Now that summer is only a few weeks away, getting your body ready to don a swimsuit and hit the beach may be one of your concerns. As a mother, our bodies have dealt with a lot during pregnancy and childbirth, and it may not be in the shape we want it to be in. There may be some unwanted bulges here and there that you want to reduce.

If you are among those who do not want to go under the knife to undergo liposuction, a better alternative would be CoolSculpting, a non-invasive procedure that uses controlled cooling to remove excess fat. It is among the most preferred methods nowadays since it is the only FDA-approved method that provides such benefit. If you’ve decided to undergo CoolSculpting in San Antonio, it is important to first manage your expectations so you will be confident as you enter a Texas clinic. Here’s what you should prepare for during your procedure: 

During the Procedure

Once you’ve done your consultation and the procedure is deemed right for you, the practitioner will set a schedule for you. Treatment areas will be prepared accordingly. Note that as the applicator is placed on the treatment area, you may feel a mild sucking sensation as the applicator adheres to your body. 

Afterwards, you will feel a cooling effect. During the entire duration of the treatment you can expect to feel a range of sensations, such as tugging, pinching, cramping, pulling, and stinging. Eventually, the area will become numb and you won’t feel anything more. Once the applicator is detached from your body, the provider would massage the treatment area to aid the breakage of the fat cells, further enhancing the fat reduction effect. 

Take note that for the first 10 to 15 minutes, it is common to feel intense cold. This means that the procedure is actually doing what it is supposed to do - removing fat via controlled cooling process. 

Immediately After the Procedure

It is common to experience mild side effects after the procedure, including swelling, bruising, redness, pain, cramping, or firmness. If the treatment area involves the chin area, you may also feel fullness in your throat area. In some rare cases redness may persist for two weeks but would resolve without intervention. Other than these symptoms, you are not expected to have any difficulties recovering as the treatment does not have any downtime since the procedure is non-invasive. In fact, most individuals undergoing CoolSculpting can even multitask during the procedure. 

Treatment Duration

Treatment time varies from one person to another, as it can depend on what areas you will require. If you choose to do the tummy area, it will take longer than those who choose to work on their chin area. 

Visible Results

A single CoolSculpting therapy can already bring about 25% fat reduction in the treatment area, but it can also vary depending on the person and the area of focus. The number of sessions can be best addressed during your consultation with your provider. They may work with you to determine how many treatment sessions you may need or if you would require additional treatments to reach your goal. 

In terms of results, you may not see immediate effects after the procedure as fat cells need to break down. But visible results can show within the first month until three months. Full effect may be more obvious as you hit your sixth month post-treatment. 

CoolSculpting is an ideal procedure as it is proven to be safe and effective in removing stubborn fat. It is approved by the FDA for use under the chin and jawline, abdomen and flank, thighs, back, upper arm, and under the buttocks area.