Obesity is a big problem. More than 42% of America’s adults are obese, which is defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher, and the trend has been on the uptick for more than a decade.
Being obese, or even just overweight, puts you at risk for all sorts of dangerous health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and early death. You know the dangers and have taken steps to get back in shape and take control of your health, only to be stymied by stubborn pockets of fat that seem to have superpowers that block all your efforts.
You’re not alone. Most people on a weight-loss journey usually end up facing persistent, fat pockets in the form of love handles, saddlebags, double chins, or muffin tops. These diet-resistant areas simply don’t respond to your plan, and you’re at your wit's end trying to figure out a solution.
Before you turn to dangerous fads and risky surgery, come see us at Holladay Dermatology & Aesthetics. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Robert Topham and Dr. Barry Topham, can help you lose those obstinate fat pockets with safe, effective, noninvasive CoolSculpting®.
CoolSculpting is a form of cryolipolysis, which is a technology that uses freezing temperatures to destroy fat cells. But don’t worry about your surrounding skin and tissues. CoolSculpting targets just your fat cells; in fact, your other cells aren’t affected at all.
Dr. Robert Topham uses the CoolSculpting device to treat your fatty areas by gently suctioning your skin to isolate the area. You’ll feel a cool sensation for a couple of minutes and then nothing. The cooling effect numbs the area during the rest of the treatment session, which lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Bring your laptop or a good book and relax.
What you can’t see going on under your skin is the death of some of your fat cells. Once dead, they can’t be resurrected, but they’re not gone ... yet.
After your fat cells have been destroyed, they gradually begin to leave your body. Over the next few weeks and months, your lymphatic system goes to work by flushing those dead cells out of your body, never to bother you again. So be patient. This is nature at work, and it takes time.
By week eight, you should notice a significant change in the contour of your body. Your shape is smoother and leaner, and your clothes fit better. But it’s not over yet. CoolSculpting results continue to work as more fat cells leave your body. By the sixth month you’ll be amazed at the difference.
Whether you measure your body mass with a caliper, ultrasound, or an old-fashioned scale, you can expect about 20% less fat in your treated area when results are complete — and that’s more than enough to deflate your fat pockets.
While it’s true that CoolSculpting eliminates the destroyed fat cells forever, you still have some fat cells remaining in your body. If you continue with a healthy diet and exercise routine, those cells will stay small. But if you abandon common sense and eat fatty foods and empty calories and skip the gym, those fat cells will do what they’ve always done under those circumstances — they’ll plump right up and show up as a muffin top or love handles again.
CoolSculpting isn’t meant to replace a healthy lifestyle, but it can help you reach your weight-loss goal if you’re close, say within about 20-30 pounds, depending on your body size. And it can give you the confidence and motivation to make healthier choices that will maintain your new look.
If you’re curious about what CoolSculpting can do for you, give us a call at our state-of-the-art office in Holladay, Utah.
