The Lowdown on Coolsculpting

Coolsculpting isn’t new, but Synergy MedAesthetics has quickly become known for their expertise in the procedure. Director of Aesthetic Services Amber Cherry, LME, MA, is, above all, a master body sculptor, but more than that, she’s an educator, too. And, it’s her absolute transparency that keeps her patients returning. We spoke to Amber about the cold, hard truth of Coolsculpting, from exactly what to expect at your initial consultation to an honest (but still transformative) assessment of the results you can expect. With the goal of educating us all, Amber’s real-world transparency is a welcome change.

 By Amber Weilkens

 There are few among us who relish the thought of someone grabbing the fat on our lower abdomen (or anywhere else), even if we’re paying for the service. Now add in a layer of vulnerability that comes with wearing a disposable bra and panties while it’s happening. If this is already sounding like a nightmare, we understand, but stick around if you’ve thought about upping your confidence levels via getting rid of those pockets of fat no amount of working out will conquer.

 Plus, people have misconceptions about Coolsculpting. In fact, you may know someone who was delighted with the results or someone who wasn’t. According to Amber, client satisfaction comes down to two things—having the procedure explained completely and honestly to them and having it performed by an expert in body contouring. Lucky for us, Amber ticks both those boxes. In fact, she insists on in-person consultations before the procedure, ensuring no client leaves with bad information. Amber chooses to deal in reality. Not looking for fast sales, she’d rather have her clients’ trust. And she does, in spades. After all, truthfulness always wins in the long run doesn’t it?

 Regarding Coolsculpting, Amber shares, “A lot of times, people think one treatment will be the equivalent to liposuction. That’s why consultations are essential. It’s my chance to educate them on the procedure and how it actually works. It’s not ‘one and done’—it’s multiple treatments. There’s a limited amount of Cryolipolysis (fat cells destroyed by freezing) from one treatment, about 20–25%. If your goal is 50% or higher fat reduction in that area of your body, you’ll need subsequent treatments.”   

 Amber is an aesthetics (and U.S. Army) veteran, and it shows. Before even considering a new machine or product for use at Synergy, she tests it as a consumer to ensure it lives up to the hype from salespeople and glossy ads. She did this with Coolsculpting, too.

“I’ve had it done on multiple parts of my body, including my abdomen and flanks. It absolutely works.” Amber also tells clients what levels of pain to expect, although she admits it’s subjective. “When I had Coolsculpting done on my abdomen, it was only a bit tender, but when I had my flanks done, I understood why some people say it’s painful,” she admits.

 Synergy uses Coolsculpting Elite, the latest version of the machine, employing the newest technology. Having the most up-to-date version means better outcomes for patients, but the machine is only half of the equation. The other half is the practitioner, and when we say Amber is a master at Coolsculpting, we’re not using hyperbole. In addition to completing Allergan Medical Institute’s Coolsculpting Training Course, she further graduated from the Master Course at Allergan Headquarters in Austin, Texas. She’s the only master-credentialed Coolsculpting practitioner in the Mobile area and has been a practitioner for almost seven years.

 One thing she wants those considering Coolsculpting to understand is that it’s not a weight loss plan—it’s about contouring. So what does it work on? “Stubborn pockets of subcutaneous fat can be contoured. For instance, women tend to store fat in their lower abdomen due to estrogen levels. I love that I have the ability to help them remove it,” she says, adding, “This is where aesthetics meets artistry. A woman can tell me she wants a more defined waist, a thigh gap, or a double chin minimized and I can help her achieve that through contouring. Playing a part in someone’s self-confidence growing is something I treasure.”

 Contouring won’t work on visceral fat (picture an otherwise average-sized person with a pot belly) because it’s wrapped around organs. It’s also not for loose skin, which is often mistaken for fat. “Clients will come in for a consultation and point it out. Although Coolsculpting won’t tighten skin, we have many other options like lasers and ultrasound that will stimulate collagen growth and tighten loose skin,” she shares.

 Because it can take several treatments (and months) to see the final results since it takes time for your body to eliminate the destroyed fat cells, some clients might not notice the changes at first. “I recently had a client tell me she wasn’t sure her lower abdomen looked better. I showed her the before and after photos, which made it clear how much the area improved and she was delighted. We see our own bodies every day and it’s sometimes hard to notice the incremental changes from Coolsculpting,” Amber clarifies.

 Which leads to Amber’s key point (and passion)—education. “At Synergy, we provide a multitude of services, and education is such a large part of what we do. I love to educate people,” she says. And she means it, so much so that she travels the country as a consultant, training practitioners in advanced aesthetics for not only Coolsculpting, but also laser theory, tattoo removal, microneedling, chemical peels, and more. Amber’s skillset is a major factor in Synergy MedAesthetics being a trusted one-stop aesthetic shop and as luck would have it, she’s got a VIP customized Coolsculpting package just in time for the holidays. “Summer bodies are made in the winter!” she so brilliantly concludes.

Synergy MedAesthetics

720 Oak Circle Drive W, Suite 300, Mobile | 251.999.6691

SynergyMedAesthetics.com