What Are the Side Effects of CoolSculpting®?
If you have been researching CoolSculpting®, you have probably discovered that the procedure offers a lot of potential benefits without much in the way of downsides. That’s with good reason. When performed by a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon such as Gregory T. Mesna, the CoolSculpting® procedure is a safe, highly effective, and completely non-invasive method of eliminating stubborn deposits of fat from the flanks (the not so beloved “love handles), the abdomen, and the thighs.
Part of the reason it is so safe and effective is that Dr. Mesna carefully evaluates patients to ensure that they are good candidates for the procedure before allowing them to proceed with CoolSculpting®. This helps to minimize incidents of CoolSculpting® side effects at our Minneapolis plastic surgery practice while allowing the majority of patients to achieve exceptional results.
Are you a good candidate for CoolSculpting®? To find out, schedule your confidential, one-on-one consultation with plastic surgeon Gregory T. Mesna today.
What Is CoolSculpting®?
CoolSculpting® is a procedure during which isolated deposits of fat are targeted and removed from the flanks, abdomen, or thighs. Bulges of fat are drawn up between two cooling panels. These panels freeze the fat cells, which are then absorbed and metabolized by the body. The result, on average, is a 20 to 25 percent decrease in fat in the treated area. Treatment can be safely repeated until the desired results are achieved.
Although CoolSculpting® is a non-invasive procedure, it still produces alterations in your body’s anatomical make-up. As such, it is a serious procedure that carries with it certain risks. You should be aware of these risks before committing to the procedure. Dr. Mesna will discuss all potential risks with you during your initial consultation.
What Are the Side Effects of CoolSculpting®?
Serious complications of CoolSculpting® are extremely rare, especially when candidates are carefully screened. If you have cryoglobulinemia, a condition in which the blood contains large amounts of proteins that do not dissolve at cold temperatures, you cannot undergo CoolSculpting®. If you suffer from the rare condition paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH), a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies that destroy red blood cells when you go from a cold temperature to a warm temperature, the CoolSculpting® procedure can be extremely dangerous to your health.
Otherwise, the side effects associated with CoolSculpting® are generally mild and temporary. They include:
- Numbness at the treatment sites
- Discoloration, including redness and bruising
- Swelling
- Tingling or stinging
- Discomfort or mild to moderate pain
- Firmness of the skin
Most of these side effects subside within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure. Any discomfort or pain can usually be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. You should be able to return to your normal routine immediately after your procedure.
Learn More about CoolSculpting® Side Effects
To learn more about the possible side effects of CoolSculpting®, or to find out whether you are a good candidate for this extraordinary procedure, please contact Mesna Plastic Surgery today. We would be pleased to answer any questions you might have.
