Back in November I had a procedure called “CoolSculpting” done. I am one of the ideal candidates for the process. Someone that isn’t really overweight, has the right amount of body fat percentage, and cannot seem to lose this baby fat around my midsection post C section.
About CoolSculpting
Procedures that use laser, sonic waves and even surgery to remove fat can actually destroy other tissue in the process by burning, shattering or extracting non-fat cells. This requires downtime for your body to heal. Totally uncool. Fortunately, CoolSculpting doesn’t burn, shatter or extract any cells. Developed by Harvard scientists, our unique, FDA-cleared, patented procedure uses a targeted cooling process that kills the fat cells underneath the skin, literally freezing them to the point of elimination. Only fat cells are frozen. Your healthy skin cells remain, well, healthy. No knives. No suction hoses. No needles. No scars. Once crystallized, the fat cells die and are naturally eliminated from your body. In a few months, boom: say hello to a new you.
To kick start your memory, you can kick here for my CoolSculpting Consultation and here for my Coolsculpting Procedure.
Here is also a video of the actual process if you are wondering (and more on that above link).
Now comes the BIG question.
Did Coolsculpting WORK?
Am I slimmer without going under the knife, thinner in certain areas, did I lose body fat and would it be worth the cost? I will let you decide.
November 2012
And today, just over 4 months later after 1 treatment of CoolSculpting:
(That is my C section scar below that pocket of fat shelf if you are wondering)
Here is a side by side
My thoughts? I don’t see any huge difference in the treatment areas..or really much difference at all. When looking at a picture my husband said that he can see some slight softening of my body and some lifting of the C section area. For your notes, I have not lost any weight or inches.
I can’t tell you if it just didn’t “work” for me or if I am the type of body that needs more than one treatment or if someone else would have a stronger result. All human bodies are very different. While I would attempt the procedure again to see if my results were better, I don’t believe it made any real difference in my shape or how I fit my clothing (which was what I was more hopeful for).
Do you think CoolSculpting made any difference that you can see?
Would you get it done or if you did, have you seen different results?
~trisha
This is a great video! I think it’s so helpful for others to know what to expect! I can see the results. I had a similar volume to treat. The plastic surgeon who performed mine was very honest about really needing more than one treatment to see great results, and he was right. I have had 3rd CoolSculpting treatments on my abdomen in the past 4 months; about six-8 weeks apart. About 5 weeks after my 2nd treatment (11 weeks after my 1st treatment). It keeps getting better now too, I haven’t had new before and after photos taken in about 6 weeks or so but now I don’t even need to see them to know that I finally have a nearly flat belly after being mistaken for a pregnant lady constantly! I couldn’t be happier, AND the best part is I’ll continue to lose a bit more fat over the next two months from the most recent treatment! If you’re on the fence, know that you really need two treatments (even if you don’t have much to lose) and most places give you a better price when purchased as a package.
I would like to see a side shot of before and after. I’ve read that CoolSculpting is not a quick fix and takes time to see results. So, a “huge” difference should not be expected at all. It looks like there is a difference though as others have mentioned. The distance from your belly button to the lower stomach crease is noticeably reduced as compared to the before pic. Were the before and after photos taken by the doctor or nurse at the practice? Using different cameras and lighting situations can make a difference. This is immediately noticeable in the tone of your skin. Thanks for sharing!
I would done the traditional cannula liposuction. I did that 2 years ago and went from 36″ waist to 31″. It was painful the first 6 weeks and and I did have to wear a compression wrap. Did you do that?
I’ve had cool sculpting and awaiting results actually!
I think your results are visible and possibly measuring from your belly button downward, towards your middle area (privates) or the end of your tummy’s smile line it may prove a change. I think I see a shorter and tighter smile line in your tummy like your spouse said.
Good luck!!!
Nice review. I’d be interested to see how you continue to change. We offer this treatment in our clinic in the UK, and have seen some fantastic results considering its a non-invasive procedure. The body takes time to break down the “broken” fat cells, and it is proven to break down 25%-40%, but sometimes it takes 6-12 months. Clinics need to set realistic expectations where results are concerned, and advise people that this make still not be a “quick” fix.
Good luck with seeing some improvements.
Thanks for sharing this. I had cool sculpting done on both my inner thighs. Same situation. I was ideal candidate. Not obese but have always had more inner thigh than my workouts can get rid of. I had two rounds on each inner thigh. First round was in September. Second round in December. I measured my thighs at the beginning, middle, and end. During the past few months I’ve maintained my regular workout schedule and eating habits. I didn’t lose a millimeter. Like you said, I’m not sure if my fat is just resistant to it. But I spent $2500 and I should have just put a down payment on lipo or a wardrobe of jeans with more thigh space.
I giggled on the wardrobe of jeans w/ more thigh space, Heather!
Great info!! Thxs so much!!
This was super interesting! Yeah…couldn’t really see a difference. I have the same “shelf” as you (only mine is not so petite!). I probably wouldn’t qualify for the procedure, but after seeing the results, I don’t think I’d be interested in trying it even if I did because the cost is so high. Honestly, for $800, I’d expect to see something quite noticeable. Maybe not a flat tummy (miracles aren’t quite that cheap, after all) but definitely a noticeable difference. I’d only go back for a second treatment if is was part of the $800 I’d paid the first time!
Thanks for the review.
Our CoolSculpting center is in Portland, Oregon and found most of patients see the best results in about 5 to 6 weeks. However, sometimes it takes up to 12 weeks. Keep us posted on your results.
Alexa
FreezeTheFatNow.com
CoolSculpting, Portland – Oregon
This was 4 months.
I was JUST going to ask you about your results! I don’t see any real difference. Maybe after another treatment, it would show more?
I agree with Lynsey that your hip area looks smoother and it does appear your scar area has “lifted”. I’m intrigued but I wonder what would be needed to see “results”.
I guess I can’t really tell a difference either. I’m not sure if what your hubs sees is just a slight difference in where your pants stop or if it may have lifted a little bit. But heck, it was worth a shot!
I don’t see much of a difference either. I hadn’t heard of this procedure before you tried it, but I would be interested to see if it works well on others.
I don’t see much difference, but I agree with your hubby. Thanks for your honesty and transparency in this review!
Thank you for the pics….am considering this procedure, however I really do not see any difference….I may have to rethink this…maybe more gym time is necessary
YIkes! How much would that have cost?
approx $800, depending on your area.
Truthfully I don’t see a difference. However, I, like you, wonder if you would see results with more than one treatment. Glad you got to try it out for free though!
If I didn’t know you had the procedure I might not have seen anything at all. With that said the “shelf” doesn’t seem as wide and the before photo has slight bulges on the side at your hips that are smaller if not gone in the after photo.
the hips may be the difference of my pants and my hands on my hips on one of the shots (cut out of the frame) because I only had it done on my stomach.
I did and it a few years ago and saw NO difference. I won a contest so the procedure was free otherwise I would have been super upset to pay all that money with no results.
Yeah, I’m not seeing results enough to justify the cost. But it is cool that you got a chance to do it and show us all about it.
Unfortunately I don’t see that much of a difference either. But I do see it softer and the part above the scar looks “higher” so maybe that part toned up a little with the exercise you’ve been doing?
I was interested in seeing if there was a difference for you, but like everyone else just see a softening of the area. It would have been really neat if you could have saw a difference.
I was hoping it would work for you…then there would be hope for me …maybe it takes longer for results to show
I wouldn’t pay for it again… not a big enough difference
I have found that there is just not a “get rid of skin or flab” easy trick.
I havent found ANYTHING that gets rid of skin…fat you can diet away but what happens to the skin from kids? Why was this easier in my 20s. LOL
I see a bit of softening of the shelf, as Chris said, but that’s about it. Not sure I’d do it for the money!
I agree with Lynsey. I notice more on the outside and that is probably from the gym. Unfortunately those lovely c section shelfs probably need the knife to be taken care of.
I can’t believe it’s been 4 months! I feel like I might be able to see a little difference, but not enough to say “YEA, I see a real difference.”
I agree with Lynsey, I think your hips look smoother.
I don’t think I see a big enough difference for the cost, either
I can see lift, if that makes sense. I agree with Lynsey, I think the gym could achieve those results and you are getting healthier…it’s like double bonus!
I agree that your hip area does look different.
I don’t see a difference. =( But I think you’re beautiful just the way you are!!!
Hmmm yeah I don’t see much. Is it designed for people like you have just have that little bit? Or is it designed for people with MORE?
Its supposed to be for people like me..ideally under 25% body fat. Over that you dont see hardly any results.
I was just told by their office in Melbourne Australia that you have to wear a max size of 16 or lower for them to consult with you. Told me “id have to shed some kilos and then call them back”!
I can see a little bit of difference – more so on the outside than on the “shelf” – your hip area looks smoother. Not sure if it is enough of a change to justify the cost however. I think you may have gotten those results just going to the gym a half a dozen times.