CoolSculpting is based on a technology known as cryolipolysis, which is meant to freeze the tissue to the point where the fat cells crystallize, break down, and leave the body as waste. This helps the treated area slim down marginally.
Typically, this is exactly what occurs. But in a small number of patients, the fat in the treated site expands and hardens into an unnaturally shaped lump in response to the freezing temperature. This is known as paradoxical (abnormal) adipose (fat) hyperplasia (unusual increase in a structure), or PAH.
Rather than slowly shrinking after CoolSculpting, the fat actually becomes bigger and usually tauter than the adjacent tissues. At times, it takes on a “stick of butter” appearance that has a resemblance to the shape of the CoolSculpting applicator.
Modern Body Contouring & Laser Center (MBody), led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides CoolSculpting to patients in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and surrounding communities.
Liposuction can treat PAH
PAH is fortunately not a life-threatening condition, and it is completely treatable with liposuction plastic surgery. But patients who develop PAH have to endure a visible bulge for around six to nine months until the fat softens enough for safe removal.
Based on this, this implies that the patient ends up undergoing and paying for two procedures to remove undesirable fat that liposuction could have eliminated in the first instance, with more predictable, targeted sculpting than is possible with any non-surgical procedure.
Liposuction for Fat Removal and Sculpting
While non-surgical cosmetic procedures are continually improving, and many are safe, appropriate options for patients considering changes without significant downtime, surgery is sometimes the superior option.
In comparison, fat reduction accomplished with non-surgical procedures is only predictable down to a general site and offers minor improvements. The more comprehensive and dramatic outcomes that liposuction offers are well worth taking some days off and having a few very small scars that fade away over time.
Liposuction Procedure
After anesthesia, the surgeon will commence the liposuction procedure by placing small incisions in pre-determined and discreet areas. In many cases, the incision size may range from a quarter to a third of an inch.
The incisions will be placed in a manner that minimizes and future scarring. Liposuction plastic surgery does not usually require substantial incisions unless it is undertaken along with other procedures such as breast lift or abdominoplasty.
Fat Tissue Removal
The surgeon will insert a narrow cannula tube through these incisions to remove fat from the deeper tissue layers. They will gently move the cannula back and forth to dislodge stubborn fat pockets.
After the targeted fat deposits are adequately loosened, the surgeon will use a syringe or pump attached to the cannula’s outer end to suction the fat out.
Thermal Techniques
Sometimes, the surgeon may use innovative heat-based liposuction techniques involving ultrasound, laser beams, or RF energy. The heat produced through the energy waves liquefies the fat cells more easily without the need for any traumatic physical manipulation.
Incision Closure
Once the fat tissue removal and re-contouring of the treated areas are complete, the surgeon will seal the incisions with sutures. They may use traditional or dissolvable sutures. The surgeon will usually place temporary drain tubes beneath the skin in the incision areas to accumulate excess fluid.
Plastic surgeons at MBody receive patients from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Loudoun, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Chevy Chase, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and nearby areas for CoolSculpting. For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit
Serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington, Fredricksburg, Chevy Chase, Potomac, Maryland Richmond, VA and surrounding communities.
