting® is one of the best ways to get the trim, tight body you’ve been dreaming of, but it may not be an option for you just yet.

Before we recommend CoolSculpting, Kathleen J. Smith, MD, and our Dermatology Specialists of Atlanta team evaluate your current health status and discuss where you are on your weight loss journey to ensure you’re a good candidate. 

Here’s a closer look at how it all works so you can decide if CoolSculpting is right for you or if you’re not quite ready for it. 

The biology behind the scenes

The extra fat you carry doesn’t necessarily mean you have more fat cells than before. Unless you’re severely obese, you’ve likely had the same number of fat cells you did as an adolescent; they’ve just expanded over the years, causing them to occupy more space and increase body volume. When you lose weight, those fat cells shrink and reduce your body volume.

The CoolSculpting applicators deliver cold temperatures below the surface of your skin to freeze those fat cells, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear.

This is why we recommend being at or near your ideal weight, so your fat cells are as small as possible and easier to eliminate.

Getting to your ideal weight

Some of our patients see us hoping that CoolSculpting is all they need to finally fit into their skinny jeans. But CoolSculpting is not a weight loss treatment.

If you need help getting closer to your ideal weight, you’re in the right place. During your consultation, we can recommend appetite suppressants and/or supplements to increase your energy and help you lose weight.

We also discuss what has and hasn’t worked as you’ve tried to lose weight and help you adjust your current plan. We may recommend changing your diet, increasing your activity levels, or partnering with a nutrition or weight loss specialist.

When you’re ready for CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is a safe and effective treatment that’s virtually risk-free. During CoolSculpting, you lie down on our treatment table. Your specialist uses the applicator to deliver controlled cooling power to fat cells. We move the device over your skin to ensure even treatment results.

Depending on the size of the treatment area, your session could last 30-60 minutes. Many patients rest, nap, read, or chat about emails during treatment.

You may notice some redness, tenderness, aching, or bruising at the treatment site, but these side effects are mild and typically only last a few days. Expect results to fully develop over the next three or four months.

Life after CoolSculpting

After CoolSculpting has helped you reach the end of your weight loss journey, it’s time to start again. We recommend continuing the healthy diet and exercise habits you developed when you worked hard to prepare for your first CoolSculpting treatment. Even focusing on and supporting your mental health, getting enough sleep at night, and staying hydrated can go a long way in maintaining your CoolSculpting results. 

If you’re curious about CoolSculpting and want to see if you’re ready to start treatment, we’d love to talk with you. Call or click to schedule an appointment with the team at our Decatur, Georgia, office today.