At McGuiness Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, we offer body contouring treatments like CoolSculpting in Plano, Prosper, and Flower Mound. This treatment helps you contour your body and target unwanted fat.
Body sculpting refers to the process of reshaping specific areas of the body to reduce fat that remains resistant to diet and exercise. At McGuiness, we offer non-invasive and nonsurgical options to slim and tone your physique and achieve your ideal silhouette.
Most people can benefit from this service, but some may be more suitable than others. To determine if you’re a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you need to understand the technology and how it works.
What is coolsculpting?
Coolsculpting is an FDA-approved, non-invasive body contouring treatment that permanently reduces up to 25% of fat cells in the treatment area. This treatment targets and freezes fat cells, destroying them before your body naturally flushes them through the lymphatic drainage system.
Coolsculpting treats:
- Jawline
- Upper arms
- Back and bra fat
- Abdomen and flank area
- Thighs
- Under the buttocks
The elite applicators vary in size to treat both small and large areas. For a streamlined process, you can target more than 1 area at a time during your sessions.
What Coolsculpting is Not
CoolSculpting, and other body contouring treatments, are not weight loss techniques. Therefore, they don’t replace traditional weight loss methods or a healthy lifestyle. Instead, they work in tandem with your diet and exercise routine or weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. Coolsculpting in Plano works in specific areas, so the results are going to show in different ways than a weight loss treatment does.
We want you to have the right expectations coming in, which is why we are here to answer any questions you have. That way, you can make an informed decision about your personalized plan.
Why is some weight stubborn?
A common misconception regarding weight loss involves thinking that burning fat means eliminating it. But your body maintains a certain number of fat cells, regardless of how much weight you gain or lose. Rather, weight loss shrinks the fat cells, and weight gain expands them.
Fat cells have 2 receptors: alpha-2 receptors: which store fat, and beta-2 receptors, which encourage fat burning. In areas where you struggle with unwanted, stubborn fat, you may have a higher number of alpha-2 receptors, making weight loss more challenging. You can thank your genes and hormones since they determine where and how your body stores and burns fat.
Lucky for you, body contouring technologies like coolsculpting actually eliminate the alpha-2 receptors, helping you reach your ideal weight by destroying the fat cells. However, the remaining fat cells can still contribute to future weight gain. Therefore, you should adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle to guarantee sustained results.
Am I a candidate for Coolsculpting?
Most men and women can benefit from Coolsculpting in Plano, especially if you fall under the following categories.
You Have Fat to Treat
Coolsculpting works effectively for people who have fat to treat. Generally, if you’re able to grab and pinch an inch of fat, that should be an adequate amount to work with.
You’re Near Your Target Weight
Remember, you can lose up to 25% of unwanted fat from a specific area of the body with coolsculpting. If you’re within 25 pounds of your ideal weight based on your height, that’s an indication that this treatment can be the right treatment for you.
While Coolsculpting isn’t for significant weight loss (20 to 30 pounds or more), McGuiness does offer weight loss services to help you in other ways.
You’re Not Interested in Liposuction
Liposuction refers to the surgical removal of fat in various parts of the body to help you reach your desired physique. Both treatments have their advantages and disadvantages, so ultimately, it comes down to your preferences. Unlike liposuction, Coolsculpting doesn’t require needles or anesthesia, making it a more appealing option for people who prefer avoiding surgery.
Liposuction works better for larger areas of the body and provides a more dramatic change in body contour. It’s a more aggressive treatment that usually only requires 1 session, as opposed to Coolsculpting in Plano, which may require more. However, the recovery period for liposuction can last about a week as your body heals. With Coolsculpting, you can immediately return to your normal activities.
You’re Tired of Looking at Stubborn Fat
Fat can be a tricky thing. You might be at a healthy weight but still have pockets or deposits of fat in certain areas of the body. No matter how much you work out or how many salads you eat, that fat isn’t going anywhere, fast. For many people with stubborn, unwanted fat, Coolsculpting is the ideal solution as it permanently removes that fat without the need for surgery.
You’re Generally Healthy
Although Coolsculpting isn’t surgical and typically has fewer risks and a short recovery time, it is still a medical procedure. Typically, then, we recommend it for everyone, even those who are in good health.
There is some risk of side effects after the procedure, such as nerve pain and bruising. The healthier you are, the less likely you will be to experience side effects. Let your Coolsculpting practitioner know about any chronic conditions you have or any other health-related concerns. Transition.
Who is not a good candidate for Coolsculpting?
With your safety as our top priority, we may determine that Coolsculpting in Plano is not right for you if you fall under the following categories:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Heightened sensitivity to cold (Raynaud’s, cryoglobulinemia, etc.)
- Skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, hives, etc.
- Active infections
- Implanted devices in or near the treatment area
- Extensive scarring in the treatment area
- Loose skin in the treatment area
Fortunately, at McGuiness, we have a variety of services and treatments that allow for customization. For issues like scarring, infections, and skin conditions, we recommend visiting our dermatology center for a skin check and personalized treatment plan.
For other concerns, we may recommend plastic surgery services like loose skin removal and liposuction. We can discuss all of your options during the consultation.
The Process for Coolsculpting at McGuinness
If you believe that you’re the right candidate for Coolsculpting, the next step starts with a comprehensive consultation.
Consultation
During your consultation, you will speak to a member of our team about your target areas of concern and we will discuss your medical history. Please ask any questions that come to mind regarding Coolsculpting–no question is too big or too small.
After the discussion, we will examine your target areas to make sure you are eligible for Coolsculpting. Before we begin treatments, we can discuss how many sessions you need. Typically people come in for 1 to 3 sessions to achieve their ideal contour.
Pre-Coolsculpting Instructions
Before your appointment for Coolsculpting in Plano, our team encourages you to follow these steps to set you up for success:
Stay hydrated and drink 6 to 8 glasses of hydrating water a day.
Refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours before your treatment.
Discontinue taking blood-thinning medications like ibuprofen 24 hours before treatment.
Avoid blood-thinning supplements like Vitamin E, fish oil, ginger, turmeric, and garlic 24 hours before your treatment.
For your appointment, please bring a list of your current medications and supplements so we can assess your risk of bruising.
Treatment
On the day of your appointment, we place the applicator on the treatment area. You may notice slight suction as it adheres to your body, followed by its signature cooling effect.
Many people want to know how it feels. For most patients, they experience:
- Pulling
- Tugging
- Mild pinching
- Intense cold
- Tingling
- Stinging
- Aching
- Cramping
These sensations subside as the area becomes numb during your 30- to 45-minute treatment.
Side Effects
You may notice the following temporary side effects from Coolsculpting:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Blanching
- Bruising
- Firmness
- Tingling
- Stinging
- Tenderness
- Cramping
- Aching
- Itching
- Skin sensitivity
You may also notice a sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after jawline contouring. Following our pre- and post-care instructions for Coolsculpting in Plano helps reduce the risk of side effects.
Post-Care Instructions
To maximize your results, follow these strategies:
- Continue to stay hydrated.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.
- Refrain from alcohol for a few days.
- Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a few days.
- Don’t expose yourself to extreme heat or cold for 7 days.
Results
You should notice results in as little as 1 to 3 months. Depending on the number of sessions, it could take 6 months or more to see final results. In the meantime, remember to continue focusing on making healthy choices and staying active to maintain your slimmer physique.
Additional Body Contouring Treatments
Coolsculpting works great to target unwanted fat in specific areas, but it’s not the only body contouring device we offer.
CoolTone
CoolTone is made by the same creators as Coolsculpt, but it does not use freezing technology to contour your body, nor does it target fat.
Instead, CoolTone helps you build muscle through active magnetic pulse technology to induce involuntary muscle contractions. Targeting muscles in the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs, this technology mimics an intense workout. In a series of 4 to 6 sessions, it strengthens and builds muscles, giving you a toned physique.
Emsculpt NEO
Emsculpt NEO simultaneously targets fat and builds muscle in the treatment area, resulting in a more slim and toned contour. It works by heating and destroying cells with thermal energy. Similar to Coolsculpting, your body disposes of the cells through the lymphatic system.
At the same time, high-intensity facial electric stimulation (HIFES) contracts your muscles, delivering a supercharged workout. These rapid contractions help you gain strength and muscle definition much faster than you could on your own.
After a series of 4 to 6 sessions, you should see improvements in your treatment areas. You can also talk to your provider about replacing or complementing Coolsculpting with Emsculpt NEO.
Find Your Ideal Contour
Almost anyone is a candidate for CoolSculpting in Plano, and if you’re not, our team can find a treatment that works for you. To learn more about your options, try our treatment planning tool, or book an appointment to talk to a provider in person.
