CoolSculpting: Stories

I had CoolScultping done on my upper and lower abs after having had two babies in two years and being transformed from having the athletic figure of a dancer to having a substantial mummy tummy. I wanted to get back on stage and so needed to diet to get back into shape. The only problem was my husband liked my new curvier frame preferring it to the muscular skinny physique I had previously sported. We decided upon a compromise. I would only lose half the weight that I wanted to going from 9st 13lbs- 9st 7lbs, rather than the 9st 2lbs I would prefer to be, so long as I could be rid of the mummy tummy.

After much research, I came to the conclusion that Coolsculpting was the way forward and so 15 months after the birth of my second child I bit the bullet and had the procedure done on my upper and lower abs. I had the procedure done in Simon Lee's Aesthetic Medical Clinic in Bristol.

Six weeks later I can honestly say that have I experienced more than a 30 percent reduction in the thickness of fat in the areas treated. My tummy is now now completely flat from the side and I can easily fit into my pre-pregnancy size 12 jeans.

I also lost 4lbs after the treatment by cutting out alcohol and drinking more water and this enhanced the effect, but by no means could be considered the reason for the new appearance of a flat stomach. I've never had a flat stomach, not even when I weighed 8st.

I also took before and after measurements of the area. They were 29 waist, 37 drop waist and 38 hip before, followed by a 28 waist, 35 drop waist, and 38 hip after. So it is obvious to see in the figures that it was spot reduction of the mummy tummy that was most significant.

I found the procedure itself odd but not unpleasant. The immediate sucking action of the applicator head is the most startling, followed by an intense cold, but it is soon replaced by a complete numbing of the area. I had slightly pink skin for a day afterwards and it felt tender to touch, but did not stop me from going about the daily chores required of me with two babies under three.

I did experience intense itching and bee sting like pains in the area on days 5-10 and did not feel up to doing any exercise on these days but these symptoms passed by day ten. It is six weeks since I had the procedure and I still have the sensation of having a slightly numb tummy, but only if I really concentrate on it. I took paracetamol during days 5-10, although this had little impact upon the bee-sting like pains, but as they were not severe in nature I was not perturbed. Rather it was annoying as I found it difficult to sleep through. I did call the Clinic's manager on day six to find out if I could take anything else and was given advice about further pain relief, which it turned out I didn't need in the end anyway.

The staff at the clinic were friendly, knowledgeable and reassuring. I'm sure I've never been offered so many cups of tea during a beauty treatment! I am considering treating my love handles in the future as I am one hundred percent convinced this procedure works for me.