Quick-fix weight loss treatment freezes fat

Cryolipolisis procedures like CoolSculpting growing in popularity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Glendal Jones couldn't have been more comfortable. She sipped wine and checked email while demonstrating the latest trend in fat reduction to guests at an alternative medicine clinic.

"I did my research and found that this CoolSculpting is going to be the best option for me. I wholly recommend it for anybody who wants to do it. It's not painful. I'm sitting here drinking a glass of wine getting things done," she said.

CoolSculpting is just one brand of cryolipolisis and has only been available in the United States for a few years.

"Anybody who can do liposuction can do CoolSculpting," said Jacksonville plastic surgeon Dr. Sophia Kirk. "You are looking for areas and someone close to their ideal weight. It's not good for weight loss, but it is good for areas of the body that are stubborn that don't go away even with weight loss."

Kirk offers CoolSculpting at Posh Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville. She said there are no needles, no anesthesia and no recovery time. A special applicator is strapped to the treatment area

for about an hour. It chills the skin and freezes and kills the fat cells. But users won't see final results for three to four months.

"You're killing those fat cells and your body is digesting all of that and cleaning it up," explained Kirk. "There's a little swelling that happens after the procedure so even though the fat has been destroyed and attacked, it takes a few months for the swelling and inflammation to resolve."

CoolSculpting is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. While it's a cheaper, quicker way to lose pounds as compared to liposuction and other invasive procedures, you still need to go to a licensed professional. If it's not a doctor who's performing the CoolSculpting procedure, you want to make sure it's being done by a certified technician at a reputable facility.

Kirk says she has been seeing great results with patients who are freezing the fat, but adds it also requires a good exercise and nutrition plan.

"If you gain a lot of weight, you won't keep great results but it's hard for those areas to ever bulge the same way again," explained Kirk.

Professional trainer Art Brock supports the procedure for people who are living a healthy life, but who have age

or metabolism working against them.

Brock said, "I'm all about achieving goals, and if this is what helps them achieve their goal, and they're still healthy, and they're still not having to put drugs in their body to do it, then why shouldn't I be behind it?"

The sessions take about an hour for each area treated. According to research by Angie's List,  the cost can range from about $750 to $1,250 per session - depending on the size of the area. Getting rid of both love handles, for example, would require two applications.

For more information on CoolSculpting or to find a center that offers the procedure near you, go to CoolSculpting.com.