What is cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis also known as fat freezing is a new procedure that involves the non-invasive cooling of body fat to break down fat cells, resulting in a reductionof body fat without damage to other tissues. The fat cells are particularly susceptible to the effects of cold, unlike other types of cells. While the fat cells freeze, the skin and other structures are spared from injury. This is one of the most popular nonsurgical fat reduction treatments performed worldwide.
Indications of cryoliplysis
Patients who wish to reduce a localized fat bulge that has persisted despite diet and exercise are best suited for cryolipolysis. The goal of cryolipolysis is to reduce the volume of fat in a fatty bulge. Some patients may opt to have more than one area treated or to retreat an area more than once.
Cryolipolysis procedure
After an assessment of the dimensions and shape of the fatty bulge to be treated, an applicator of the appropriate size and curvature is chosen. A gel pad is placed to protect the skin. The applicator is applied and the bulge is vacuumed into the hollow of the applicator. The temperature inside the applicator drops, and as it does so, the area numbs. Patients sometimes experience discomfort from the vacuum's pull on their tissue, but this resolves within minutes, once the area is numb.
Patients typically watch TV, use their smart phone or read during the procedure. After forty to fifty minutes of treatment, the vacuum turns off, the applicator is removed and the area is massaged, which improves the final results.
What are the risks of cryolipolysis?
The complication rate is low and the satisfaction rate is high. There is a risk of surface irregularities and asymmetry. Rarely, in less than 1 percent, patients may have paradoxical fat hyperplasia, which is an unexpected increase in the number of fat cells.
Recovering from cryolipolysis
There are no activity restrictions. Patients sometimes feel sore, as if they had worked out. Rarely do patients experience pain. If that happens the patient should contact the plastic surgeon, who may prescribe medication for a few days.
What are the results of cryolipolysis?
The injured fat cells are gradually eliminated by the body over 1 to 3 months. During that time the fatty bulge decreases in size, with an average fat reduction of about 20 percent.

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