If you’ve been working hard on your fitness goals but are still struggling with stubborn abdominal fat, you might wonder if other options can help get the desired results. Coolsculpting is an FDA-approved treatment that can effectively reduce fat in the abdominal area.

Mount Nittany Health’s Mallory Miller, PA-C, will help us understand what CoolSculpting can and cannot do. This will help you have realistic expectations when considering the procedure.

“Someone who is a good candidate for CoolSculpting has maintained a stable weight for at least 6-12 months,” she shared. “If you’re within 10-15 pounds of your maintainable weight, are an active person, are overall healthy without comorbidities, generally eat healthy, and have these little pockets of stubborn fat—CoolSculpting would be a great option.”

Understanding how CoolSculpting works for abs

CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment that uses controlled cooling to target stubborn fat areas resistant to diet and exercise. During treatment, the device delivers precise cooling to your abdominal area, effectively freezing unwanted fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue or skin. Your body then naturally eliminates the dead fat cells over time.

The abdomen is one of eight FDA-approved treatment areas for CoolSculpting. “The abdomen is our most commonly treated area and responds well,” Mallory said. “The applicators are placed on the skin and deliver the treatment. The treated area needs to fit into the applicators so subcutaneous or superficial fat is more appropriately treated than large amounts of intraabdominal fat.”

The procedure is performed in the office without anesthesia, with minimal recovery time. Most patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment. “There is no downtime,” Mallory explained. “The surgical alternatives, like liposuction, have downtime, compression garments, and anesthesia. It is really nice to have CoolSculpting as an option to obtain the desired results without the downtime.”

Realistic expectations

CoolSculpting can effectively reduce abdominal fat. However, the results develop gradually. Most patients notice initial changes around three weeks after treatment. Results will continue to improve over two to three months. During this time, you might notice your clothes fitting differently before seeing visible changes in the mirror.

The treatment works best for reducing specific areas of stubborn fat rather than providing overall weight loss. It is more body-contouring than a weight-loss solution. Your starting point significantly influences your results for abdominal definition.

“You can experience up to 25% reduction of fat each time the applicator is placed on the body,” Mallory said. “All results are patient dependent, and most people will see 10-15% reduction.”

CoolSculpting results timeline might include:

• Weeks 1-2: Initial swelling subsides
• Weeks 3-4: Begin noticing clothes fitting differently
• Weeks 5-8: More visible contouring appears
• Weeks 8-12: Final results become apparent

CoolSculpting reduces fat cells, but it doesn’t create muscle definition. The best results are typically seen by combining treatment with a consistent exercise routine and a healthy diet.

“The goal is to get the fat to go away,” she explained. “Most patients want to get rid of their ‘muffin top’ area—they want their clothes to fit better. We take before and after photos to look for that flat appearance.”

Factors affecting results

CoolSculpting results depend on several key factors; understanding them can help set realistic expectations.

Starting point

Results are most noticeable in patients who maintain a stable and healthy weight and have good muscle tone beneath their stubborn fat areas. If you’re actively losing weight, it might be better to reach your goal weight before treatment.

Skin elasticity

Younger skin with good elasticity typically responds better to treatment, showing more even contouring as the fat layer reduces. Results can still be excellent for patients of any age who maintain good skin tone.

Fat distribution patterns

Everyone carries weight differently. Your natural fat distribution affects your results. Some people might need multiple treatment sessions to achieve their desired results, while others may see significant improvement after one treatment.

Lifestyle habits

Your daily habits significantly impact both initial and long-term results. Active patients who maintain consistent exercise and eating habits typically see better, longer-lasting results than those with fluctuating habits.

Patients need to understand that balancing these factors will contribute to their results and long-term appearance. “You have to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Mallory said. “We are freezing the fat cells, and they are going away, but there are still other fat cells in the body; if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle and continually indulge too much in unhealthy foods, your results can go away.”

Maximizing results

Many people find that CoolSculpting results help motivate them to maintain healthier habits. It can be an effective tool in your journey, but it works best as part of a comprehensive approach.

Multiple treatments may be necessary to maximize results. “People often have multiple treatments, while this is still patient dependent—most of our patients do have a second treatment,” Mallory explained. “Typically, they return for the second treatment 4-6 weeks after the initial visit, and again at 3 months as a follow-up to see the entire result.”

Interested in learning more to determine if CoolSculpting is right for you? Schedule a consultation with Mount Nittany Health’s plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine team to discuss your goals. “We have a full-service practice if CoolSculpting isn’t right for you,” Mallory shared, “we have Dr. Peterson, who can offer surgical procedures to remove excess skin and fat if more invasive procedures are needed.” Our experts can evaluate your needs and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.