Moderate

Body Contouring

Body contouring procedures remove or destroy localised fat deposits that persist after weight loss. They are not weight loss treatments — they are best used for targeted areas at stable weight.

Quick read · 4 min

Requires a qualified medical practitioner. Always verify credentials before proceeding.
In simple terms:
  • •These are not weight loss treatments — they remove localised fat deposits that remain after weight has stabilised
  • •CoolSculpting freezes fat cells; the body removes them over 4–12 weeks
  • •Liposuction permanently removes fat cells surgically — results are stable if weight is maintained
  • •Best done after weight has been stable for 6–12 months, not during active loss

Based on clinical trials · No rankings · Every claim linked to source

Last reviewed: March 2026

CoolSculpting / Cryolipolysis

How it works

Controlled cooling (between 0°C and −11°C) is applied to targeted areas via an applicator. Fat cell lipids crystallise at these temperatures while surrounding tissue is unharmed. The body's immune cells (macrophages) clear the dead fat cells over 4–12 weeks — producing a gradual, visible reduction in fat thickness.

Clinical results

✓Fat thickness reduction (ultrasound measurement): 19.6%–32.3% in prospective trials
✓Fat caliper reduction: 14.9%–21.5%
✓Abdominal fat reduction at 16 weeks: 31.1% (prospective multicenter study)
✓Patient satisfaction: 95.8% reported improvement at 16 weeks

Sources: PubMed 2024 · PMC 2021

Risks and considerations

  • •Common: Mild, transient redness, swelling, numbness in treated area (resolves within weeks)
  • !PAH (Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia): ~4 cases per 3,453 treatment cycles (~0.1%) — treated fat paradoxically expands rather than shrinking. Requires liposuction to correct. Main serious risk.
  • •Results appear gradually over 6–12 weeks; peak at 3 months
  • •Not appropriate as a weight loss treatment — best for localised deposits

Liposuction

How it works

Surgical procedure: a thin cannula (tube) is inserted through small incisions and fat cells are physically suctioned out. Fat cells in the treated area are permanently removed — they do not regenerate. Most effective for: abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, chin.

Considerations

  • ✓Permanent removal of fat cells — results do not reverse if weight is maintained
  • ⚠Surgical procedure — carries standard surgical risks (infection, bleeding, anaesthesia)
  • ⚠Complication risk is approximately 60% higher in patients who have had prior bariatric surgery compared to non-bariatric patients
  • ⚠Not a weight loss tool — for body contouring after stable weight is achieved

Source: PubMed 2014

Medical disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.

Next step most people take

Loose skin after weight loss
When skin doesn't retract — why it happens and what can be done
What happens when you stop treatment
Maintaining stable weight is key before considering these procedures
← Cosmetic ProceduresSkin tightening →