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Pleasant, Easy and Fairly Painless Experience! - Oceanside, CA

Pros: Fast, effective, natural and...

  • 14 Feb 2013

Pros: Fast, effective, natural and permanent!
Cons: Slightly painful and fairly expensive. Also, not a solution for obese people.
My Motivation: Spot fat reduction to reveal my six-pack that I've been working for for over 4 years!
The Outcome: TBD - results to follow!
How Has It Changed My Life? TBD - results to follow!
What I Wish I Had Known Beforehand? Nothing - the information out there is very comprehensive and if you do even a little research, you'll learn everything you need to know!

My Story:
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I am a 6'3", 32 yr old male, strong, fit and healthy. I eat a clean diet and exercise regularly. In 2010, I hit my goal weight and body fat percentage of 185 lbs and 6.4% body fat, from 210 lbs and 16% body fat. However, despite this huge victory my ultimate goal of revealing my six-pack eluded me - this led me to be exceptionally discouraged after realizing that no matter how careful I was with my diet and no matter how hard I trained, I would never be able to beat my genetic pre-disposition of those pockets of fat around my lower abdomen and flanks. Also, for those of you who have come down to single digit body fat, in my experience, you know that it's not very comfortable living that lean. Because I'm tall, my elbows and knees get knobbly, my hip bones get sharp and protrude out which hurts my wife during love-making and all around, I'm starving hungry all the time because my metabolism is racing so fast! Not really practical for normal living. However, not be outdone, I did some research on how to beat your genetic pre-disposition when it comes spot fat reducing, which lead me to find "Ultrashape". Google it for more info - it's an awesome procedure and would recommend it HIGHLY! I had it done in 2011 and it worked great for me although I was only able to get 2 out of the 3 recommended treatments done because I was on vacation in a foreign country and ran out of time (Ultrashape was not FDA approved or available in the USA at the time of writing this). Treatments with Ultrashape are spaced 2 weeks apart to give your body enough time to pass the fat which gets mobilized but I only had 3 weeks available so could only squeeze in 2 treatments! Results were exactly what I wanted but just not enough to see my six pack although my torso shape was DRASTICALLY IMPROVED! Then 2 years later, after some more searching, I discovered Coolsculpting which IS AVAILABLE here in the US and after reading many reviews and doing my homework, decided to go for it!

The experience was very pleasant experience - not as good as Ultrashape but not bad. My target area was the fat pockets directly below and to either side of my navel. What I found interesting is that they had to do it in two sections as they said they did not want to suck the skin over the belly button up into the vacuum due to the possibility of injury - they said that they had someone's navel bleed before doing it that way so they preferred to do each side separately. Ultimately, the cost would be the same so I only lost an hour doing it that way - no big deal. I did not have any trouble with the skin sucking up into the vacuum as other people said - it was a little uncomfortable, but not really sore or anything. The mild discomfort came when the machine started to cool my skin/fat cells and as most reviewers say, it only lasts 5 minutes and then you're numb. The hour went by fast and then we were on to the other side - same process and experience as before, a little discomfort as it cooled down, but once numb it was all good. The massage of the frozen area afterwards was a little uncomfortable but again, nothing most folks couldn't handle. The real discomfort came when the treatment was over and the area started "thawing" - I was doubled over in pain at that stage and while it passed fairly quickly (about 5 mins), it hurt like hell at the time - probably an 8 or 9 out of 10.

It's been 1 day so far and to be honest, I barely know I had any procedure at all. I feel slightly swollen and bruised on the treated area but literally no pain unless it is touched or pushed on. Area is numb to the touch, but again this is 100% normal and to be expected. I am SOOOO looking forward to seeing the results in a few weeks and will try to post the after pictures at least once a week. Thanks for reading! :-)

*** UPDATE 2/20/2013 *** It has been getting...

  • 20 Feb 2013
*** UPDATE 2/20/2013 ***
It has been getting progressively more and more painful just below the treated area (just above my pants belt line). The pain fluctuates between a 2/10 up to a 5 or 6/10. It's not a sharp pain, just a kind of dull burning/aching sensation. Nothing that some ibuprofen can't fix I've been finding that because it creeps up on me so slowly, I tend to try and ignore it without pain meds which leaves me grumpy and irritable. Not so nice for my wife and doggie! :-) Other than that, I have not seen any major visual physical change, but at only 1 week, this is to be expected!

For the most part, the pain has gone and I'm left...

  • 4 Mar 2013
For the most part, the pain has gone and I'm left with a numb area where the coolsculpting was done. Sometimes the area is slightly painful to the touch, but for the most part it is pain free. No major results yet as it's only been 2 weeks but looking forward to seeing some results as time goes on!

Almost 3 weeks since my last update and much has...

  • 23 Mar 2013
Almost 3 weeks since my last update and much has changed since then. Pain is completely gone and the numbness is now only a distant memory. I have been working out consistently and eating a very strict diet to start cutting body fat in general for the upcoming summer but also to assist my body in getting rid of the fat that will be discarded from the procedure. What I can say is that the treated area is now much "thinner" when I pinch it - this is a big milestone as that area has always been very "fat cell dense" and has never pinched well for caliper testing. Interestingly enough, yesterday I measured my overall body fat with my Accumeasure Fat Track II calipers and it gave me a reading of 11.3% which blew me away! So far it's been just over a month and the results are looking very promising indeed. I'll keep this updated until the 90 day mark at which time I'll give my final verdict! :-)

Been two weeks since my last check-in. Visible fat...

  • 10 Apr 2013
Been two weeks since my last check-in. Visible fat reduction has seemed to have slowed/stopped. However, I can feel the subcutaneous fat between my fingers has defenitely gotten substantially thinner since before. This is acutally quite a big deal because once those fat cells are gone, they're gone. All that's left is diet and exercise and the proportions I'm looking for should be there. However, it hasn't been the full 3 months yet so I will reserve judgement until then. Side-note: It may seem like I've gone backwards in progress for this weeks pictures however I believe this to be mainly water retention due to the creatine I've been taking. Once this has flushed through my system, the "ripped" appearance will come back.

Final Update

  • 19 May 2013
Ok so it's been quite some time since my last update. This is mainly because there has been little to no more fat loss in the treated area. I've attached pictures none the less.

My final verdict is: No - it's not worth it.

I paid $1,500 for the procedure - had it been $750, I would have most likely gone a few weeks/1 month and been happy with the price:result ratio and then probably gone back for one more treatment which would have upped the doctors income two fold. The result would have been a satisfied customer AND $1,500. Now, unfortunately, it's one the latter.

Final Photo's

  • 19 May 2013
Amir Moradi, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Google.

5 out of 5 stars Overall rating
4 out of 5 stars Doctor's bedside manner
3 out of 5 stars Answered my questions
4 out of 5 stars After care follow-up
1 out of 5 stars Time spent with me
3 out of 5 stars Phone or email responsiveness
4 out of 5 stars Staff professionalism & courtesy
5 out of 5 stars Payment process
5 out of 5 stars Wait times
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Comments (14)

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I am a female petite, I had mine done 9 days ago on my belly area, the first two days I felt numb with no much pain, but now the pain is bothering me and have affected my sleep, I have to take the pain medicine a few times a day. I spent the same amount of money as you, I do hope that I can get the result like yours, of course it's too early to see anything yet. Can you tell me how long I need to endure the pain? I just can't wait for the discomfort to go away.
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To be honest, I didn't have to endure the pain that long. The major part of it lasted the first week, after that, it started to lessen pretty fast. For me, it came in waves - not sure if that's normal, but it's how it happened for me. Pain management via ibuprofen or similar is what I used. I guess beauty hurts right? :-) just kidding!
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I am really interested in your result as my body condition is very similar to you. I am a lot shorter than you, but I am also a lot lighter in weight (5'8", 135lb). Just like you, I am generally fit and work out all the times. As you've mentioned, it's pretty "un-humane" to live continuously under such condition, especially we normal folks aren't Hollywood actors, or trainer, we do make our livings from keeping ourselves fit! I am wondering, exactly which parts did you have CoolScultiping done? The mid section of the lower belly? The love handles? Those are my problematic areas, too. From the pictures you posted, it seems that the mid section of the lower belly gets a lot flatter now, is that true?
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Yeah, I had only my lower front belly done with coolsculpting (left and right of my belly button). That is all. I must qualify that statement - I have had ultrashape done on both front lower belly and love handles a few years prior, as I mentioned in my bio. To answer your question, there is most definitely a marked improvement and the area has gotten flatter, for sure. It's not as pronounced as ultrashape, but the results are definitely good. Bear in mind, I've been working out, very hard, so I haven't been sitting on my butt expecting the coolsculpting to do everything for me. But yeah, all in all, definitely a reduction in fat in the treated area - if I pinch the fat, I can definitely feel how much thinner it is. I haven't gotten to the end of the 3 month period yet, but to honest, right now, I rate ultrashape higher than coolsculpting. You considering getting it done?
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I also work out regularly -- pretty much daily, at least 45mins elliptical and 45mins of exercises on various parts of the body (a rather large portion of the exercises are focusing on the abs.) I am also on a very strict diet. The problem is that from what I can tell from my progress, I probably will have to increase my exercise times drastically if I want to see even better result than I am getting now. Unfortunately, I just don't see how I can squeeze even more times out than I do now. That's why I want to see if CoolSculpting can help. As for Ultrashape, I couldn't find any places that offer it near me. Plus, from the prices I've seen in RealSelf, it seems to be more expensive than CoolSculpting. One question I want to ask you is -- did you basically doing the same amount of exercises and having the same type of diet, before & after you have Coolsculpting?
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Interesting about your secondary workout focussing on abdominals. I'm going to share some info that I've learned over the last few years and some info recently learned (I'm in the process of studying to be a NASM Certified Personal Trainer). While it's good to focus on Abs, the won't get rid of the fat around the belly button or midsection. In fact working them out will actually encourage hypertrphy (muscle growth) in that area, which is opposite to what we want. What's worked well for me (and others I've read about) is interval training (weights+cardio at the same time 40secs on, 20 secs off) with focus on the largest muscle groups of the body i.e. back, legs chest etc. A few reasons: 1. boosts EPOC (excess post exercise consumption) and RMR (resting metabolic rate) for longer after training. 2. causes hypertrophy, which means you burn more cals at rest 3. Single leg squats boost the body's production of testosterone which will improve/support the previous few points. Bottom line, less fat = more visible abs. Once you've contoured the fat cells evenly between the upper and lower, and you wanna make the 6-pack "pop" then yeah, ab work all the way. Until then, all that work is just making the lower section "pop" even more but you can't see it because there's a thick layer of fat covering it. To answer your question directly, yes I've been doing the same amount (or possibly a little less) than before the treatment. I've recently moved so my routine is messed up, but once I'm back in the groove and cut some bodyfat for summer, I expect the 6-pack to be proportioned much better. A little tan wouldn't hurt either :-)
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Ahh thanks Daughtersgirl! This weeks pictures are going to be very bad though - just got back from 1 week vacation where all we did was eat, eat, eat! Started my eating plan so I should be seeing more 6 pack within the next 6 weeks or so! :-)
  • Reply
I'm a Naturopathic Doctor and have The Herb Shop wellness center in Montgomery Al. I'm investigating the cool sculpting method. There are many aspects of natural physiology processes that herbal supplements will safely and affectingly improve. Most of which the medical profession doesn’t know about, and frankly don't really want to know about. From my research so far the time it takes to loose inches can be several weeks after the actual procedures. My recommendation is to add the following supplements 1st two weeks Dieter's Cleanse, Lymphatic Drainage and Kidney Drainage. Then continue with the drainage remedies, adding Hi-Lipase at 4 to 6 capsule on empty stomach, and Skin Detox at 2 to 3 capsule 2 to 3 times daily for 3 to 4 weeks. Then maintain with at least a collagen base product thereafter.
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u r looking amazing!it looks like you got your moneys worth! very good results!hi 5!!
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Thanks for the kind words Daughtersgirl! You know, I look at some other peoples before pics and think to myself "You look great before, why are you doing coolsculpting?!" but I guess it's all about where we're at on our own personal journey! :-)
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Exactly Quaddy! I have noticed that 2 lol...but you know we are all our worst critics. But at the end of the day it's whatever makes you happy! So did they tell you to expect moreresults or is it like once u get it done that's it?
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Yeah, from what I've read, Coolsculpting takes anywhere from 2 to 3 months to show 100% results which are around 20 to 30% improvement. To tell you the truth, Ultrashape is far superior IMO but I can't say that categorically because I haven't seen the results yet. Will keep this post updated every week with progress pics! :-)
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Ok! well that sounds awesome. I can't wait to see your final results. Keep us updated! I'm gonna look up the Ultrashape that you rave about so lol. Best to you Quaddy!
  • Reply
you look great!hopefully you will get evrn better results within days to come!
  • Reply

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