Cool Sculpting: Procedure, Risks, Side Effects, Recovery

A significant weight loss related to bariatric surgery or post-pregnancy changes can leave loose skin hanging behind. Body sculpting, also known as body contouring, includes surgical and non-surgical procedures to fine-tune your new body shape by eliminating excess fat, getting rid of extra skin, and reshaping the area. 

Body sculpting is not a process to help you lose weight. Instead, it shapes the specific areas of the body where a significant weight loss results in extra skin. 

1. Younger appearance
2. Smoother skin
3. More defined, well-shaped body parts
4. Symptomatic improvement
5. Less downtime
6. Produces very few or no side effects

Body sculpting is performed for people who want to feel thinner or attain a specific body shape. It is often used when exercise and diet aren’t making any difference in their body shape. Surgical body sculpting procedures can help remove excess skin and improve loose, wrinkled, and saggy skin that develops with age in most body areas. Common areas include:-

1. Back 
2. Arms
3. Neck and chin
4. Thighs
5. Belly
6. Flanks (love handles)
7. Buttocks 

Body sculpting involves both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Surgical body sculpting includes:-

1. Liposuction: The procedure uses suction to remove fat from specific body areas such as the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms or neck. It includes the following procedures:-
   1. Laser liposuction (uses a laser to remove fat from under the skin)
   2. Tumescent liposuction (uses tumescent anaesthesia to remove subcutaneous fat from under the skin)
   3. Power-assisted liposuction (uses a cannula with a vibrating tip to break down dense deposits of fat)
   4. Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (liquefies fat cells before their removal)
2. Lifts and tucks: These procedures remove extra skin and excess fat from areas where liposuction is inefficient. These surgeries include:-
   1. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
   2. Brachioplasty (arm lift)
   3. Breast rejuvenation (includes breast lift, augmentation, or reduction)
   4. Circumferential body lift (belt procedure)
   5. Buttock lift
   6. Inner thigh lift
   7. Panniculectomy (removal of a pannus or an apron that hangs down over the genitals and thighs)

Non-surgical body contouring treatment is called lipolysis. The methods of lipolysis include:-

1. Injection lipolysis (puts deoxycholic acid into the body to target fat cells)
2. Cryolipolysis (uses an extremely cold temperature to destroy fat cells)
3. Radiofrequency lipolysis (uses ultrasound waves and heat to target fat cells)
4. Laser lipolysis (uses a laser to destroy fat cells)

The following steps are undertaken during Surgical Body Sculpting:-

1. The doctor will make incisions in your skin based on the procedure:-
   1. Facelift: An incision near the temple to the lower scalp. The doctor may also make an incision under the chin to iron out the wrinkles. 
   2. Breast lift: Incisions around the areola or in the space between the nipple and the breast crease. 
   3. Tummy tuck: An incision between the belly button and pubic hairline. 
   4. Arm lift: Incisions either on the back or in the inner portion of your arm. 
   5. Thigh lift: An incision extending from the groin towards the knee, along the inseam of the thigh.
   6. Lower body lift: Incisions on the torso. 
2. Next, the doctor will cut, shape, or reposition the tissue and excess fat to create your desired look. 
3. Once the tissue is in place, he/she will trim the excess skin. 
4. The excess fat will be suctioned out either by using liposuction alone or in combination with other procedures. 
5. The doctor will close your incisions and apply bandages to the wound when the procedure is complete. 
6. The procedure can last from about 45 minutes to several hours, depending on the procedure. 

The following steps are undertaken during Non-Surgical Body Sculpting:-

1. The team will ask you to change into a hospital gown. 
2. You will be positioned on a table or chair. 
3. The doctor will mark the area to be treated with a pen or marker. 
4. For injection lipolysis, he/she will inject a drug in the area you want to reduce the fat. 
5. Depending on the procedure, your doctor will use a tool such as a wand or a paddle to deliver laser beams, ultrasound waves, cold or heat. 
6. You may need additional treatment sessions to achieve the desired results. 
7. One session typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

1. Before the body sculpting procedure, you will have an appointment with a plastic surgeon. 
2. The surgeon will inquire about your medical history, including your allergies and previous surgeries. 
3. Inform him/her about your medications, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins. 
4. The provider will examine the areas you wish to change. 
5. He/she will perform a physical exam to determine if the treatment is fit for your physique and weight. 
6. The doctor will advise you for a pre-anaesthetic checkup. 
7. He/she will discuss your options and make treatment recommendations. 
8. The healthcare team will ask you to stop smoking before the procedure. 
9. You will also be asked to stop taking certain medications like aspirin, herbal supplements, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 
10. You need to stop eating or drinking two hours before the procedure. 
11. The doctor will explain the procedure, discuss the risks, and inform the estimated cost and the insurance formalities. 

1. You will sign a consent form giving your permission for the procedure. 
2. You will be asked to remove any lotion from your skin before the procedure. 
3. The team will ask you to change into a hospital gown. 
4. Someone from the nursing staff will shave the area to be treated. 
5. An anaesthesiologist will monitor your vitals. 
6. The doctor will mark the areas of treatment with a marker or pen. 
7. He/she will record your last meal.

1. The team will position you on a surgical table to perform safety checks with anaesthesia and nursing staff. 
2. Based on the procedure, the anaesthesiologist will administer local or general anaesthesia. 
3. Someone from the team will clean the skin at the surgical site. 
4. The anaesthesiologist will monitor your vitals throughout the procedure. 
5. The doctor will make incisions in the area to be treated. 
6. Finally, he/she will perform the procedure, close the incisions, and apply bandages. 

1. After the surgery, you will be allowed to go home the same day or may require one overnight stay. 
2. If you have surgical treatment, you should ask someone to drive you home. 
3. You may have surgical tubes near one or more incisions to drain excess fluids or blood from the surgical site. It can also help prevent swelling. 
4. The team will give you specific instructions for the use and care of the drain and change of bandages. 
5. You must avoid sun exposure. 
6. Do not engage in over-activity, but move around a little to avoid blood clots. 
7. Your provider might ask you to wear a compression garment for six to eight weeks. 
8. He/she will prescribe medications to control pain and prevent infection. 
9. Initial discomfort can last up to four weeks, while a full recovery can take several months. 
10. For non-surgical procedures, you can leave the clinic immediately after the procedure and continue with your normal activities. 

First Follow-Up Appointment

The first follow-up appointment is scheduled a few days after the surgery. During the visit, the doctor will examine the body sculpting results and look for possible complications. It is important to stay in close contact with your doctor over the following weeks.

Like any other surgery, surgical body sculpting comes with certain risks, although uncommon. These risks include:-

1. Bleeding or blood clots
2. Complications of anaesthesia
3. Asymmetry
4. Hair loss near the incisions
5. Infection
6. Nerves, blood vessels, organs, or muscles damage
7. Hematoma (collection of blood outside blood vessels)
8. Incisions unable to heal properly
9. Unexpected pain or swelling 
10. Weakness or numbness resulting from nerve injury
11. Heart or lungs problems
12. Skin irregularities and discolouration
13. Scarring of the skin
14. Results different from expectation, which may require another surgery

Some Risks of non-surgical treatment include:-

1. Swelling
2. Rash
3. Red skin
4. Soreness or pain
5. Unsatisfactory results

Call your healthcare professional if you experience:-

1. Drainage or bleeding from the incision site
2. Redness or swelling at the incision site
3. Fever higher than 100.5℉
4. Dizziness
5. Chest pain
6. Nausea or vomiting
7. Pain that does not improve with medication