If you are considering CoolSculpting, it is normal to have questions before you commit to a treatment plan. Below, you will find answers to the questions our patients ask most often, from candidacy and cost to what the treatment actually feels like.
At Premiere Center for Health & Wellness, every CoolSculpting session is guided by a team that understands your goals and health history, so you can make an informed decision with confidence. If you don’t see your question here, our staff is always happy to walk you through the details during a one-on-one consultation.
CoolSculpting at a Glance
- FDA-cleared to treat visible fat bulges in nine areas of the body, from the abdomen to beneath the chin
- Uses cryolipolysis, a non-surgical fat freezing process with no anesthesia, incisions or downtime
- Results typically begin appearing around three weeks after treatment and peak at two to three months
- The body eliminates frozen fat cells and they do not return
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate?
Good candidates have noticeable bulges in certain areas they’d like to get rid of. The CoolSculpting fat reduction procedure is specifically designed for those who have unwanted fat that resists diet and exercise. Unlike gastric bypass surgery, the CoolSculpting procedure is not a weight loss solution for people who are obese. It is, however a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. Request a one-on-one consultation with us to determine if the CoolSculpting procedure is right for you.
How much does the CoolSculpting procedure cost?
The price for CoolSculpting procedures varies depending on your areas of concern, the number of sessions needed, and your ultimate goals. We will help create a customized treatment plan, in person, that’s tailored to your body, your goals, and your budget.
How long is each session? How many sessions will I need?
We will help you create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your specific goals. The length of your CoolSculpting session will vary depending on the number of areas being treated during one visit. We may schedule additional sessions in order to meet your goals.
Where does the fat go? Are the results permanent?
Once the treated fat cells are crystallized (frozen), your body processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells. Once the treated fat cells are gone, they’re gone for good.
What does it feel like?
As the cooling begins during the first few minutes, you will feel pressure and intense cold. This soon dissipates. Many people read, watch videos, work on their laptop, or even take a nap during their treatment.
Is the CoolSculpting procedure safe?
The CoolSculpting procedure is FDA-cleared for the flank (love handles), abdomen, and thigh. With over one million CoolSculpting treatments performed worldwide, it is proven to be a safe and effective treatment for non-surgical fat reduction.
Are there any side effects?
During the procedure you may experience deep pulling, tugging, pinching, numbness or discomfort. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary numbness, redness, swelling, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging and pain. Rare side effects may also occur. The CoolSculpting procedure is not for everyone. You should not have the CoolSculpting procedure if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. The CoolSculpting procedure is not a treatment for obesity. As with any medical procedure, ask us if the CoolSculpting procedure is right for you.
Can I return to normal activities after my treatment?
Yes, you can. The CoolSculpting procedure is completely non-surgical, so typically you can return to normal activities immediately. Often times, patients return to work after their CoolSculpting session is over.
When will I see results?
You may start to see changes as quickly as three weeks after your treatment, and will experience the most dramatic results after two months. But your body will still flush out fat cells and continues doing so for up to four to six months after treatment.
Do I need to take special supplements or follow a strict diet and exercise program?
No supplements or pills are required and you do not have to adopt new diet and exercise habits. Many patients feel more motivated to take care of themselves after their CoolSculpting treatment. It is as if they get a second lease on their body and want to start anew again by taking even better care of themselves.
What areas of the body can CoolSculpting treat?
CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared to treat visible fat bulges in nine areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, upper arms, back, bra fat, underneath the buttocks and the area beneath the chin and jawline.
Each area responds a little differently. In clinical studies of the submental area alone, patients treated with two CoolSculpting sessions saw an average 33 percent reduction in fat layer thickness, with roughly 85 percent reporting satisfaction with their outcome. During your consultation, we will assess which of these areas hold onto fat that has resisted your diet and exercise efforts and map out a plan that addresses your specific concerns rather than a generic treatment template.
Is there a difference in how CoolSculpting treats the abdomen versus the chin or jawline?
The underlying process, cryolipolysis, is the same everywhere on the body, but the applicators used for the abdomen and flanks are larger and designed to draw in broader areas of fat, while the applicator used beneath the chin is smaller and shaped to fit the contours of the jawline and neck. Session length and the sensation you feel can also vary slightly by area. We will explain exactly what to expect for each specific zone you choose to treat.
Who performs my CoolSculpting treatment at Premiere Center?
Your CoolSculpting session is performed by Sally Lake, RN, BSN, whose nursing background and cosmetic training make her especially skilled at customizing applicator placement for natural-looking contours.
Sally works alongside Dr. Linda Clemmons Evans, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, so your care is grounded in a genuinely medical setting rather than a walk-in storefront. Learn more about our team and the credentials behind every treatment we offer.
Can I combine CoolSculpting with other treatments at Premiere Center?
Yes. Many patients pair CoolSculpting with services like Botox or Juvéderm to address fat reduction and facial rejuvenation in the same visit, or add Ultherapy to help tighten skin in areas where CoolSculpting has reduced fat volume.
Because CoolSculpting removes fat cells but does not address loose skin on its own, combining it with a skin-tightening treatment is a common strategy for patients who want a more complete result. We will talk through which combinations make sense for your goals during your consultation.
Is CoolSculpting painful?
Most patients describe the sensation as intense cold rather than pain. During the first several minutes of your session, you will likely feel pulling, tugging, pinching and cold at the treatment site, but this typically fades as the area goes numb. From that point on, most patients read, work on a laptop or simply relax until the cycle ends. Any soreness that follows treatment is usually mild and resolves within a few days.
What is the difference between CoolSculpting and CoolSculpting Elite?
CoolSculpting Elite is the newer generation of the technology, featuring dual applicators that treat two areas at once and a contoured cup design that conforms more closely to the body. Both versions rely on the same cryolipolysis process to freeze and eliminate fat cells, so the science behind your results does not change. What differs is treatment efficiency and, for some body types, comfort during the session. We will recommend the version and applicator style best suited to your treatment areas.
How many CoolSculpting sessions or applicators will I need?
This depends entirely on the size and number of areas you want treated, as well as the results you are hoping to achieve. Some patients see the improvement they want with a single cycle per area, while others choose a second round several months later to further refine their contour. During your consultation, we will walk you through before-and-after photos of patients with similar goals, so you have a realistic sense of what your treatment plan may involve.
Can men have CoolSculpting?
Absolutely. While Premiere Center was founded with a focus on women’s health, CoolSculpting is appropriate for any adult who is near a stable, healthy weight and struggling with fat that has not responded to diet and exercise.
Men commonly seek treatment for the abdomen, flanks and chest area, and the consultation and treatment process is the same regardless of gender. Because male and female fat distributions can differ, applicator placement is still tailored to the individual rather than applied the same way for every patient.
Will my CoolSculpting results look natural, or too dramatic?
CoolSculpting is designed to produce a gradual, natural-looking change rather than a sudden transformation. Because your body needs time to process and eliminate the treated fat cells, results build slowly over the weeks following your session, which is part of why they tend to look like your body simply responded to a healthier lifestyle rather than a cosmetic procedure. Most patients find that friends and family notice they look more toned, but they can’t pinpoint exactly what changed.
What if I have a hernia or scar tissue in the treatment area?
Please tell us about any prior surgeries, hernias or significant scar tissue during your consultation. These factors do not automatically rule out CoolSculpting, but they do affect how we plan applicator placement and which areas we prioritize. Your safety always comes first, which is why a thorough review of your health history is part of every consultation at Premiere Center.
Can CoolSculpting tighten loose or sagging skin?
CoolSculpting is built to reduce fat volume, not to tighten skin. If you have a significant amount of loose or lax skin, particularly after major weight loss or pregnancy, a skin tightening treatment such as Ultherapy may better address that concern, either instead of or alongside CoolSculpting. We will help you set realistic expectations for what fat reduction alone can and cannot accomplish.
Do I need to change my diet or exercise routine after treatment?
No special diet or exercise plan is required for CoolSculpting to work, since the treated fat cells are eliminated regardless of your daily habits. That said, maintaining a stable weight through balanced eating and regular activity helps protect your results over time, since any remaining fat cells in the treated area can still expand if you gain a significant amount of weight. Many patients find that seeing early changes motivates them to stick with healthier routines.
How soon can I work out after my CoolSculpting session?
You can typically return to your usual workout routine immediately, since CoolSculpting involves no incisions, anesthesia or required recovery time. Some patients prefer to wait a day if the treated area feels tender or numb, but there is no medical reason to skip exercise after your appointment.
What is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, and how common is it?
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, or PAH, is a rare condition in which the treated fat visibly thickens rather than shrinking after CoolSculpting. It is not dangerous, but it can require an additional procedure to correct. We discuss this and other uncommon risks openly during your consultation so you can make a fully informed decision, and our providers are trained to recognize and manage it should it ever occur.
Does insurance cover CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, so it is not typically covered by health insurance. We are happy to walk you through the cost of your customized treatment plan during your consultation so there are no surprises, and to discuss any current specials that may apply to your treatment.
What financing or rewards options are available?
Premiere Center participates in the Brilliant Distinctions rewards program, which credits you points for every CoolSculpting cycle you complete. Those points convert into coupons you can apply toward future CoolSculpting sessions or other services such as Botox, Juvéderm or our SkinMedica skin care line, making it easier to build a long-term treatment plan around your goals and budget.
How do I know if my weight makes me a good candidate?
CoolSculpting works best for patients who are already close to their goal weight but have specific pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise. It is not designed as a weight loss solution, and significant obesity may make you a better candidate for a different approach altogether. During your consultation, we will evaluate your goals honestly and recommend an alternative if CoolSculpting is not the right fit for your situation.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Come ready to discuss your health history, any current medications and the specific areas that bother you most. It also helps to bring or think through your goals in concrete terms, such as fitting more comfortably into your clothes or feeling confident at the pool, so we can tailor your treatment plan around what actually matters to you rather than a generic outcome. If you have had CoolSculpting or other body-contouring treatments elsewhere, let us know, as that history can help us plan your next steps more precisely.
How long will my CoolSculpting results last?
Once a fat cell is frozen and eliminated, it does not come back, which is why CoolSculpting results are considered permanent in the treated area. That permanence depends on you maintaining a relatively stable weight afterward, since the fat cells that remain in the treated area, along with fat cells everywhere else in your body, can still grow larger if you gain significant weight. Patients who pair their results with consistent healthy habits tend to enjoy their slimmer contour for years.
What sets CoolSculpting’s track record apart?
CoolSculpting has been performed more than 17 million times worldwide and holds nine separate FDA clearances, more than any other nonsurgical fat reduction technology, with patients typically seeing a 20 to 25 percent reduction in treated fat per cycle. That level of clinical history is part of why we chose to offer it at Premiere Center, alongside the personal, whole-person approach you can read more about on our CoolSculpting page.
What happens if I gain weight down the road?
Many people, after seeing the results from their CoolSculpting procedure, take even better care of themselves. However, if you do gain weight, you may gain it evenly all over your body, not just in the treated areas.1
- Data on file. ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc.
Take the Next Step Toward Your CoolSculpting Results
Are you still weighing whether CoolSculpting is the right fit for you? The best way to find out is a one-on-one consultation, where we can look at your specific goals, walk you through realistic expectations and build a plan tailored to your body rather than a generic template. Our team at Premiere Center for Health & Wellness is here to answer any question that didn’t make this list and to help you feel confident in whatever you decide.
Ready to take the next step? Call us at 513-985-0950 or request an appointment online to schedule your CoolSculpting consultation today.