I recently turned 30 and have never had kids nor plan to. I have lost 50-55 pounds over two years and have kept the weight off and I am continuing a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise and am within 20 pounds of my goal/ ideal weight. This has left me with fatty deposits around my abdomen that have never budged since my weight loss journey. I have a hard time wearing clothing that fits because of these fatty areas around my lower abdomen so I have to wear a size too big or wear long shirts to cover the area. I've always considered lipo but I've never been a fan of needing/having surgical intervention that requires down time, especially for cosmetic reasons. After extensive research I discovered Coolsculpting and thought it was a perfect fit for me. I had a consult and it was determined for my main area of concern I would need 4 areas treated, 2 on either side of my belly button just above my pubic line and then two other treatments over lapping these along my flanks/hips to make sure I didn't have any left over bulges and it would leave a smooth continuous contour. A month later I had my treatment(s) and it was 1 hour per treatment. I had my pre-photos taken at 8:30AM and by 9:00AM I was in treatment and left after completion around 1:30PM. The treatment itself I thought was a breeze. For me there was initial pinching when the suction was applied but it was tolerable and I could breathe through it. Once the cooling started, which I didn't think felt super cold, I felt comfortable again, which was within 5 minutes. Once the applicator was removed my nurse provided a 2 minute intense massage on the treated area. This has been shown to improve results and is a little uncomfortable because the site is swollen and tender but I found I was still cold enough I didn't feel it too much. I was red for at most 12-24 hours and I am fair skinned and bruise easily. The area has a numb like feeling when touched after 24 hours and I have some bruising and swelling that is the most tender, but again, tolerable, I just feel sore and spanx underwear helps this. I plan to update my page regularly with my progress and the before photos my provider took prior to treatment as well as after photos.
Updated on 14 Sep 2015:
So, as I was told, I have some bruising. Personally I don't think the bruising is too bad considering I take fish oil which causes me to bruise easily. The discomfort is tolerable, I've been applying Arnicare gel to the area if and when I have the nerve pangs. I am able to gently apply cocoa butter to the area twice a day as well. It's a little tender but still has a numb like feeling and only feels uncomfortable if I bend over or lean up against a counter by accident. for the first time last night I had the itching sensation that is not relieved by itching but it didn't last. I noticed that most if not all of the swelling has gone from the area.
Updated on 22 Sep 2015:
It's been about 13-14 days since my procedure and at about 10-11 days I started getting the itching sensation. I find it happens mostly at night when I'm relaxing just before bed and it comes in waves about 2-3 times but so far has not effected my sleep. All bruising has resolved and I don't have any real tenderness or pain, only a slight numb sensation still but not as significant as in the first week.
Updated on 1 Oct 2015:
It has now been 3 weeks post-procedure, which is when they say you MAY start to see results. I personally feel and can see changes happening. I have very little numb sensations left in the two areas treated just below to either side of my belly button when I rub it. I have felt fine and am still on my healthy diet and exercise regimen. My weight has not gone up or down since the procedure 3 weeks ago. The treated area which is around the hip measurement when measuring to buy clothes is 44" today. I will start measuring every 4 weeks starting next week. I have added photos from today along with a comparison photo of last week compared to today.
Updated on 20 Nov 2015:
I am just over 2 months post procedure which is when most results is seen with Coolsculpting but have been told I can continue to see results over the next couple months. I am very pleased with the results. I am able to wear more form fitting clothes. I was down 2 pounds today since pre-procedure. I have attached my 360 photographs from the provider's office of before and after.