CoolSculpting… What is it, What To Expect + My Experience

If you’ve been following me lately on Instagram, then you already know I had CoolSculpting treatment on my entire abdomen area. This means my lower and uppers abs, as well as my love handles area.

Many people look at me and have said, “Really, why would you need to get that done, you’re a pretty fit girl?” The reality is, I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I have never been wildly overweight, but enough to make me work really hard to be a size 6-8, which is average and I’m ok with. But, I have to workout like crazy, really watch what I eat and even calorie restrict from time to time. I’ve also had two kids, and we all know what that does to the body!

I went to an informational session hosted by Sheri Golden, founder and owner of Allure Rejuvenation Center, a couple of months ago. I learned that CoolScultping® is the answer to my stubborn abdomen fat. I have two kids under four and I am a nurse, so I understand complications and recovery time of surgery….AND I don’t have time for that. My family needs me at 100% all of the time. Finding a non-invasive away to permanently get rid of the fat … SIGN ME UP!

Let’s break it down and tell you everything you need to know about CoolScuplting.

What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved fat freezing technology. It is a safe, effective and affordable way to remove stubborn fat deposits via cold temperature therapy. Fat cells are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures, CoolSculpting delivers controlled cooling to target those resisting fat cells right under the skin. It is also the world’s #1 non-invasive fat-reduction procedure.

How does CoolSculpting work?
The treated fat cells are crystallized, then turn into dead cells and naturally and permanently eliminated by the body through natural human process. This is how you are left with a more sleek, toned and sculpted body as early as 4-weeks, but full results seen within 12 weeks.

What are the results of CoolSculpting?
Our bodies have a predetermined number of fat cells, each CoolSculpting treatment decreases that number by approximately 20-25 percent. Fat can be reduced on multiple areas of the body with the CoolSculpting procedure. While one session can provide significant results, depending on the individual, additional sessions may further enhance results.

Is there downtime after the treatment?
This is completely non-invasive and non-surgical, so you can expect to return to normal activities right after a session. The only downtime for the procedure is the actual procedure itself. After my treatments, I went to Target to grab a few groceries and household items, then picked up my kid’s from school. The day after both treatment sessions, I worked a 13 hour nursing shift in the ICU.

Who is a candidate for CoolSculpting?
Anyone who has a stubborn area of fat in the abdomen, love handles, banana roll just under the buttocks, inner and outter thighs, upper back, chin, arms and bra fat/man boobs. But, it has to be fat, it will not help with excess, sagging skin or even loose muscle (common on the arms). Results are seen by BOTH men and women (you can follow my friend Alex’s CoolSculpting® journey for a man’s prospective on the procedure).

I’ve just had a baby, can I get CoolSculpting® treatment?
The answer is yes, as long as you are no longer breastfeeding. If you are postpartum and had a C-Section, then you need to be cleared by your surgeon from a surgery/incision standpoint (Plus from my experience I think you’re going to want to ensure you can handle the initial suction and tingling, plus some tender/soreness and numbness for a couple of weeks after treatment). This treatment is not an option if you are currently pregnant.

Is CoolSculpting safe and convenient?
A treatment session lasts anywhere from 60 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the treatment area, with no incisions or downtime. Because of the highly targeted delivery of cooling the treated area is all that is affected, the adjacent tissue is untouched.  CoolSculpting session are also convenient, patients are able to read, work on their laptops, watch a movie or even take a nap! During my sessions I hosted Live sessions on my IG Story, worked and even took a nap. Yeah, I was there for a long time; the abs are treated separately because of overlap, but the flanks we DualSculpted, treating two areas at the same time, and took a lot less time.

My CoolSculpting Experience

The first session started off with the consultation. Sheri assessed my abdomen and determined it was an ideal spot for treatment. I changed into disposable shorts, we took before photos, from just about every angle possible, then she marked up my abdomen for placement of the cooling device. We also decided my treatment should be split into two sessions. because the abdomen can’t be DualScuplted. Total treatment time for abdomen and love handles was about five hours in two sessions.

I made myself comfortable on the big cozy chair and we got started. The process began with cleaning the area, then placing a thin gel-like sheet over the marked area. This is the protective layer between the skin and device to prevent frostbite. Next the suction device was placed on the area. I would say it was like an intense vacuum suctioning in my stomach fat, then the freezing process began. I would be lying if I said there was absolutely no discomfort. I didn’t experience any pain on my lower abdomen areas, but had some tingling/stinging pain on my flanks/love handles area. This only lasted about five minutes and then the treated area was numb. I would say it felt like placing an ice pack directly on your skin when icing a shoulder, knee etc…

Once the cooling was complete the device and gel sheet were removed. The area was red and raised, this is totally normal. Then Sheri began to massage the treated area for two minutes. This is a very important step, as it increases the efficacy of the fat cell loss. For me this was the most uncomfortable part of the entire process. The flank area was actually really tender during this, and a little painful, but went away within about 10 minutes (that’s including the massage time).

These steps were repeated for each area marked for both sessions. Once everything was finished, I left and went on with my daily activities, such as running errands and picking up my kids from school. The treatment areas were sore and numb for the next week. The lower abdomen soreness and numbness was much more than the flank area, but I had no trouble picking up and holding my girls. I am still feeling slightly numb over my entire abdomen area, but each day it continues to decrease and normalize.

Allure Rejuvenation Center

Allure is a boutique skin and body care practice In Walnut Creek serving the Bay Area. Sheri Golden, PA, and the Medical Director, Wilson Tsai, MD, have created Allure as a place where women and men can elevate their beauty in a relaxing and professional environment. Sheri brings her New York City experience and techniques to work with you to rejuvenate and enhance your natural beauty.

Before my CoolSculpting treatment, I saw Sheri for my lip injections. I have had such an insecurity with my bottom lip since I was little and wanted help to plump it up for a more proportionate, even look. I will do a more in-depth post on this soon, but wanted to touch on it briefly because it was the best experience. She really took such an artistic approach to ensure it was even, plump and most importantly natural. This immediately gave me comfort leading up to my CoolSculpting® treatments.

My most most asked question is cost. An important factor in determining price is the size of the applicator for treating the area. Small to medium applicators (treating the under chin, upper arms, thighs and love handle) cost approximately $750 per applicator. The large applicators (for the abdomens) cost approximately $1,500 per applicator.  Of course different specialist may have different pricing, BUT for my SF Bay Area readers and friends, Sheri has a special for the month of September where you get 15% off CoolSculpting® treatments. Also there is another informational session coming up on November 1 called Bye Bye Batwings.

Now that you are familiar with CoolSculpting and hearing my experience, what do you think…Would you do it? What area would you choose to have done? I have tried to be as open and candid as possible throughout this process, If you have ANY questions please do not hesitate to ask. You can comment below, send me an email or contact me through any of my social media accounts.

Thank you so much for stopping by and hope you have a great week!

 

**I received complimentary treatments in exchange for this post, all opinions are entirely my own**