CoolSculpting Banana Rolls

CoolSculpting is the brand name of a patented method for reshaping and contouring the body that “freezes” the skin’s underlying fat cells. It involves targeting fat deposits with temperatures ranging from -11 to  +5 ℃ that kills the underlying fat cells without damaging the skin’s outer layer. An exact temperature level and exposure are calculated to keep the fat cells below body temperature but above freezing to avoid complications. The fatty tissue then goes through localized cell death, followed by a period of inflammation that fades over time resulting in effective reduction of the problem areas.

This procedure is excellent for people who are not amenable to surgery or who have the desire to avoid downtime.^[1] Many studies have confirmed that CoolSculpting is a safe and effective non-invasive procedure for reducing localized subcutaneous fat and has high patient satisfaction.^[2]

Think you might want to try CoolSculpting? Continue reading, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about it. 

After seeing if CoolSculpting is right for you, book your next consultation with Patrick Bitter Jr, MD: Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology, located in scenic Los Gatos, in Santa Clara County, California. We are the premiere skin destination in all of the South Bay.

How does CoolSculpting work?

CoolSculpting is based on the science of cryolipolysis, which uses the cellular response to cold to disintegrate fatty tissue. The process extracts energy from the fat layers, causing the cells to progressively die while leaving the bordering muscles, nerves, and other unaffected tissues. Months afterward, the digested fat cells are filtered out through the lymphatic system. Cryolipolysis has not produced any significant adverse side effects in studies to date, and any noted effects have been minor and temporary.^[3]

Before and After Photos

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What are Banana Rolls?

Banana rolls is a term used to describe the crescent-shaped bulge of fat that develops on the upper thighs in the area just below the buttocks. They can be difficult to tone down no matter how hard you diet and exercise. CoolSculpting is an excellent non-invasive method of treatment for these stubborn fatty areas.

What causes banana rolls?

Banana rolls result from having too much fat on your body, usually caused by genetic tendencies and weak leg and buttock muscles. However, there are cases of people in good shape who have banana rolls.

Candidates

The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting is somebody who is looking to reduce problematic fatty areas. They should be at or near a healthy weight and not obese. CoolSculpting is not an ideal treatment if you are primarily concerned with loose skin. You should not consider CoolSculpting if you have a history of Raynaud’s disease or have severe sensitivity to cold temperatures. CoolSculpting is not an adequate solution for weight loss.

Personal Consultation

As with any medical procedure, you should consult with a board-certified practitioner to see if this procedure is right for you. Book your next consultation with us right away or call our office at (408) 358-5757. From there, we can discuss your goals and expectations for your body and skin. 

Not only is Dr. Patrick Bitter a board-certified dermatologist, but he also has over 25 years of experience in skin, face, body, and hair treatments. Dr. Bitter specializes in non-surgical treatments to improve skin health and delay aging and anti-aging medicine.

Preparation

The CoolSculpting process itself requires little preparation, only that you make sure to be healthy and near your ideal weight. You may want to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin before your procedure to prevent bruising. Smoking should also be avoided during the week leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

First, a special gel pad and applicator will be applied to your problem area. The applicator sends cool temperatures to the fatty area. The handheld device will then be moved over your skin while directing suction and cooling to the targeted areas.

The process involves minimal pain with some reports of mild pulling or pinching sensations. 

Afterward, your doctor or specialist will give your treated areas a massage to break up any lingering frozen deep tissue. Your body will then proceed to absorb the obliterated fat cells. Overall, the procedure can take up to one to three hours. Reported complications are uncommon and appear to resolve without intervention.^[4]

Recovery

CoolSculpting requires little to no recovery time. Many can resume their daily activities almost immediately following their procedure. There may be some mild redness and soreness, but that typically fades within a few weeks.

Results

CoolSculpting can reduce fatty areas by 20 to 25%, with results remaining six months after treatment. Full results are revealed within three months after the procedure.

If you have a particularly large and stubborn area of fat, you will most likely need to arrange multiple CoolSculpting sessions.

CoolSculpting doesn’t prevent new fat, so it’s recommended you maintain a healthy lifestyle following your procedure.

Complementary Procedures

Many patients benefit from a simultaneous fat injection of the face or buttocks. Indeed, the trend is not to destroy fat cells, which are a limited resource in non-obese individuals but to use them in areas of the body where they are deficient.^[5]

FAQ

References

1. Julius Few, MD, Renato Saltz, MD, Mark Beaty, MD, Michael Kelly, MD, Kiya Movassaghi, MD, DMD, Keith A Marcus, MD, David Sieber, MD, A Jay Burns, MD, Sara Sangha, PhD, Cryolipolysis: Clinical Best Practices and Other Nonclinical Considerations, Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2020, ojaa010, https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojaa010
2. W. Grant Stevens, MD, FACS, Laura K. Pietrzak, MSHS, PA-C, Michelle A. Spring, MD, Broad Overview of a Clinical and Commercial Experience With CoolSculpting, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 33, Issue 6, August 2013, Pages 835–846, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X13494757
3. Avram, M.M. and Harry, R.S. (2009), Cryolipolysis™ for subcutaneous fat layer reduction. Lasers Surg. Med., 41: 703-708. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20864
4. Chase D. Derrick, MD, Sachin M. Shridharani, MD, Justin M. Broyles, MD, The Safety and Efficacy of Cryolipolysis: A Systematic Review of Available Literature, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 35, Issue 7, September/October 2015, Pages 830–836, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv039
5. Eric Swanson, MD, Cryolipolysis: The Importance of Scientific Evaluation of a New Technique, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 35, Issue 5, July 2015, Pages NP116–NP119, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sju069