I Got CoolSculpting And Here’s What Happened (Before And After Photos)

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CoolSculpting: it’s not getting your makeup contoured by a rockabilly or molding clay with Matthew McConaughey. It’s non-surgical fat reduction via the most high tech gadget I’ve ever been hooked up to. And I was SO excited to partake!

My treatment was through the Marina Plastic Surgery, who has the highest volume of CoolSculpting procedures in the world. It’s located in Marina Del Rey, CA and is the home of Dr. Grant Stevens, who you might know from his multiple appearances on The Doctors, EXTRA!, Good Morning America and more.

Many of these appearances are played on a TV reel that shows in the busy, yet calm waiting room, reiterating my feeling that I was in good hands.

When it was time for my appointment, I was lead into a room by Rachael, who would be doing my sculpting. She’s a Master Medical Aesthetician, a Body Contouring Expert and a Certified Permanent Makeup Artist.

In fact, one of the reasons that Marina Plastic Surgery is the world’s leading authority on CoolSculpting is credited to Rachael. She told me she’s done somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 CoolSculpting procedures!

But what exactly IS CoolSculpting?

I’ll let the good Doc explain…

In a nutshell, you are freezing fat which is then absorbed through your body’s lymphatic system and eliminated through your metabolic processes. (TMI: gradually in your poop). The fancy name is Cryolipolysis™. It’s non-surgical, non-invasive, and relatively comfortable.

I chose to do my arms (i.e. lunch lady arms, bingo wings or whatever terrible term you want to call the saggy underarm) and was super excited that I could also do under my chin thanks to the newer and smaller machine; the CoolMini.

Rachael recommended two treatments for my chin (45 mins each) and three treatments on my arms (one hour each). The next treatment should be scheduled six weeks after your first.

CoolSculpting Process

After getting me set up in a comfy reclining chair, Rachael applied a cool gel sheet to each area to protect the skin and clamped the devices onto the area to be treated.

Now, I have a pretty strong threshold for pain. I am the girl who insisted on going to the beach on the same day I broke two elbows, remember.

1. During CoolSculpting

But honestly, though it’s a little shocking at first to have your fat clamped and the subsequent numbness that follows is a little uncomfortable, I didn’t feel like this was anything that I (or you) couldn’t handle. Watching an hour of Netflix on the TV while it was going on helped too.

2. Immediately After CoolScuplting

Once the treatment was over, Rachael massaged the area to break up the frozen fat cells; with her hands on my chin and a machine for my arms that was like a mini jack hammer, but I didn’t feel anything since I was still numb.

3. CoolSculpting Recovery

I did have redness on my arms (which cleared in a few hours) and some bruising (which cleared in a few days thanks to the help of the wonder herb Arnica.) My chin showed no signs of the procedure. I did have a dulling of sensation on both my arms and chin for the week following.

CoolSculpting Results

Results can be seen in as little as three weeks, but the most dramatic results will be apparent in one to three months. I’m to expect a 20% to 25% fat reduction.

I am SO excited to share my results with you, complete with before and after photos.

Which is pretty much the most horrifying idea to me because I have spent years hiding these areas in photos. But I’ll do it for you! And, to highlight this amazing technology. 

CoolSculpting Before And After Pictures

I am blown away with my results. I had three sessions each on my chin and upper arms, with a six to eight week waiting period between each appointment.

Here are three things I learned…

CoolScuplting isn’t a quick fix.

It took five months until I saw the full effect of the three treatments. (That includes the waiting period between each.) You need to give your body the time to process and eliminate the fat after each treatment.

CoolSculpting isn’t for quitters.

Every person I spoke to who only did one treatment reported results ranging from the lukewarm “Meh” to the steadfast “It didn’t work.” I personally did see slight results after just one treatment, but the most noticeable results came after my second treatment and increased with my third. Listen to your practitioner when they tell you how many appointments you need.

CoolSculpting works.

I mean, just look at those photos! There is no denying that my chin and arms are visibly thinner.

Coolsculpting Neck Results Photos

CoolSculpting Before and After Pics: three 45-min CoolSculpting treatments with the CoolMini machine

Can I just take a moment to say how mortifying it is to post those before photos for the world to see?

I spent YEARS (honestly, years) hiding my arms and double chin. Working the angles in photos, strategically placing layers in my hair, sporting shrugs.

To, quite literally, let it all hang out there is hard.

Coolsculpting Arm Results Photos

Before and After three 45-min CoolSculpting treatments on arpmit fat.

But I’m so happy with the results that it even gives me the confidence to show you where I started. I wore a tank top and a ponytail last week. Not to be too dramatic, but that’s major for me.

As mentioned in my previous post, it doesn’t come cheap.

How much does CoolSculpting cost?

Sessions with the CoolMini are $1000 a treatment and CoolSculpting is $700 per area (but Marina Plastic Surgery does offer discounts if you purchase multiple treatments). But knowing now how well it worked, I’d pay it in a heartbeat.

(Well, not a heartbeat. But I’d skip my latte a day habit and totally start a savings account for it!)

A closer look at those shrunken Bingo Wings!

If you have stubborn fat in areas that seem to be resistant to diet and exercise, I highly recommend CoolSculpting. If you go see Rachael (and, you should!), tell her we heart this sent you.