Using CoolSculpting To Get Rid of The Hump Fat On The Back Of Your Neck

Back fat, which is also referred to as hump fat or buffalo hump, is a common problem that can affect anyone, male or female. It can result from our back muscles losing strength and structure as we age This causes saggy pockets of skin forming on our upper and lower back. Other factors come into play as well, such as lifestyle. Individuals with sedentary lifestyles, who sit at a desk all day or perform limited physical activities, are the ones who are at serious risk. Lack of physical activity slows your body’s ability to burn calories, thus resulting to back fat. Fortunately, there are cosmetic procedures such as CoolSculpting that can remove unsightly buffalo hump.

So can CoolSculpting get rid of that buffalo hump on the back of your neck? The CoolSculpting procedure, a unique process also known as Cryolipolysis, is designed to remove subcutaneous back fat by medically freezing fat cells so they crystallize, shrink, break down, and eventually die. The body then naturally dispels these destroyed cells through standard metabolic processes. In order to understand better how the treatment can help get rid of back fat, you must know what causes the hump in the first place, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and how CoolSculpting works in removing the excess fat.

What Causes Hump Fat or Buffalo Hump

Buffalo hump is the layman’s term for describing the buildup of stubborn fat in the area between the shoulders near the back of the neck. It's also known by its medical name, “Dorsocervical fat pad.” Usually, a buffalo hump doesn’t present any life-threatening symptoms, but it can still cause distress, interrupt the movements in your neck, and disrupt your sleep.

The accumulation of fat deposits behind the shoulders can be attributed to a preexisting condition called Cushing’s syndrome or hypercortisolism. This happens when your body produces too much cortisol, an essential steroid hormone found in the adrenal glands that regulate your normal bodily functions, such as metabolism and immune response. Cortisol is also crucial in processing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the body.

Cortisol fuels triglycerides, which is a type of fat lipid found in the blood. The triglycerides are then transported and stored in the visceral fat cells. When someone is exposed to stress, his cortisol levels shoot up, which can trigger coping mechanisms such as stress eating. This results in the release of triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar, and weight gain.

Buffalo humps may happen as a side effect of prescription medicines, such as those used to treat obesity, AIDS, or lipodystrophy. Long-term use of steroids like cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone may also cause this hump to form. Osteoporosis is also another cause, which is often characterized by a lack of hormones and low calcium intake. The condition makes your bones thin and brittle, which may lead to serious deformities and increase the risks of having a bone fracture in the spine, hip, and wrists.

The fat buildup of buffalo humps can worsen over time and develop fractures in the vertebrae, which can cause your spine to bend forward. It can result in a condition called kyphoscoliosis, which is a combined spinal disease of scoliosis (abnormal curving on the coronal plane) and kyphosis (spine twisting forward or backward on the sagittal plane). Most cases of kyphoscoliosis may be treated with prescription medication for pain management, back or neck brace, physical therapy, and surgery.

How is Buffalo Hump Diagnosed and Treated

Buffalo humps can be treated naturally by making considerable lifestyle changes. Regular exercises can help you lose weight and eventually reduce the subcutaneous fat that you accumulated due to obesity. Following a healthy and nutrient-filled diet can strengthen bones, which will prevent the onset of osteoporosis and avoid muscle pains and joint aches. If the humps are formed due to prescription drugs or other medical causes, you should visit your doctor so he can come up with the right course of medical treatment.

You may be asked to go through a series of physical exams to find out exactly what’s causing the buffalo hump. These exams include bone density test (to check for risks for osteoporosis), blood test (for determining current hormone and cortisol levels in the body), Computerized tomography (CT) scan (to help check whether there’s a formation of fat cells in the area in the neck and shoulders) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams (to help detect possible spinal injuries, joint damages, or neck pains.

What Makes CoolSculpting Great for Removing Excess Back Fat

CoolSculpting is one of the most effective treatments for fat reduction, as this procedure solves the excess fat problem without any side effects. Here are the reasons why CoolSculpting has become the preferred treatment for the removal of back fat and other areas with excess fat deposit.

• It’s non-invasive - unlike traditional liposuction, CoolSculpting spares you the need for dealing with general or local anesthesia and getting needle incisions. You don’t have to worry about scarring and bleeding problems that come with plastic surgery since no cuts were made under the skin. It also carries minimal risks when it comes to bruising, swelling, and tenderness compared to other treatment options. This is perfect for those who don't want to go through buffalo hump liposuction surgery, liposuction procedure, laser liposuction, tumescent liposuction
• It’s performed by professionals - the American Med Spa Association considers CoolSculpting as a medical treatment and thus the procedure should only be performed by trained medical professionals. As a patient, you have to go through exams and screenings before being approved for the treatment. Also, a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best one to handle the technology to conduct the fat removal safely.
• It utilizes advanced technology — the treatment uses a handheld device that has applicators resembling the nozzles of a vacuum. These applicators deliver cooling and suck fat is an advanced kind of technology. Depending on the size of the area for treatment, several applicators may be needed to achieve the desired results.

Learn more: Will CoolSculpting on My Neck Create Saggy Skin?

What Happens During a CoolSculpting Back Fat Treatment

CoolSculpting uses a patented technology known as Cryolipolysis. which has been FDA-approved since 2012. It’s been considered an effective method for diminishing localized fat deposits that can’t be eliminated by regular diet and exercise. Cryolipolysis uses a cooling technique that freezes the fat cells under the skin (which are more vulnerable to colder temperatures) around target areas like the chin, arms, abdomen, and thighs. After the fats get frozen and destroyed, the treated fat cells will naturally be removed by the body's lymphatic system. This leaves the treated area looking flatter and more defined.

During the treatment, your doctor will apply a gel pad and CoolSculpting applicator that will serve as the cooling stimulant to the targeted fat. In the case of buffalo hump removal, this will be applied in the treatment area between the neck and shoulders. A machine or vacuum device will then be moved around the skin to suck out the unwanted fat. You may experience minor levels of pain, tingling, or stinging. Your doctor may also massage the treated body area afterward to assist with the breakdown of extra fat. A CoolSculpting session may take an hour to finish. There's little to no downtime, so you can return almost immediately to your usual activities.

Read more: Will CoolSculpting Affect Thyroid Area at All If I Do It on My Neck?

What to Expect After CoolSculpting Back Fat Treatment

After receiving the CoolSculpting treatment, you can expect to see full results within 4 to 6 months. A successful cryolipolysis fat reduction treatment can permanently get rid of up to 20% of fat. While CoolSculpting can effectively freeze and remove the fat lipids permanently, it doesn't stop new lipids from generating in the skin after some time. 

To maintain optimal results of your treatment and prevent the reappearance of fatty tissue, you may opt for multiple sessions of the treatment, with your doctor's approval. Your doctor will also advise you to follow certain aftercare tips to retain the results of the procedure, such as a healthy diet, active lifestyle, and maintenance sessions for weight maintenance or weight loss.

Get Treated at the NJ Center of CoolSculpting

Are you looking for a facility you can trust for your treating your buffalo hump or Dowager's hump? NJ Center of CoolSculpting provides clients with the safest, most effective customized aesthetic procedures, utilizing the latest advances in non-invasive cosmetic treatments and technologies. Your body contouring treatment is done within a peaceful, luxurious environment and you can choose from a wide array of services and products to enhance the appearance of your skin. 

We tend to different parts of the body, such as the inner thigh, outer thigh, jawline, and double chin. Call now and speak with a representative or cosmetic surgeon to answer questions, or to assist you in scheduling an appointment with one of the clinic’s talented specialists.

Learn more: CoolSculpting For Turkey Neck