Having body fat is a natural part of being human. Having too much fat in a particular area, such as the abdomen, under the chin, or the thighs, doesn’t have to be. And yet, if you’re like the vast majority of adults, you may struggle to slim these areas and more. The fact about fat is that it can be incredibly stubborn, holding on to the body for dear life when all we want is to see our natural curves. Here, we discuss why this is and what CoolSculpting can do to help you finally eliminate those fat cells that just won’t go away with diet and exercise.

There are two kinds of fat on the body, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is deep and worrisome. This abdominal fat can wrap around internal organs like the liver and pancreas. We get visceral fat when we do not sleep well, when we smoke or live a sedentary lifestyle, and when our diet has more unhealthy fat, sugar, and other low-nutrient substances. The only way to get rid of visceral fat is through dietary changes and regular physical activity. Because this type of fat is linked to a number of troubling health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, we want to do all that we can to manage it. The other type of fat we can develop is subcutaneous fat. This sits right beneath the skin and it is a type of fat nearly every person has to some degree. Subcutaneous fat is necessary for body heat and hormone regulation. However, as a result of hormone changes, age, and genetic predisposition, some people hold more subcutaneous fat than is ideal. These factors can make it difficult to sculpt the body even with relatively good lifestyle habits. That’s why so many people seek a little help in the body sculpting department.

How We Permanently Destroy Fat Cells

Researchers have found that fat cells are more susceptible to damage from cold temperatures than other kinds of cells. Studies have found the precise temperature at which fat cells are destroyed without detriment to the skin and other healthy cells. What has been discovered is that cold injury to fat cells triggers an inflammatory response in the body. This stimulates the immune system to send white blood cells called macrophages to remove the destroyed cellular debris. How do we incur the necessary damage to susceptible fat cells? With CoolSculpting, of course!

How Much Fat Does CoolSculpting Eliminate?

Studies done on the CoolSculpting procedure have found that patients experience an average of 15 to 25% fat loss in the four months following their treatment. It does take time to see the physical effects of the cryolipolysis process created by CoolSculpting. This is because the treatment works naturally using the body’s natural elimination systems. While it is not uncommon to start to notice changes in the first three weeks after CoolSculpting treatment, we advise patients to patiently watch their physique transform over a 12-week period.

When considering CoolSculpting, it is important to understand that, though the procedure destroys fat cells and the body eliminates them, the treatment is about body contouring, not weight loss. One of the many benefits of CoolSculpting is that fat cells are gone forever. Patients also appreciate that the procedure is non-surgical and requires no downtime. That said, it does not eliminate as much fat as liposuction. Even in the case of surgery, though, the end result is a more sculpted body, not weight loss.

Why Choose CoolSculpting?

Patients choose CoolSculpting for a wide variety of reasons. On the clinical level, this procedure is beneficial for the following reasons:

• The procedure is completely non-invasive
• No risk of nerve or muscle damage
• There is very little risk involved
• No anesthesia or sedation is required
• Zero downtime
• Multiple areas of the body can be treated

As you begin to slough off those winter layers, consider how you want to look as the weather continues to warm. For more information or to schedule your CoolSculpting consultation, contact our Westport, CT office at (203) 226-3600.