I really loved my provider and I trusted their CoolSculpting experience and method. They were also pretty realistic/honest/open so that my expectations were appropriately managed in regard to the results of CoolSculpting.
During many consultations with different doctors and providers, I was repeatedly told I was the perfect candidate for CoolSculpting on my tummy / flanks / upper abs. However, I would say my results were too subtle for the money I spent on 2 treatments on tummy / flanks and 1 treatment on upper abs.
You may think you are seeing excellent results in my photos but please keep in mind, I was also doing regular cardio and weight training exercise during this time, as advised by all the doctors and all the information online about CoolSculpting. Also don't be distracted by my skin tone change in final photo, we used a professional camera instead of an iPhone for that one. Also it was the end of the summer and my body always looks better with a tan!
The photos I have attached show my progress over 6 months:
(1) the first photo was taken before treatment
(2) the second photo was taken 3 months after the first treatment
(3) and the last photo 3 months after the second treatment.
Just keep in mind that this is a very expensive treatment for a pretty subtle result and for the best outcome you will also need to exercise and eat mindfully. But if you can easily afford it (unlike me) I would say it's definitely worth a try before lipo.
Also regarding the procedure itself: I felt nothing on my flanks but my tummy and upper abs hurt so much when the device came off and I started to thaw during the very important massage to break up the fat. It was such a weird burning sickening feeling I nearly threw up and fainted. The second time was better because I knew what was coming but it was still almost unbearable. I'm told the feedback from patients is varied and some people have no pain at all on the tummy and upper abs.
Good luck!