Coolsculpting
At our practice, CoolSculpting is a popular nonsurgical fat reduction treatment. The FDA-approved procedure contours various areas of the body and the neck using extreme cold to destroy fat cells without harming other nearby tissues. No downtime is needed and patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately after the treatment.
Pricing: Starts at
$600
Who Is a Good Candidate for Coolsculpting?
CoolSculpting is a cosmetic body contouring treatment most often used for patients concerned about pockets of fat in areas such as the “love handles,” thighs, abdomen, hips, and buttocks. In order to be a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you need good skin elasticity. If you have loose skin, you may need a surgical procedure for best results. CoolSculpting isn’t a weight loss technique, but it is effective on fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.
Cost in Richmond
At our Richmond practice, CoolSculpting treatments start at $600. The actual cost of your treatment will depend on the specific areas you want to address. We provide a detailed quote for your treatment after your consultation.
“I will recommend Dr. Lewis to all my friends. I am extremely happy with Dr. Lewis and his staff. I can appreciate the details of office visits kept to the scheduled times to the details of what to expect before, during and after a procedure. I believe his staff is as dedicated to their jobs as Dr. Lewis is to his”
How Does CoolSculpting Work?
CoolSculpting actually freezes and crystallizes the unwanted fat cells in the area or areas where there are excess bulges of fat. After crystallizing, the fat cells gradually die and are eliminated from the body naturally. This is a process called cryolipolysis. After the freezing of the cells, some of the fat cells undergo a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). Over the 3 months following your procedure, the cells die, and your body removes the fat cells without internal scarring.
Your Custom Treatment Plan
During your consultation, our certified CoolSculpting provider will talk with you about the improvements you’d like to attain with CoolSculpting and customize a treatment plan for you. The number of treatments needed will depend on the specific areas you’d like to slim down and how your body responds to the treatment. Larger areas like the abdomen take more treatments than smaller areas like a double chin.
Your Step by Step Procedure
Your Results
The gradual process of flushing away fat cells takes about 3 weeks after a treatment and looks perfectly natural. At that time, you will begin to see results. The results improve gradually during the ensuing 3 months after each treatment. During this time, the fat cells that remain will condense so that the area will become smoother.
Most people see great results from only 1 treatment, but in many cases, a second treatment is necessary to get the desired outcome. The results are permanent, but new fat cells can develop at a later time. You can prevent this to some degree by exercising regularly and maintaining your weight at a healthy level without significant fluctuations.
CoolSculpting Recovery
No recovery time is required after CoolSculpting. You can continue with normal activities directly after your appointment. For a few days, there might be some minor redness, bruising, and tingling in the areas that were treated. However, there are a few things to avoid:
- Stay out of steam showers, saunas, and hot tubs for the first 24 hours.
- Don’t wear tight, fitted clothing. Loose, comfortable clothing prevents irritation of sensitive treated areas.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for a few days after your treatment to minimize bruising.
- Don’t eat processed, fried, or otherwise unhealthy food. Good nutrition helps maintain treatment results.
Drinking plenty of water and exercising daily will also help you get the most out of your CoolSculpting treatment.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction
Although CoolSculpting is an excellent way to treat fat and contour the body, it is not as powerful a technique as liposuction. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to have surgical liposuction to reduce unwanted fat and to improve the contour of specific areas. That said, not everyone is ready to have a surgical procedure and CoolSculpting can help most people achieve an improved contour without the need for a more invasive procedure.
If you’ve heard about CoolSculpting and how it can “freeze” away fat, request a consultation using the online form to meet with Dr. Gordon Lewis, or call our office at (804) 657-9309 to schedule an appointment.
FAQ
Does CoolSculpting require surgery?
- No, CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical, non-invasive procedure that requires no needles, no incisions, and no downtime.
Does CoolSculpting require an anesthetic?
- No, CoolSculpting is not painful, so no anesthetic is needed.
Can I remain awake during CoolSculpting?
- Yes, since no anesthetic is required, patients remain awake for the treatment.
How long does a CoolSculpting treatment last?
- About 1 hour per treatment area.
Are the results of CoolSculpting immediate?
- No, the results take at least 3 weeks to begin to show up, and they continue for about 2 to 3 months after a treatment as the fat cells are naturally expelled from the body and the remaining fat cells condense, smoothing the treated areas.
Do the destroyed fat cells return?
- No, the fat cells do not return, but you can develop new fat cells. Maintaining your weight and exercising often help to prevent the development of new fat cells.
No, CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical, non-invasive procedure that requires no needles, no incisions, and no downtime.