CoolSculpting Ann Arbor, MI | Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery

CoolSculpting by Zeltiq

CoolSculpting In Ann Arbor, MI

Age, weight fluctuations, and genetics can increase the likelihood of fatty tissue that will appear most often along the waist, flanks, upper arms, and thighs. Even with a proper diet, a routine exercise schedule and healthy lifestyle cannot aid to decrease some areas of bulging fat. Until recently, the only effective method plastic surgeons could offer for body contouring was liposuction. However, not everyone is ready or willing to commit to a semi-invasive surgical procedure. Fortunately, Dr. Pramit Malhotra and the Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery team has a nonsurgical solution for fat elimination called CoolSculpting® by Zeltiq. CoolSculpting has been used over 4 million times throughout the world.

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CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting is an innovative method for fat elimination using cold temperatures to freeze unwanted fatty tissue. The in-office treatment can provide excellent results without the cost, recovery time, or potential risks associated with traditional liposuction procedures. At Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, CoolSculpting takes less than an hour to perform per area, and can provide significant improvement for many areas of the body. CoolSculpting is not a method for weight loss, rather a way for patients who are close to their ideal weight to sculpt and contour areas of stubborn fat that are resistant to diet and exercise.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary. Click the photo for more before and afters.
  • Flanks (Love Handles)
  • Abdomen (Muffin Top)
  • Back rolls (Bra Roll Bulge)
  • Thighs (Inner& Outer)
  • Banana Rolls (Lower Buttocks)
  • Chin
*the FDA has approved Coolsculpting for certain areas; however, the areas that can be treated change yearly.

The Science Behind CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2010, as a safe way to eliminate unwanted fatty tissue using freezing temperatures. The process, known as Cryolipolysis, chills the target area, which in turn, damages fat cells. Cryolipolysis was initially discovered by a team of Harvard scientists, researching pain elimination techniques. Over time, they noticed a reduction in fat along the cheeks of children, using popsicles for pain reduction. The group of experts concluded that extreme cold temperatures will damage fat cells, which are then safely eliminated by the body, leaving healthy tissues unaffected.
Zeltiq, the maker of CoolSculpt, uses a variety of specially designed applicators to deliver cold temperatures to specific areas of excess fatty tissue. Unique applicators, such as the CoolMini (used to treat small areas like the double chin) and the CoolSmooth Pro (used for non-pinchable fat like the outer thighs) provide unmatched results. Patients can expect each CoolSculpting session to provide between 20-25% reduction in fat. Over the following two to four months, as the body eliminates the damaged fat cells, patients can begin to see the results of treatment.

*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary. Click the photo for more before and afters.

Schedule A Consultation

Our Michigan plastic surgery specialists understand that the difference is in the details when it comes to achieving your desired results. Visit Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Ballard at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, schedule your consultation today.

The Ideal CoolSculpting Candidate

CoolSculpting can provide excellent results for both men and women of all skin types and ethnic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will be someone in generally good health, close to their ideal body weight. The procedure is not intended as a weight loss solution, but is designed to help generally trim patients rid stubborn areas of isolated fat. Prior to scheduling a CoolSculpting treatment, patients will have a consultation appointment with a CoolSculpting specialist. At that time, the technician will review their medical history and perform a physical evaluation. The CoolSculpting process will be explained and before/after photographs shown to assist in visualizing potential results. The CoolSculpting technician will determine if CoolSculpting is the right treatment to achieve the patient’s aesthetic goals. If so, a personalized CoolSculpting treatment plan will be created.

Many patients seek our office for a CoolSculpting evaluation because our specialists can evaluate whether a surgical procedure or CoolSculpting is a better option to achieve your goals.

The CoolSculpting Procedure

Each CoolSculpting procedure is performed in one of Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery’s private, comfortable treatment rooms. A CoolSculpting procedure will take 45 to 60 minutes per applicator, so patients should plan on being at the office for a little more than an hour. Once the target area has been determined, the technician will put the CoolSculpting applicator in position. As the temperature of the applicator decreases, the tissues are cooled.

No anesthesia is necessary during a CoolSculpting treatment. Patients generally report a very cold sensation, but the cool temperatures will quickly numb the treatment area. Patients are comfortable enough during treatment to talk on their phone, watch a movie, or even take a nap. After the CoolSculpting procedure, it is common for the treatment area to feel slightly numb or tingle, as the tissue warms back up.

The CoolSculpting Applicators

If you have fat you can pinch, you have fat that can be reduced. During a treatment session, the device gently pulls love handles, belly fat, or other bulges into an applicator cup via vacuum pressure. The applicator then cools the targeted tissue sitting between its cooling panels, using sensitive and sophisticated technology to ensure even results. Given the wide variety of body types, shapes, and ultimate slim-down goals, Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery features multiple options for patients seeking to lose unwanted fat.

This is the most commonly used applicator, so it earns its name two times over: It’s the core of the CoolSculpting® line, and it’s used to treat aspects of the central core of the body where abdominal fat gathers.

Designed for large areas, CoolMax™ is good for overall abdominal fat reduction.

Love handles and muffin tops have a round shape, so an applicator designed to handle curves works best for treating them.

As the “mini” in the name implies, this CoolSculpting® applicator focuses on small areas. Patients can achieve results in as few as one or two treatments. Like its larger counterparts, it uses vacuum pressure to pull the targeted tissue into place for treatment. While it can be used in a variety of areas, it is particularly suited for the neck regions, where submental fat can result in a double chin.

When it comes to fat removal, the inner thigh is a long, straight stretch different from many other regions of the body. The CoolFit™ is shaped specifically to work with fat in this area and others like it.

Unlike the other CoolSculpting® options, this applicator glides over the areas to be treated. This makes it ideal for parts of the body that hold excess fat that you can’t easily pinch between two fingers. Typically, patients unhappy with the look of their outer thighs choose this option. 

After CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is a very well tolerated surgery. The vast majority of patients will not need additional medication or need to take ibuprofen for soreness. As the nerves wake from CoolSculpting, some patients may feel a stinging or aching sensation. Some patients have used a medication called Neurontin for one week if they have excessive soreness. Side-effects from treatment are generally mild. These include tenderness, redness, mild swelling, and bruising; most side-effects of treatment will resolve over the next one to two weeks.

Recovery And Results

There is no downtime necessary following a CoolSculpting treatment. Patients are free to return to their normal activities such as work, school, and even exercise. The results of CoolSculpting cannot be seen right away. As the body slowly metabolizes and eliminates the damaged fat cells, the benefits of the treatment will begin to appear. In two to three months, the full results of CoolSculpting will become noticeable. Patients can expect to see a 20-25% reduction in fatty tissue. After three months, if further fat elimination is desired, a second CoolSculpting treatment can be performed.

CoolSculpting FAQs

CoolSculpting is the first noninvasive fat elimination technique approved by the FDA to rid the body of unwanted fat cells using Cryolipolysis (or freezing temperatures). CoolSculpting can provide a 20-25% reduction in fatty tissue almost anywhere, including the chin, abdomen, upper arms, flanks, and thighs.

The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting will be close to their ideal body weight, yet frustrated with areas of isolated fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Patients should be in generally good health, understand the CoolSculpting process, and hold reasonable expectations for their final, fat elimination results.

CoolSculpting is performed in a comfortable treatment room at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery. Each treatment takes between half to one hour to perform. With no anesthesia and no incisions, there is no downtime required after treatment, meaning patients are back to their usual routine right away. For our patients’ convenience, Netflix is provided to pass the time during the procedure. Some patients elect to use their smartphones or laptops during the procedure.

The benefits of CoolSculpting are not immediate. As the body slowly metabolizes and eliminates the damaged fat cells, the results from CoolSculpting can be seen. Many patients begin to notice an initial change at one month. Optimal benefits from treatment can be seen in about three months. At this time, if more fat elimination is desired, a repeat CoolSculpting procedure can be scheduled.

CoolSculpting uses no incision or sutures, meaning no risk of infection or scarring. Side-effects are minimal but may include tenderness, temporary numbness, itching, or burning in the treatment area, however these diminish quickly. More serious complications are rare.

Each individual procedure is different, but treatments start at $700. Our staff will work with you to determine the most cost-effective options for you.

Coolsculpting Results In Michigan

To find out more about nonsurgical fat elimination and the CoolSculpting procedure, contact Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery. For patients’ convenience, consultations can be scheduledby calling (734) 436-2186. Dr. Pramit Malhotra is a double board certified plastic surgeon, named the Best of Ann Arbor for four consecutive years. Together with his trained staff of aesthetic professionals, Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery provides the most trusted CoolSculpting procedures in Michigan with excellent results. Fill out our online Contact Us form for additional details.