CoolSculpting Reviews
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No Side Effects? NOT TRUE! - Florida

Not Worth It
Spent: $965 in Florida

Comments (17)

Posted 15 Feb 2011

I had it done on Feb 3, 2011 on my lower abs where I have the post-baby pooch. I was told about and read all about the "no down time" and "no side effects" prior to having this done. Not true!!

I had excrutiating pain starting the third day after the procedure, it felt like thousands of needles prickling my stomache from the inside, sharp stabbing pain. This lasted until day 7 or 8 and now I'm still suffering from what the nurse called allodynia. She said there was a disruption of nerve endings (neuropathy) and what I'm experiencing is comperable to shingles! I was given litaderm patches that give minimal relief. She said this should gradually feel better after a few days, but could last a couple of weeks. Any slight touch to my skin, including a breeze, hurts. My shirt rubs against me constantly and I wake up every couple of hours from discomfort. It feels like sandpaper rubbing against a nasty sunburn.

This has been a complete disruption to my life. I can't find anything online that relates this to coolsculpting, but the nurse seemed familiar with what was going on and said it she read about it through clinical studies. She also said it was not common. It would have been nice if this was mentioned somewhere prior to my agreeing to do this, so I could have been at least somewhat prepared for what might happen. Right now, I am 100% regretting this procedure.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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My Doctor: name not provided

My rating:

The doctor who did my initial consultation, but not the actual procedure, has a good reputation and was great. The nurse and staff who did the procedure were great too, but I just wish someone had at least given me a heads up about the "uncommon" side effects.

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Comments (17)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 15 Feb 2011

Hi Steph -- I'm so sorry about what you're going through but thanks for posting this. I've heard of some people having pain after CoolSculpting but nothing like you're describing. I hope it clears up soon! Please keep us posted on your progress.

Newton 19 Feb 2011
Thanks for posting your experience. I've been online for over an hour to see if my side effects were normal. You were the only one who communicated exactly what I'm experiencing. I have tremendous needle pains and pain medication doesn't help.
I spoke with my doctors office yesterday and they said my pain is normal and to take pain meds. Like you I wish I would have known this is a side effect. It started 3 days after the procedure and I haven't been able to sleep at night. Very painful.
Thanks for sharing.
how long did it last?
Newton 20 Feb 2011
I had the procedure on Monday. The needle-like pain started on Friday. Today, Sunday, my doctor called in a prescription for topical cream to help the pain. It's reduced the level of pain so I hope to sleep tonight. So to answer your question 3 days of pain and counting.
steph1373 21 Feb 2011
I am happy to say that today, Feb 21, I am pain free!! It's like someone just pushed a button and I woke up comfortable. Occasionally, there is a quick stab, and there is still sensitivity but I can handle that. It's pure heaven as far as the past two weeks are concerned! So, the pain lasted about 2 1/2 weeks. Apparently, I have sensitive skin and the lidoderm patches made it worse with the burning and added sensitivity. I think the worst is over, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Hang in there and let me know how it's going for you. Praying for good results!
Newton 21 Feb 2011
Great to know you are pain free. 2 1/2 weeks UGH! My doc prescribed triamcinolone cream. This is my second day applying it twice per day and the pain is nearly gone. I got a few hours of sleep last night.

I hope you reap great benefits from the procedure. Keep me posted.
Shelby1723 2 Mar 2011
I had the procedure a week ago and have the same problem. Very painful! Everything on the Dr.'s website and Zeltig site say "painless". So untrue!!! When I called the Dr. they said they had only 3 cases where this happened, but they should warn you of this possibility ahead of time! My nerves are on end dealing with this pricking pain in the treated areas.
Newton 3 Mar 2011
UGH! Sorry Shelby. The triamcinolone cream helped me. Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Stephanie Mobile 17 Mar 2011
Now that it's been longer do you see much of a difference? I have been watching this for a couple months and am interested in Zeltiq - I have an appointment for a consultation in a week but I am really hoping I can loose at least an inch off my belly bulge and I don't want to waste the money if no one is getting that kind of result...Thank You!
theroad 13 Mar 2012
I had this procedure 8 weeks ago. My bowel is located largly in my abdomen and makes me at age 56 look 8 months pregnant. I had no side effects nor improvement.
Coleen Clower 10 Jul 2011

I am 53. Had the procedure on Wednesday and looked 7 months pregnant for two days and now I am in severe pain. Tingling pricking in my stomach. Doc should have sent rx for topical analgesic and pain m rx when I left the office. Will call doc in the am. Any suggestions for the pain tonite?

datcat 4 Oct 2011
I am also experienceing the same problems, the area is so sensitive, I was told to keep my exercise routine for better results, but it is not without discomfort.
Stephanie Mobile 4 Oct 2011
I'm still wondering if any of you have had a noticable reduction in size from your treatments...I am hoping for a reduction of 1" around the hip area that is a result of the lower belly pouch sagging - Yuck! My waist and hips are not proportionally right with each other, if I buy pants that fit over my hips right then I have a gap on the waist band. No ammount of exercise seems to balance me out!
Gracie_Days 19 Mar 2012
No. I am so upset. My stomach is swollen so large from the procedure that I cant button my pants that fit well prior to the procedure. I am thinking of going to small claims court to get my money back.
Office Manager 20 Mar 2012
My procedure was 3 weeks ago today. I too was swollen and area where I had the procedure was rock hard until a few days ago. Now it is extremely soft and skin looks loose. Biggest problem I face right now is the itching. Driving me crazy! Nothing seems to help it.
Gracie_Days 20 Mar 2012
Meh you jinxed me somehow. One day shy of a week since I had it not only am I in exteme pain the itching started today and I am ready to jump out of my skin. Had I know all this I would have never done it this way. Would have spent a few extra $$ for instant sculpting.
Office Manager 21 Mar 2012
I never had extreme pain - first week was very touchy though. Even my clothes rubbing against my stomach was very uncomfortable. Hang in there! I do believe it is now getting better except for the itching. I go back to the doctor at 8 weeks and they assured me by that time my body would have absorbed about half of the fat cells and I would be very happy. Hope so. Good luck to you Gracie_Days!

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