How one client's fat-freezing journey reminded us why progress photos matter.
A few days ago, one of our lovely clients returned to My Temple wanting just one more fat-freezing treatment on her hips.
She's been coming to us over the past few years, having had several treatments to gradually reduce the stubborn fat around her hips and lower back.
During our conversation, she made a comment that caught my attention.
"I'm not sure if it's really working for me."
Now, having performed more than 20,000 weight-loss consultations over my career, I've learnt something important about how we see our own bodies.
We become accustomed to what we see in the mirror every day.
And sometimes, that means we forget just how much our bodies have changed.
The Moment We Looked Back
Rather than simply discussing another treatment, I pulled up the photographs we'd taken throughout her fat-freezing journey.
We started with the original images from August 2023, before her first treatment.
Then we looked at her progress in June 2025.
Finally, we compared those earlier photographs with the images taken in October 2026.
Her reaction?
She was amazed.
Looking at the photographs side by side, she could see the changes in the contour of her hips and lower back.
The areas we'd treated had visibly changed over time.
But because those changes had happened gradually, she'd simply become accustomed to her new shape.
She'd forgotten what her body looked like when she first came to see us.
Why I've Included Three Different Comparisons
I wanted to share all three photographic comparisons because they tell a much more interesting story than a single before-and-after image.
August 2023 – June 2025
Our first comparison shows her earlier shape alongside her progress following treatments during that period. You can see changes in the contour of her hips and lower back.
June 2025 – October 2026
The second comparison shows how her body looked at two later stages of her treatment journey.
This is particularly interesting because changes that are easy to overlook in the mirror can become more apparent when photographs are compared.
August 2023 – October 2026
And finally, the comparison that really surprised her.
These photographs show her shape near the beginning of her journey alongside her most recent images, more than three years later.
It's this longer-term perspective that helped her recognise just how much her silhouette had changed.
Fat Freezing Isn't Always About One Treatment
One of the biggest misconceptions about fat freezing is that a single treatment will necessarily deliver someone's desired result.
The reality is that everybody is different.
The amount of subcutaneous fat, the size and shape of the treatment area, the applicator selected and the individual's response all influence the outcome.
Some clients are happy with the result of one treatment. Others choose to have additional treatments to progressively refine the contour of an area.
With this particular client, we've worked on her hips over several years.
It hasn't been about dramatically changing her body overnight.
It's been about gradually addressing the areas that bothered her, assessing the results and deciding together whether further treatment would be worthwhile.
And that's something I feel strongly about.
Fat freezing should be about thoughtful treatment planning, not simply selling someone more treatments.
Why We Take Progress Photos at My Temple
There's a reason we're particular about documenting our clients' results.
When we look in the mirror every morning, our brain becomes familiar with the person looking back at us.
Gradual changes can be difficult to recognise because there isn't always a single moment when we notice something different.
It's a little like someone you haven't seen for three years commenting on how much you've changed, while the people who see you every day haven't noticed.
The same thing can happen with body contouring.
Photographs provide a visual record that doesn't rely on how we remember looking.
They're also valuable when we're assessing whether further treatments are appropriate.
Of course, photographs have limitations. Posture, lighting, clothing, camera angle and changes in body weight can all influence appearances. That's why we also consider treatment history, measurements and the client's goals.
At My Temple, we're not just interested in how many treatments you've had.
We're interested in what has actually changed.
And She's Decided to Have One More Treatment
After reviewing her photographs, our client could appreciate the progress she'd made.
She still wanted to address a little more fat around her hips, so we've planned another treatment.
Now we wait for the results.
Fat freezing isn't instant. The body gradually clears affected fat cells following treatment, with changes developing over the following weeks and months.
We'll review her progress once the treatment has had time to take effect.
And, of course, we'll take another photograph.
Because this experience was a wonderful reminder of something I often tell our clients:
You can't change what you don't measure. And sometimes, you can't appreciate how far you've come until you look back at where you started.
Considering Fat Freezing for Your Hips or Lower Back?
If you've been struggling with stubborn pockets of fat around your hips, waist or lower back, fat freezing may be an option worth exploring.
At My Temple, we assess your body shape, the area you'd like to treat and whether cryolipolysis is suitable for you before recommending a treatment plan.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate, and results vary. Fat freezing is designed for localised subcutaneous fat reduction, not overall weight loss.
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your body, your expectations and your options.
Book a fat-freezing consultation at My Temple.
Linda Pickett
Founder, My Temple | Bachelor of Nursing | Author of Why Can't I Lose Weight?
