Thigh fat is one of the most common body problems that women have. Also referred to as “sex-specific fat,” the fatty deposits around your thighs just come with being a woman, as estrogen tends to send more fat cells to the thighs and butt area. This is why cosmetic procedures such as CoolSculpting have become more popular, which is recommended for those who have light to moderate fat around the thighs. But for it to work, you do need to have enough fat.
So now you’re wondering, “How much fat must I have to fill CoolSculpting cup thighs?”. Generally, people with at least an inch of “pinchable” fat are a good candidate for the procedure, although there are other factors that will decide if the procedure is going to be safe and effective for you. You need to understand first how CoolSculpting works so you can decide if you should go and get it.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction procedure for the inner thighs and does not require needles, anesthesia, and incisions. It’s based on the science of cryolipolysis, which uses the body's cellular response to cold to break down fatty tissue. It works by cooling subcutaneous fat, which is the layer of fat just under your skin. The fat cells are destroyed by the cooling process and absorbed by the body. The surrounding muscles, nerves, and other tissues will remain unaffected by the process. The digested fat cells are then sent to your body’s lymphatic system to be filtered out as waste.
As an FDA-approved procedure, CoolSculpting is a safe treatment for outer and inner thigh fat that does not respond to diet and exercise. It’s non-invasive, so it’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to undergo surgery, such as liposuction, for fat reduction. There may be some discomfort and minor side effects that come with the procedure, but these are completely normal and will dissipate shortly.
Speaking of liposuction, it’s also important to know the difference between the two procedures to set the expectations, especially when it comes to results. CoolSculpting is suitable for removing small areas of fat, while liposuction is for removing large portions of fat.
Liposuction, which was the second most popular form of cosmetic surgery in the U.S. in 2018, is an invasive procedure that involves making incisions around the area where fat is going to be removed. A numbing solution will be applied to the area and then a thin tube, called a cannula, will be inserted through the incision. The tube will suck out the fat in that area. The plastic surgeon may opt to use local or general anesthesia for the procedure, depending on the amount of fat to be removed and the number of areas for treatment. Traditional liposuction can remove fat from several areas of the body, including the abdomen, waist, hips, butt, upper arm, thighs, face, neck, and chest.
Aside from removing a larger amount of fat in the body per session, liposuction can also move fat from one part of the body to another. Fat transfer is done usually for body contouring purposes.
In terms of recovery, it can take a week after liposuction before a patient can return to her daily activities. Doing plenty of light activities, such as walking around or light housework, is encouraged to speed up the recovery time. Long periods of sitting or lying down are discouraged.
On the other hand, CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure in which fat cells are frozen, causing them to crystallize. The CoolSculpting applicator is used in the treatment area for fat freezing, no incisions and anesthesia required. Eventually, the frozen cells will be destroyed and it will be filtered out as waste by the body’s lymphatic system. The CoolSculpting technology is used mostly in the inner and outer things, back, and double chin.
Recovery time is quick and the patient can return to daily activities soon after the procedure. The effects are not seen immediately and can take a few weeks for the results to be seen in full. In some people, it can even take longer. Because the treatment only targets a few millimeters of fat just below the skin, the results are not as dramatic as liposuction. A patient may need several treatments in order to get the results that she wants.
It’s important to find a medical provider who has ample experience of CoolSculpting. Right now, there are aestheticians, dermatologists, and surgeons who can perform the fat freezing treatment, but not all of them are certified for CoolSculpting. It has to be a certified professional who has the right machines to do the job.
Once you find a good doctor, schedule a consultation so you’ll know if you’re the right candidate for CoolSculpting. You will be asked about your medical history and your weight will be measured. This is important because you need to be within 10-30 pounds of your ideal weight in order to qualify. It should be emphasized that CoolSculpting as a fat reduction treatment is more suitable for those who have lesser body fat than an obese person or those who have already lost almost all the excess fat that they can - the procedure is not designed as an overall weight loss procedure or weight gain solution. It will help you reduce the five to ten pounds of fat from your troubled areas, but it won’t help you lose the fifty pounds that you’ve gained over the past few years.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!
Although CoolSculpting fat reduction is a perfectly safe and effective procedure, there are individuals that may not benefit much from it. This is why you should know what makes a patient a good candidate for the treatment.
Your doctor will place the applicator on the treatment area, in this case, your thighs. The applicator features a flat vacuum cup and large cooling plates, but there are facilities that use the flat applicator, which is helpful in those hard-to-reach areas.
You will feel a slight sucking sensation as the applicator adheres to your body, which will be followed by a soothing cooling effect. You may feel sensations of pulling, tugging, and mild pinching, as well as some tingling, stinging, and intense cold. All these are normal and totally tolerable, and definitely not a cause for alarm. As the treatment area becomes numb, these sensations will eventually subside.
After the procedure, you may experience the typical side effects - redness, bruising, swelling, itching, as well as some tenderness and cramping. Again, these are all normal and should disappear after a short while.
The duration of the CoolSculpting session will depend on the areas of your body being worked on, but usually, it takes only 35 minutes per area. So if you’re having the treatment on your thighs, that’s 35 minutes each, which totals to a little more than an hour. Naturally, if you’re having multiple areas done for treatment, it will take longer than that.
Read more: Does CoolSculpting Work For Inner Thighs?
It can take two to four months for a visible fat reduction from your CoolSculpting treatment. During this time, there should be no long-term discomfort as you wait for the results to become totally visible. You may have side effects right after treatment, but this is nothing to worry about.
As part of your aftercare, keep your body moving after the procedure in order to reduce pain and inflammation. Wear yoga pants or other comfortable clothing. If you feel more comfortable with compressed clothing, opt for Spanx or something similar to it. If you experience severe side effects (which are rare), call your doctor right away.
Anyone can learn how to use the CoolSculpting tools to perform on patients, but you should only seek treatment from those who are actually certified to do the procedure. CoolSculpting specialists must receive proper training in order to deliver safe treatment and make sure that the patient gets the results that she seeks. A certified CoolSculpting specialist should know how to handle the following:
Do you want to lose that stubborn fat that refuses to leave your inner and outer thigh? At NJ Center for CoolSculpting, firm and sleek thighs free of cellulite are definitely possible. Our staff consists of board-certified doctors, certified aestheticians, and licenses physician assistants who are collectively regarded as national leaders in body contouring. Call NJ Center for CoolSculpting now for the best body sculpting treatments and work towards getting the body you’ve always dreamed of.
Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!