Swollen and bruised... Oslo, Norway

After reading all the reviews in this forum, plus extensive googel'ing and reading everything from personal blogs to scientific reports, I had this treatment done today on my lower abdomen. I am 40 yrs, 5.9 and weigh about 165 lbs. I have wanting to speed up the flattening of my belly for a while. With age and a less physically active work day, the kilos have come one by one. I have had one child, and although I think nature was kind to me by almost not stretchmarking me at all, I have definitely got a thick layer of extra fat on the front of my tummy. It is very obvious when I pinch it, that it is located on the front - and this does look very unattractive when wearing fitted clothes.

A little history: About half a year ago I tried out CaviLipo - after aggressive campaigns and many Groupon deals I decided to give it a try - could it be too good to be true? In fact, it was. With 5 sessions I lost a whole lot of my jelly belly, and was very happy with the results, before the fat eventually re-accumulated in the exact same spot, without any other gaining of weight. My doctor who performed the CoolSculpting described those not FDA approved alternatives that even hair dressers perform on almost every corner, as that they empty the fat cells of fluid, not destroying them permanently. And my experience is that this is so true, since it all came back to me, leaving me looking exact the same as post-CaviLipo procedure.

Anyway, back to CoolSculpting (just described the experience above to tell you why I wanted it done, and how much I hope for this result to be permanent!). I consulted a doctor who performs both CoolSculpting by Zeltiq and Laser Lipolyse, asking for the best option for me.. Hoping he will not sell me something that's not giving me the results I want. I am hoping the results will boost me and motivate me in my goals towards a healthier, fitter body, that I plan to get from Gym training and Yoga.

The procedure itself was OK. I had a consultation two weeks prior to the sculpting session, where he tried out the largest nozzle just to see if I was a good candidate. He said that it is crucial for good CoolSculpting results that enough fat can be inserted in the device, and that the layer between the plates are not exceeding 4 cm. Out from the 'length' that was possible to suck up into the device he deemed me to be a very good candidate, and even promised that I would have a flat looking tummy with just one session. I am a bit in doubt if I need a treatment on the upper abs as well, but guess I'll try out the lower abs first, and if the result gives me a bulk on the upper tummy I would do it as well on the upper, if necessary.

Details about the procedure:
My doctor marked out the area for treatment, with a cross at the peaking point a few inches below my bellybutton. I got photographed in many angles (but not weighed). The cold sheet is uncomfortable, but hey; bearable. The first minute, when all the fat is sucked in is kind of weird, and it is hard to breathe for a while. After checking if that was okay for me, that I did not feel nauseous, he decided to increase the suction power to 80 (no idea if this is normal/high? Anybody knows?), and got a new grip with the machine to suck in more of the fat, even harder. It hurt a tiny bit, and when the cooling came on it was a bit unpleasant for a few minutes, before it all got numb.

The last 5 minutes of the session was the only time things felt a bit different; a tingling sensation, like waves moving through the pinched tummy part. It was not uncomfortable, but a bit weird. The nurse explained it as this was connected to the dying of the fat cells (but I don't know what to think about that. If it is true, that explains why a whole hour is needed, because this was just the last 5 minutes sensation).

When they removed the machine I had a very peaky lower tummy! Like a small flat frozen mountain, red and buttery looking, completely numb. My doctor had described the massage as a contributor to success, and it was hurtful (but not unbearable) in the edges between the frozen and normal skin. He told me that the rough treatment would possibly give me bruises, but as it was a factor of success, I welcomed it. Then and there, at least, heh... I was told how to repeat this massage every day at home, to increase the effect of killing the almost dead fat cells, but I was also told that this might prove to be almost impossible to perform during the first days of soreness. I will try to do it, and we will see if I manage...

I have some concerns, as I could see from the red frozen area, that the machine was not placed entirely symmetrical on my tummy. But the nurse told me mot to worry, that the middle part of the treated area would get the most of it anyway. When walking home I just felt some random shots of weak pain, a strange sort of nerve-pain. But mostly I was numb, and still very cold at the skin. As the eventing has developed, my belly is still numb and very swollen. Look almost pregnant. Hard to imagine what to wear tomorrow at work. Right now I wear a kind of compression garment, a type of hight-waisted mamluk said to be effective on cellulite. I was recommended to wear shape-up tights over the belly by the nurse. The doctor said this did not really effect the results, but as people has told me in here, it might help on the pain. Will sleep with the pants tonight.

I will update with photos from post-session, and right after the session as soon as I get the uploaded to my computer.