I'd seen the billboards advertising CoolSculpting and I was skeptical. In a country consumed with weight loss and get-thin-quick gimmicks, it's sometimes hard to tell what's legit and what isn't. But I wanted to be impartial, so I went into Dr. Gordon Sasaki's office with an open mind.
What I learned surprised me. I expected a hardcore sales pitch from Dr. Sasaki and the CoolSculpting reps. Instead I got a no-nonsense discussion about science and the physiology behind weight loss and fat loss. CoolSculpting isn't a process they recommend for everyone. And it's not so much about overall weight loss as it is focused on fat loss — getting rid of that stubborn fat that even fit, healthy people have lingering around their midsection. This was certainly refreshing. Where were the miracle claims? Where were the obviously altered before and after photos that strained credulity?
Dr Sasaki has undergone the procedure himself.
Troy is a guy many men can relate to. Athletic, married with kids, his weight has fluctuated over the years. Overall he stays pretty healthy, but he's got some love handles that he just can't seem to break up with. According to Dr. Sasaki, that's a common problem. Once weight is gained and then lost in an area, those fat cells are still there, albeit smaller than before. Traditionally, the surgical method to get rid of that fat meant liposuction, an invasive technique with plenty of risk and plenty of pain. CoolSculpting was a perfect alternative for Troy. He spends an hour in the chair, dealing with a cold application that's numbing but not painful, and that's it. Over the next few weeks his body works to eliminate the newly destroyed fat cells.
The infamous tummy shot that got Troy to try CoolSculpting.
Seeing the process firsthand was helpful. I learned that CoolSculpting isn't a miracle cure designed to eradicate the negative effects of a lifetime of bad habits,. Rather, it's a bit like teeth whitening to get rid of stubborn stains. It helps patients get over that last hurdle. Looking better, feeling better, and without having to go under the knife. Turns out CoolSculpting might be kinda cool after all.
Video produced by Lori Parker and Will Lerner. Production by Jeremy Heyward, Marc Levy, John Adams. Editor: Nolan Cooper. Sound editor: John Adams. Graphics by Todd Tanner, Matt McDonald and Howard Kim for Yahoo! Studios.