CoolSculpting®

Anyone who has tried and failed to get rid of love handles, back rolls and other pesky pockets of fat knows that dieting and exercising have their limits. Liposuction, the most popular cosmetic surgery for fat removal, can be an option for the right candidates, but not everyone wants or needs surgery. CoolSculpting® Elite is an innovative, nonsurgical lipo alternative that freezes away fat cells without downtime.

Known as one of the best female plastic surgeons in the area, Dr. Jennifer Harrington understands that everyone’s body is different and stores fat in different places. During your one-on-one consultation, she’ll carefully listen to your cosmetic goals and map out a plan customized to your needs.

Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery has helped men and women from Minneapolis-St. Paul area achieve their best look with surgical and nonsurgical procedures. People come to us from Wayzata, St. Cloud, Sartell, Minnetonka and across Minnesota for specialized treatments.

Most men or women who struggle with persistent bulges of fat can be good candidates for CoolSculpting Elite. Some of the most common reasons to consider CoolSculpting Elite include:

CoolSculpting Elite freezes and destroys fat cells using a process called cryolipolysis. During your treatment, a special applicator will cool specific target areas, directing freezing technology to the layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin without damaging the surrounding tissue. Once the fat cells are frozen, they will dissolve and gradually be eliminated by the body.

All CoolSculpting Elite procedures are performed by our certified CoolSculpting technicians. The treatment itself usually takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on your individual needs. Once the applicator is fit snugly onto the treatment area, you will start to feel some coolness on the skin, which will fade after a few minutes as the body begins to numb. Although your experience may vary, most people report very little discomfort during the CoolSculpting Elite procedure, and many patients bring a magazine or book to read during their treatment.

We are excited to offer our CoolSculpting patients BTL CELLUTONE as part of their treatment. CELLUTONE uses the power of therapeutic vibrations to increase lymphatic drainage, waste elimination and blood flow. It helps to break up fat cells and addresses the main factors causing cellulite formation and can lead to a considerable improvement in post-treatment skin appearance.

Depending on your cosmetic goals, Dr. Harrington may recommend additional procedures to complement your CoolSculpting results. Men may get CoolSculpting to treat “man boobs” or gynecomastia. Many women, on the other hand, include CoolSculpting as part of their mommy makeovers.

Using the “stacking technique” offers an advanced way to achieve more noticeable fat reduction in a single visit. Back-to-back applications to the same area during the same treatment session can be 2 to 3 times more effective, eliminating up to 60 percent of fat in the target area.

Advantages of the stacking technique include:

DualSculpting® also cuts down treatment time by 50 percent, making treatment much more convenient. We have two CoolSculpting units to treat both sides of the body at the same time (wherever applicable), such as the love handles, arms or outer thighs.

One of the major advantages to choosing CoolSculpting Elite rather than liposuction to remove unwanted fat is that it does not require downtime. Many patients develop some minor bruising or swelling around the treated area(s), but this should fade within the next few days. In some cases, people experience tingling or temporary numbness.

You may return to your normal routine immediately following your appointment. While everyone’s experience is different, most people see their CoolSculpting results develop gradually over the course of the following 6 months. Some people begin to notice their results as early as 3 weeks after their treatment. CoolSculpting Elite can be performed in a series of treatments over the course of several months.

CoolSculpting complications are uncommon, but it’s still important to discuss any concerns you have about the procedure with Dr. Harrington or an assistant. If you notice any sudden increases in swelling, sharp pain or persistent numbness, notify our office immediately.

Fat reduction with CoolSculpting can help freeze the fat away without downtime. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact us online or call our Plymouth office at 651-290-7600 to request your CoolSculpting Elite consultation and learn more about how to enhance your natural appearance. You can also visit our dedicated CoolSculpting site, Cool and Sculpt, to learn more.