I Tried the Fat-Freezing Treatment Real Housewives Are Obsessed With & Here's What Happened

CoolSculpting, a body contouring procedure that freezes your fat cells to death, has found fans in Dorinda Medley and Kelly Dodd — so I just had to see if it lives up to the hype.

by Talia Ergas

“CoolSculpting is specifically designed for people who have unwanted fat pockets in targeted areas”

As the editor of Bravo's Lookbook, I'm always keeping a close eye on all the cosmetic treatments the Real Housewives are into. My personal process is usually more voyeuristic and less experimental (read: I get a bit squeemish around needles ... especially when they're aimed at my face). Every once in a while, though, I hear about a treatment that sounds so magical and painless, I just have to see if it lives up to the hype.

Take, for instance, CoolSculpting. The body contouring treatment first came across my radar when The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Kelly Dodd raved about it on Instagram. Kelly claimed she took a nap during the fat-reduction process and called it "so easy." Naturally, I was intrigued, but also a bit skeptical. (Kelly, after all, is not one to shy away from gruesome treatments I'll never try like microneedling.)

But then, a colleague of mine was catching up with Dorinda Medley, and The Real Housewives of New York City pal divulged that she too had tried CoolSculpting — and loved it. “CoolSculpting is amazing,” Dorinda told The Lookbook. “It is unbelievable … It’s for all those bits and bobs that no matter how much you work out, especially at my age, you can’t get rid of. It just takes off those little bits. It’s one hour, and then over the next few weeks you pee [the fat cells] out." 

Ok, so let’s recap: A treatment that eliminates fat cells with zero surgery and zero needles, that is so painless and “easy” you can do it while napping, and then you just pee out the cells?! That just sounded way too good to be true, so I had to speak with a CoolSculpting pro — and, of course, try the treatment for myself. Read on for the answers to all your burning CoolSculpting questions, and find out if it’s really as incredible as Kelly and Dorinda claim.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved body contouring technology that removes stubborn pockets of fat via freezing and killing fat cells. Along with an overall healthy lifestyle, it helps to eliminate bulges at the hips, belly, arms, thighs, and elsewhere. There is no surgery, not a single needle, and no downtime.

Can anyone get CoolSculpted?

Unfortunately, CoolSculpting is not for everyone. “The CoolSculpting fat-reduction procedure is specifically designed for [people] who have unwanted fat pockets in targeted areas,” explains Laura Dyer, MSHHS, PA-C, who has more experience performing CoolSculpting treatments than any other medical professional in the world. “Unlike weight-loss surgery (e.g., gastric bypass), the CoolSculpting procedure is not a weight-loss solution for people who are obese.” (In fact, CoolSculpting only kills 20-25 percent of fat cells in the area.) So who makes a good candidate? “People who have noticeable bulges in certain areas they’d like to get rid of an want a non-surgical alternative to liposuction,” explains Dyer, adding, “as with any medical procedure, ask you physician if the CoolSculpting procedure is right for you.”

What actually happens during the procedure?

For my procedure, I chose to target what I (lovingly) refer to as my stomach "pooch." Here's what happened: First, I was asked to strip down to my underwear and put on a robe (the spa kind, not the hospital kind). Then, Dyer draped a gooey gel pad over my stomach, which, she informed me, was to protect my skin. Next, it was time to hook up the machine. (Have you ever tried turning on a vacuum and sticking the hose onto your skin? That's what this machine feels like as it grabs your fat pocket and sucks it in.) We did this on the right side of my stomach for half an hour, and then took it all apart and did it again on my left side for half an hour. (I brought my laptop and got some work done during the process. I'm impressed that Kelly was able to nap with the giant suction hooked up to her stomach.) A few weeks later I came back to do the whole thing all over again (two appointments per area is standard) and that was it! Now we wait ...

They used lots of pillows to keep me as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

Does it hurt?

It's definitely not painless, but the pain comes and goes pretty quickly (it's only the first 5 minutes) and it's never unmanageable. A few things to remember on that note: everyone's pain tolerance is different, so different people may feel more or less uncomfortable during the procedure. Also, keep in mind that I'm not a cosmetic surgery pro, so I am especially squeemish and uncomfortable with this type of thing. If you can handle botox, this should be a breeze. 
During the first five minutes, my pain level went from barely-noticable to annoying-but-manageable. Then, you start to go numb and the feeling subsides. Imagine pressing a giant ice pack to your stomach: at first it's cold, then it starts to hurt, then you go numb. That's exactly what it feels like. 

What happens after?

After my procedure was over, they released the machine and my stomach bulge spilled out, looking and feeling like what can only be described as numb butter. The technician massaged the area to break up the dead fat inside. That was the most uncomfortable part: this giant area of your body is being massaged and you can't feel a thing. The treated area stays numb for a few days to a few weeks, so showering and wearing tight jeans felt super weird for a while. Some people also experience temporary bloating and bruising afterwards, but I thankfully didn't. Then, over the span of the next three to four months, the dead fat cells leave your body at a rate of "four french fries-worth per day," according to my technician. 

How quickly do you see results?

Results are seen in approximately three months, and since I'm only one month past my procedure, I can't quite share my final verdict on that. I can, however, say that I truly am starting to see my stomach pooch flatten out, even though I've made no other changes to my daily routine. (Check back for another update once I hit the three-month mark!)

When the fat leaves your body, where does it go?

"Fat cells that are frozen gradually die off and leave the body through the body’s natural elimination process," explains Dyer. (Or, as Dorinda so eloquently put it: "You pee it out!")

Are the results permanent?

Continues Dyer, "Since the stem cell capability of your fat cells shuts off at the completion of puberty, the number of fat cells a person has typically stays the same throughout their adult life. As [a person] gains or loses weight, these fat cells either get bigger or smaller, but the number doesn’t change. However, with CoolSculpting, since we are actually causing cell death to 20-25 percent of the fat cells per treatment, once these dead fat cells are dead and eliminated, they are gone for good. That’s why the results are long-term. Untreated areas will have no change in fat cell distribution."

But what if, instead of maintaing your normal lifestyle, you start eating unhealthy and stop exercising after your treatment? "Many people, after seeing the results from their CoolSculpting procedure, feel even more motivated to stay close to their ideal weight," shares Dyer. "However, if you do gain weight, you may gain it evenly all over your body, not just in the treated areas. But once you rally back to your starting weight, you can typically appreciate the results again." Whew!

How much does it cost?

Says Dyer, "The price for CoolSculpting procedures varies depending on your areas of concern, the number of treatments needed, and your ultimate goals. Most patients opt to receive treatments in multiple body areas in order to achieve their goals. The cost typically ranges between $2,000-$4,000 for their personalized treatment plan depending on the number of areas treated." So, it's not cheap, but neither is liposuction. And if this option forgoes the cutting you open part, count me in!

The verdict ...

Overall, CoolSculpting is a nearly-painless quick fix for problem areas that diet and exercise alone can't tone. After trying it for myself, I completely agree with Kelly Dodd saying the process is "so easy." After just one month, I'm already starting to see my "pooch" shrinking, and I can't wait to see the final results. Check back in two months for an update!

6 Questions You Should Ask Before Trying Your First Fat Freezing Treatment

By Megan McIntyre

“We do have the power to change the shape of your body, but it must be done thoughtfully.”

Exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep — these are all proven ways to keep yourself at a healthy weight. But just because your weight is in check doesn’t mean that your fat is. We’re not trying to be rude. For some people, regardless of the numbers on the scale, there are (and always will be) pockets of fat that no amount of pilates and paleo can reduce.

That’s because, says Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C at Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology in NYC, everyone develops a finite number of fat cells during adolescence. Those fat cells don’t leave your body — when you gain or lose weight, she explains, it’s actually just those cells expanding and contracting. So when you work out and eat right, you are ensuring those cells are contracted and that your body stays toned. When you binge on ice cream and conveniently forget where the gym is, they expand and manifest as those annoying jiggly bits.

For many of us, though, biology and our genetics weren’t feeling friendly. As a result, we have areas — usually the hips, tummy, flanks, upper arms, double chin, and underneath the booty — that we just cannot seem to slim down. If even at your sveltest you still carried a bit of a stomach pooch, chances are its presence had nothing to do with what type of salad you ate and how many crunches you did.

However, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve hit the aesthetic jackpot in the last decade or so, with the advancement of non-surgical machines that can sculpt and eliminate even the most stubborn flab. One of the standouts in this contouring category is CoolSculpting®. This uses cryolipolysis, a method that allows you to freeze away your fat. Though it might sound too good to be true, we’re here to tell you that not only is it a reality, this writer has personally tried it — and can attest to its efficacy.

To learn if this type of body contouring may be right for you, we’ve compiled a primer filled with everything you need to know, as well as what to expect when you freeze your fat. From the process to the price, keep reading for the full answers to all the FAQ.

How does it work?

Body contouring via fat freezing is just what it sounds like: A machine quite literally freezes the fat, killing off the cells. This reduction in cells leads to a decrease in fat in the treated areas. It ensures it crystallizes only the fat cells (not the muscles and water-based ones around it). The dead fat cells are gradually processed by the body’s macrophages (a.k.a. garbage collectors) and subsequently eliminated as waste.

What do I need to do before my treatment?

According to Dyer, zero things. “Whatever you did pre-treatment — exercise, eating, etc. — is fine. There are no pre-treatment limitations.” That said, if you are having your stomach contoured, it might be best to skip a big meal — the suction involved in the process might be a teensy bit more uncomfortable if your belly is full.

What happens during my treatment?

CoolSculpting is a completely non-invasive treatment. We’ve had facials more intense and time-consuming than this. There are three parts to getting the treatment: prep, the actual suction/freezing, and massage.

To start, the area will have a gel pad applied to create a barrier and “maximize suction,” says Dyer. “We get better suction wherever there is moisture.” The machine is fitted with a handpiece, which comes in multiple shapes and sizes, depending on what you are treating. That attaches via the aforementioned suction. It’s initially a bit of an odd sensation, but that goes away fairly quickly.

Once adhered, the panels within the handpiece drop to that magical fat-freezing temperature. “It will feel cold for around eight to 10 minutes, but then it goes numb and you won’t feel much,” says Dyer. The total time of the session depends on the area being done. If you are working on your outer thigh, it will take about 75 minutes, as the panel is a singular flat one, whereas the abdomen takes only 35 minutes due to the fact that the handpiece surrounds it on three different sides.

Once the handpiece is removed, your technician will manually massage the area to break up the crystallized fat and speed up cell death. This can also be mildly uncomfortable but isn’t done for very long. Post-treatment, you can go about your day as usual, no special instructions or limitations.

What about afterwards?

Your skin will look pink for a few hours immediately after treatment, and you can expect it to feel numb for a few days afterwards. You will gradually regain feeling and your skin may feel itchy.

Dyer likens it to the sensation you get after being out in the cold weather for an extended period of time.Some patients may see some mild bruising, but that also will fade after a bit.

As for results, the numbers are pretty incredible. “Patients can expect to lose up to 20-25 percent of fat [in the treated area],” says W. Grant Stevens, M.D. F.A.C.S., the president of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and founder of Marina Plastic Surgery in California. That lost fat is permanently reduced, meaning the treated cells won’t come back — the treated cells are gone for good. He does note that most patients will need to undergo multiple treatments, spaced two months apart.

How much does it cost?

One of the best things about body contouring is how targeted it is — you can hone in on a specific area and treat it without affecting other parts. But, it’s this highly specialized nature that makes it difficult to estimate a cost without seeing a doctor. Someone who is having their double chin sculpted is going to have a different cost than someone who wants to treat their inner thighs. The amount of treatments will also vary, depending on the amount of fat. Additionally, who is performing the treatment (say, a plastic surgeon versus a body contouring technician) and where you’re receiving it are all factors that affect pricing. As a general estimate, most doctors will quote a price between $2,000 and $4,000 total for a personalized treatment plan, which includes multiple treatments on the area in question.

How do I know if it’s right for me?

Like any professional treatment, you’ll want to first meet your provider for a consultation to see if you are a good candidate for body contouring. In general, you need to have pinchable fat in the area you want treated. This could include the stomach, love handles, outer and inner thighs, bra rolls, upper arms, banana roll (a.k.a. the area underneath your booty), and double chin.

Dyer stresses that one of the most important things to realize before you consider body contouring in general is that it is not a weight-loss solution. This type of treatment works most effectively for people who generally eat healthy, exercise regularly, and haven’t had any recent weight fluctuations. It is targeted contouring that focuses on small pockets of fat in specific areas.

The machine, says Dr. Stevens, is only part of what will make this type of body contouring successful. You also need to be sure your provider understands your body, what you want, and the proper placement and technique to help you achieve it. “An accurate assessment and appropriate application results in optimal results,” he says. “Yes, it works, but you must do it correctly to achieve optimal results.” Adds Dyer, “We do have the power to change the shape of your body, but it must be done thoughtfully.”

Interested in exploring CoolSculpting? Consult with our aesthetics specialists to find a provider near you!

CoolSculpting® Treatment Important Information

The CoolSculpting procedure is FDA-cleared for the treatment of visible fat bulges in the submental area, thigh, abdomen and flank, 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.

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 a submental area treatment. Rare side effects may also occur. 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. The CoolSculpting procedure is not a treatment for obesity. Ask your doctor if CoolSculpting is right for you. To learn more about what to expect, visit the CoolSculpting website.

Dr. Amy Wechsler, Laura Dyer and Dr. W. Grant Stevens are paid Allergan consultants. 

We Tried CoolSculpting to See If the Weight-Loss Treatment Actually Works

By BestProducts.com Aug 26, 2017

Three of us put the popular fat-freezing treatment to the test. Check out what we have to say about it! *Please consult with your doctor beforehand as CoolSculpting may not be for everyone. It's recommended for, but not limited to, candidates within 30 pounds of their ideal weight.

‘Laura Dyer made me feel totally comfortable.’

CoolSculpting is the fat-freezing treatment that everyone from your next-door neighbor to the Kardashians use to eliminate extra bulge. A fat-freezing (nonsurgical!) treatment sounds way too good to be true, right? Well, we went to test it out for ourselves to see if there's really something to what's being called "Hollywood's best kept secret." Spoiler alert: We went back for more.

Here's how it works: You'll have a consultation with your CoolSculpting technician and decide which areas you want to work on. The FDA approved CoolSculpting in 2010, and ever since, the technology has become more readily available across dermatology centers, doctors' offices, and medical spas nationwide. We consulted with Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C, at Dr. Amy Wechsler's office in the Upper East Side of Manhattan for our treatments.

You'll usually want to get more than one session done in the long run because each session can freeze up to 25% of the fat cells in a given area. All three of us who tried it had two sessions of CoolSculpting visits. Basically, your technician will set you up in a room with a machine best fitted for your target area. You'll have a gel-like substance applied to your skin before the machine is attached for a specific amount of time (around 30 minutes) or until your technician removes it. The machine literally targets and freezes fat cells, which your body will then eliminate as waste over time — but you won't get frostbite since it only affects your fat cells. It works like magic! And yes — you do feel your fat freezing at first!

“Did I mention I was able to work during the entire procedure?”

You'll start to see results two to three weeks after the first treatment, but your body will continue to flush out those unwanted fat cells for up to six months. One more thing: Most patients do get more than one area done at a time, and they usually go back for more than one CoolSculpting treatment. Start saving, because It'll likely run you around $2,000 to $4,000 to effectively treat one or two areas. Technically, you can try CoolSculpting for closer to $700 — that should get you a one-hour session with a small applicator. But it's best to be aware of the cost range before going in for a consultation, because the most effective treatment plan for your body might run steeper than you'd like. For example, a tiny area (like your chin!) might need two sessions to attain desired fat loss, but each session would be around $700 to $1,000 out of pocket, depending on where you go.

So, now are you wondering what it's really like to get this slimming procedure done? Read on to find out what happened when we put it to the test!

Patrick:

Spoiler: I'm a rookie at all of this. The only procedure I ever had done was getting my wisdom teeth out when I was 21. Basically, I was thinking that CoolSculpting was going to be like major surgery and I was nervous (a "baby," most would say). To be honest, I didn't really need a ton of fat gone, but as I'm getting up there in age (where I have to run an extra 10 miles to burn off the weekend's normal festivities) I could certainly use a bit of help in the tune-up department. As soon as I got there, Laura Dyer made me feel totally comfortable. Plus, the office looked like something uber-cool (like on Nip/Tuck), so my nerves totally disappeared and I was ready to tackle this CoolSculpting head-on.

I got my "tune-up" on my stomach area. Each section only took 35 minutes and was, legit, no big deal. The first five to eight minutes were pretty cold as the machine did its magic, but it was bearable. It almost felt like when you get into a pool or the ocean before the water is warm and it kind of takes your breath away for a second. Did I mention I'm a baby? After those initial few minutes, my stomach went numb and I felt nothing. Laura checked on me a bunch of times because I think she felt bad for me. Did I mention I was able to work during the entire procedure? They had a charger for my phone (or your laptop if you need it!) and I could just lay back and catch up on my endless emails.

These Are Literally the Coolest Beauty Products and Treatments to Try Right Now

July 3, 2017 by Megan McIntyre

CoolSculpting

One of the buzziest (and most popular) professional cold treatments is this so-called "fat freezer," performed at dermatologists' offices. It uses freezing temperatures to single out fat cells and crystallize them, killing the cell. Yes, killing. As in, no more fat cell.

While CoolSculpting isn't the only treatment for fat reduction, it is the only one to freeze the cells instead of heating them. "All the cells in our body have a temperature threshold," says Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C at Dr. Amy Wechsler Dermatology in Manhattan. "With heat, in order to get to an efficacious temp it is usually quite painful because it is not only very hot, but it's a little less consistent."

CoolSculpting, on the other hand, uses a temperature slightly higher than what water freezes at, so it just targets the actual fat cells and not the water-based cells surrounding it. This means less bruising, swelling, and pain.

As fat-freezing guinea pigs, we can personally attest to that statement. Recently Zeltiq, the maker of CoolSculpting, upped its game by tweaking some of its applicators to make the temperature one degree Celsius cooler. Dyer notes that this allows the treatment to be 25 minutes shorter and could even boost the results of some clients' treatments.

Everything You Need to Know About CoolSculpting

By Victoria Moorhouse May 14, 2017 @ 4:00 pm

Everything You Need to Know About CoolSculpting

The inner thighs and lower abdomen are two of the most difficult places to tone, even when a strict diet and exercise routine is being followed to the T. But a nonsurgical procedure, CoolSculpting, is gaining steam and making headlines left and right for being the answer to this common complaint by literally freezing off fat cells in tricky areas. Curious? We went to the pros to find out everything you need to know about this treatment, from how fast you’ll see results to what it really does to your body to risks, and everything in-between.

What Is CoolSculpting?

According to Dr. Heidi Waldorf is the Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, it’s the number one noninvasive body sculpting treatment in the entire world. "There have been over 4 million treatment cycles, 75 published papers, and over 5000 study patients,” she notes. “That is more in every category than any other noninvasive body contouring device.” Basically, the treatment, which is done using a FDA-cleared CoolSculpting device, uses cold to permanently destroy fat cells in a particular area, and no sedation is needed unlike liposuction. Each treatment, our pro explains, reduces fat about 20 percent.

What Does the Treatment Consist Of?

Dr. Waldorf says it begins with taking photographs and measurements of the desired area. "An applicator attached to the CoolSculpting device is attached to the area of the unwanted fat. The applicator is chosen based on the size, shape, and pinchability of the fat," she explains. "Most applicators have a degree of suction, more in the original versions and less in the newer. The applicator for the outer thighs, which is also commonly used on the flanks is flat without suction. The applicator is chosen and applied so there is no space between its surface and the skin surface, that way at the same time as the cold is applied, there is a feedback to the device of the temperature. So it is constantly adjusted automatically."

Another interesting fact? There's no downtime.

She says the treatment usually takes about 35 minutes, with the exception of the "Coolsmooth" for the outer thighs, and that takes 75 minutes. When the fat is frozen, Dr. Waldorf says it's then crystalized. "...when the applicator is removed, the area is either manually massaged or treated with radiowaves, the Zimmer ZWave Pro, to break up the crystals. We use the Zwave in my office rather than manual massage to reduce swelling and speed resorption of the fat. The damaged fat cells are gradually reabsorbed and excreted. There is no effect on the level of fat in the blood," she notes.

When Do You See Results?

Our pros tell us that patients begin to see results within a month, but it takes about three months to see the full results.

How Long Does It Last?

According to Laura Dyer, MSHS, PA-C at the office of Dr. Amy Wechsler, the results are extremely long-lasting. "The interesting thing about our fat cells is that after puberty, the stem cell capabilities that allowed fat cells to reproduce turn off. Therefore, the number of fat cells you have at age 18 is typically the number of fat cells you die with," she says. "Over the course of your life, as you gain or lose weight, those fat cells either expand or contract—the number of them never changes. Once your fat cells are exposed to CoolSculpting, 20-25 percent of them solidify, freeze, and then die during the course of the treatment. It takes your body about three months to fully dispose of the treated fat cells but once they are gone, they are gone for good and will not return."

Who Is the Ideal Patient?

If you can pinch an inch of fat, Dr. Waldorf says you are a canidate. "The ideal patient is close to the weight he or she wants, but has bulges of fat that won’t go away with exercise or diet," she further explains. "It can be used for double chin, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, knees, bra bulges, back fat, flanks and waist, and abdomen. Even patients who are in the process of losing weight or who just want to change their shape can be treated." However, it can not be used over an open hernia and it is not used for intraabdominal fat.

What Are the Risks?

Like all treatments, there are things to be aware of. Dyer says that the most common risks are temporary and resolve within a few weeks. Some include redness after the treatment, mild swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness or a dull sensation for about 1-2 weeks after. Some sensitivity or tingling around the area is also common. However, you should always talk to your doctor to see if it's appropriate for you. 

Who Provides the Treatment?

According to Dyer, the requirements change based on what state you're in, but you can use the treatment's locator tool to find certified and safe CoolSculpting practices. 

What Are the Costs?

This depends greatly on where you're getting it down and now many cycles you need. "It typically starts around $750 per cycle or $1500/area. An area, for example, would be both flanks or both thighs," Dyer says.