Are you struggling with stubborn pockets of fat? You know – those spots that no matter how much you diet and exercise, don’t go away. Some individuals think the only alternative is liposuction, but why go under the knife if you don’t have to? Why not find out if you’re a candidate for CoolSculpting?
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a fat-freezing, non-surgical procedure designed to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat. There are a variety of applicators, allowing the procedure to be used effectively on many areas of the body. Freezing the fat cells causes them to die, and over time they are eliminated from the body. Depending on the individual, the results are the same or similar to those achieved with liposuction. Sounds simple enough, right? You may be thinking: OK, where can I sign up?
First, you need to schedule a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for CoolSculpting.
Your Initial Consultation
You will meet with your CoolSculpting provider. They will evaluate your situation, and medical history, and decide if CoolSculping is right for you. However, it is not unusual to want to know whether you might be a good candidate for CoolSclupting before scheduling your consultation. Here are a few key indicators.
Pinchable Fat
What is pinchable fat? Think love handles or that jiggly upper arm fat. The technical term is subcutaneous fat. This fat lies just below the skin but above the muscle wall, and yes, you should be able to pinch it. Otherwise, you may be dealing with visceral fat found below the muscle wall. CoolSculpting is only effective and cleared by the FDA to be used on subcutaneous fat.
Current Weight
To be a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you should be at or close to your ideal weight. CoolSculpting isn’t a weight-loss option. It is a body contouring procedure typically used on individuals with a BMI of 30 or less. When targeting the area below the chin, a BMI of 43 is acceptable.
Overall Good Health
If you have a serious medical condition that is not under control, you may not be a good candidate for CoolSculpting. Those who suffer from chronic pain or autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis should not undergo CoolSculpting treatments.
You should also put off CoolSculpting if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. While there has been no specific research regarding CoolSculpting during pregnancy, it is not recommended. However, CoolSculpting can be beneficial after pregnancy.
Do You Have Enough Fat?
Remember when we explained pinchable fat? When trying to figure out if you’re a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you should be able to pinch at least an inch, but make sure it’s fat and not just skin. How can you tell?
Subcutaneous fat will feel spongy when pinched. Try pinching your upper arm or love handles. Now pinch the skin on the top of your hand or your elbow. Your upper arm or love handles are more likely to be predominantly fat and feel spongy when compared to your hand or elbow, which is predominantly skin.
CoolSculpting is designed to eliminate stubborn fat. If you’re pinching what feels like just skin and not fat, a skin tightening treatment might be a better option for you.
Are You a Good Candidate for CoolSculpting?
If you’ve made it this far and haven’t disqualified yourself, stop guessing and schedule a consultation. For many people, CoolSculpting is the solution. While it is not effective for those who still have a large amount of weight to lose, it’s a great option for those who are near or have reached their goal.
Vive Aesthetics and Wellness is a unique medical practice specializing in weight loss and aesthetic medicine. Dr. Pinto and his highly qualified staff can help you decide if CoolSculpting is the right option for you. Schedule your consultation today.
