When to Schedule Your CoolSculpting Appointment Before Your Wedding, According to Dr. Chris Adigun

In preparation for their weddings, brides and grooms often have a lengthy list of tasks to do (before saying “I do”), including selecting a venue, sending out invites, and sampling catering menus. Between trying on formalwear and shopping for wedding bands, scheduling aesthetic treatments like CoolSculpting^® at the right time is essential in order to see results by your wedding day. (In other words, consult with your doctor before walking down the aisle.)

[Editor’s note: The CoolSculpting treatment is a non-invasive fat freezing treatment that effectively reduces fat in certain self-proclaimed “problem spots” in the submental and submandibular areas, thigh, abdomen, flank, and upper arm, along with bra fat, back fat, and underneath the buttocks (you know, those bulges that just won’t go away, regardless of how much you sweat it out on the treadmill). While it isn’t a weight loss solution, fat-freezing can reduce pouches of fat. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects, so talk to a licensed provider to see if it’s right for you.]

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat freezing treatment that reduces stubborn fat in specific areas on the body. It targets pouches of fat that may be resistant to diet and exercise. Chris G. Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill℠ in North Carolina, refers to these pockets of fat as “squishy, pinchable, squeezable fat” that can be treated on both women and men. “If you can squeeze it, you can freeze it,” she says, noting there’s not necessarily an age limit to CoolSculpting. “I’ve treated women in their nineties.”

For newly-engaged couples who are interested in CoolSculpting, Dr. Adigun explains what body parts can be treated, how long each treatment takes, and when the best time to book an appointment is before the ceremony. Of course, men and women don’t have to get hitched to get CoolSculpting! Anyone can follow this timeline to reduce fat cells in treated areas, whether they’re in a wedding party, invited as a guest, or not attending any receptions at all.

CoolSculpting Scheduling Tip #1: Know that you can treat a number of body parts with fat freezing.

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for nine different areas: a double chin (under the chin), under the jawline, on the upper arms, and for back fat, bra fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as the banana roll), as well as the thighs, abdomen, and flank (a.k.a. muffin top). “[These are] common areas where humans deposit fat,” says Dr. Adigun, who further explains they are popular areas for treatment.

For female patients, one typical target area is what she calls “bra fat,” the area along the bra strap. “It can make [the way] dresses [fit] look so much better,” she says. With male patients, Dr. Adigun explains that the submental area — the little pocket of fat right under the chin — is often top of mind. “Of course, the abdomen and love handles are [also] very popular for men,” she adds.

CoolSculpting Scheduling Tip #2: Account for how long each treatment takes.

“[Treatment time] varies from person to person,” says Dr. Adigun. A CoolSculpting treatment, or “cycle,” can take as little as 35 minutes, but this timespan depends on the area of the body (and how many body areas) a patient is targeting; in some cases, it can take up to two hours.

If multiple areas are being treated, a visit to the provider’s office can be longer, unless an additional machine is available. “If your dermatologist has two CoolSculpting machines, then you can actually treat more than one area at the same time,” says Dr. Adigun. 

There’s little to no downtime, so brides and grooms can show up, walk out the door, and usually go straight to the gym or dress shopping. You can typically return to your normal activities, adds Dr. Adigun, who recommends bringing socks to the appointment (some patients get cold)! 

CoolSculpting Scheduling Tip #3: Plan backwards to book your first CoolSculpting appointment.

“I usually tell them 12 months [before the wedding],” says Dr. Adigun, who typically performs up to six cycles, completed six or more months before the event. That said, sometimes patients require fewer cycles. “Depending on the size of the area, I may wait a full three months before deciding if they even need a second treatment,” she says. “Six months [can be a good] amount of time for us to get all of your target areas treated, as well as [so you can have a] full treatment response.” Work with your provider on creating a treatment plan for specifically for your needs.

CoolSculpting Scheduling Tip #4: Don’t be frustrated when you realize the results are not immediate.

At most, patients can see up to a 20 to 25 percent fat reduction in the treated area after a single treatment. Changes may start to be seen one month post-treatment, with final results visible in three or four months. Learn more about the process of being treated with CoolSculpting here.

CoolSculpting Scheduling Tip #5: Know that the treated fat will never come back. 

According to Dr. Adigun, the number one query from CoolSculpting patients is: “Will the [treated] fat come back?” Technically, the answer is no. “If you were to gain weight again, it [may] happen evenly throughout your body, not just in those treatment areas,” she explains. “Even though [treated] fat cells are permanently eliminated by CoolSculpting, the fat cells that remain can grow larger again with weight gain.” For best results, it’s encouraged that you stay as close to your target weight as possible.

CoolSculpting^® is an Allergan^®-owned non-invasive fat reduction treatment.

CoolSculpting^® Treatment Important Information 

Uses

The CoolSculpting^® procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental (under the chin) and submandibular (under the jawline) areas, thigh, abdomen and flank (love handles), along with bra fat, back fat, underneath the buttocks (also known as banana roll), and upper arm. It is also FDA-cleared to affect the appearance of lax tissue with submental area treatments. The CoolSculpting procedure is not a treatment for weight loss.

Important Safety Information 

The CoolSculpting procedure is not for everyone. You should not have the CoolSculpting procedure if you suffer from cryoglobulinemia, cold agglutinin disease, or paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions including recent surgery, pre-existing hernia, and any known sensitivities or allergies.

During the procedure you may experience sensations of pulling, tugging, mild pinching, intense cold, tingling, stinging, aching, and cramping at the treatment site. These sensations subside as the area becomes numb. Following the procedure, typical side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, and sensation of fullness in the back of the throat after submental or submandibular area treatment. 

Rare side effects may also occur. CoolSculpting may cause a visible enlargement in the treated area which may develop two to five months after treatment and requires surgical intervention for correction.

Ask your doctor if CoolSculpting is right for you. To learn more about what to expect, visit the CoolSculpting website and comprehensive Important Safety Information.