Mario Luca Russo, MD, MSc - Account Suspended

Very knowledgeable and ethical consultation . The Thermage face tightening was definitely superior to a similar treatment I had elsewhere. Right from the booking stage to after care the whole process was seamless . Also I could contact dr russo after the treatment with questions . The skincare recommendation was also very useful

Recently I was told by two different people to give Coolsculpting a try. Having put weight on in the past but been close to my 'ideal' healthy weight but certainly not 'shape' recently it has bothered me more than ever that my love-handles/flanks have been increasingly noticeable (well at least to me!). I exercise most weeks a couple of times a week doing a long run or a couple of HIIT classes and apart from alcohol consumption I also eat reasonably healthily. I have not had any children and at 35 now and having the means to do so finally I want to take what steps I can to look my best for myself and my partner.

I had a consultation with the Dr who advised me I would get great results for my abdomen and flanks given my height/weight and body shape and planned to have both done today however after reading on one of the forum's on this site of the many negative experiences of the treatment on the abdomen I decided against it at this time and opted for just my flanks.

I must admit I was very nervous (from having read so many negative experiences) but actually in hindsight the treatment is not so bad, the initial placement of the applicator (a medium sized one was used for each side) was strange feeling and the pulling sensation is not exactly pleasant but given what I had read and how nervous I was I was really expecting much worse. The hour seemed to go slowly and I would advise anyone doing this that feels the cold to make sure they place blankets on you - I certainly felt it! I would describe the brief massage (which feels like being poked roughly in my opinion) after as painful, perhaps a 6 out of 10 for my pain threshold but it is over reasonably quickly to make it bearable enough in the grand scheme of things. For about 10 mins after each side felt quite sore and bruised and still does now 6 hours later less so but definitely there especially on my right side. I have not had to take any painkillers but I would want anyone to touch me there. The other thing to add is that I felt very faint when I tried to get up after my second side was done but that passed after a few mins of lying back down again and have felt fine since.

I am hopeful about good results after 3 months but time will tell, in the meantime I am going to take Milk Thistle and continue with my exercise (a few times a week but nothing extreme - I am no gym bunny that's for sure).

I have added a before the treatments photo, I do have some redness and slight swelling and bruising now too but I think it's to be expected. Slightly concerned about general comfort going to sleep tonight but perhaps I am just being a baby. Will aim to post more photos and updates every week or every couple of weeks.

As I am waiting for the results following a few months I am putting 'not sure' on the was it worth it - hopefully I can change this to worth it or not worth it then.

Wish me luck!

Updated on 29 Jan 2016:
So I am on day 8 now and no change in terms of appearance, that's ok with me as I wasn't expecting any for a few months yet. This is just to update my experience so far since the treatment.

The first 3-4 days I have to say I did feel very sore/bruised and delicate but since then day by day the swelling has gone down and apart from a few tingly/pins and needles and strange sensations I haven't had any real pain at all and have managed the entire period without painkillers - although I was tempted on a couple of occasions in the first few days. I definitely still have some of the numbness but I can tell that the feeling is slowly starting to come back on my skin which is comforting as I didn't enjoy the strangeness of it all. I have posted a photo from today (same underwear to make it easy for comparison!). Will update again in a couple of weeks or if I feel there is a significant change.

After lots of research, I've decided to do coolsculpting as going to the gym 3-4 times a week doesn't help reduce some stubborn fat I have under the arms, on my thighs, lower abs and love holders. I went to Dr Mario Luca Russo who has 2 clinics, had a consultation in Canary wharf London, discussed the price and booked the treatment for another day. The process is very smooth and effective. The payment is in GBP

The treatment is in the clinic on Harley street, very posh environment. I dont really like the bed though as it's really small and hard, there isnt big pillows for my back and the bathrobe is very old....Anyways we started the treatment immediately, I was surprised no measurement or photos were taken at all by the doctor, how can he know there will be changes.....So i took my own photos afterward and did measurement so that i can compare.
The first 5 min is a little bit painful, we used medium applicator, the rest of the time it's alright, as skin is numb. After all the treatment, I went boxing the next day, had lots of water and wore compression garment most of time. I don't feel much discomfort so far, but will get some pain killer just in case the pain kicks in after a few days.

The Dr. promised if no effect i'll get retreatment, but I really hope this will work! Meanwhile I'll keep going to the gym at least 3 times a week (1 hour workout) and eat less carbs.

Updated on 8 Nov 2014:
I came back to have the rest of the areas done. The doctor took some photos upon my request today and a thicker blanket and rope are provided (Italian cashmere blanket) so I feel immediately better now.:)
Highlight is I received 2 complementary lpg treatment from them as aftercare, which is awesome.also the reception lady is amazing, she made me fruit shake.:)

My lower abs and love handles are fine after 3 days, the pain ppl describe hasn't hit me. I did my arms, inner thigh, back thigh and upper abs. Upper abs is the worst...

Updated on 11 Nov 2014:
It's day 6 since I have done lower belly. The pain kicked in on day 3. It's pretty bad, though the doc said 2 out of 100 ppl he treated had pain, I still think it's underestimated. Its constant, like needle or knife snatching my belly...I have been taking pain killer for 2 days, which doesn't solve much of the issue... Hopefully the result is worth it!

Updated on 16 Nov 2014:
it's been 10 days and the pain is almost gone, bruises and swollen are gone as well. i went to the gym this weekend for running, boxing and weight, all good! im so happy the pain is gong right now, it was a nightmare....
regarding the treated areas, i havent seen much different. not sure if it's illusion but i do feel slimmer in general....guess its just illusion...looking fwd to see more results in 3 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks!!!

Updated on 22 Nov 2014:
It's been 2.5 weeks. Some of the treated areas are still a bit numb, lower abs will hurt a bit if I press it, otherwise all fine. I go to the gym 3 times a week for boxing, also cut calories by 300-500 everyday. Here are the photos! No weight loss!

Updated on 1 Dec 2014:
It's been one month since the treatment. No pain any more. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week and try to watch my diet. Of course sometimes I can't give up on ice team:) no change on weight. Here are the photos

Updated on 21 Dec 2014:
After 6 weeks.. These 2 weeks I have been super lazy.. Only 2 times a week to gym ( boxing or kettle bell training ) but I do walk quite a lot as I'm a sales person so need to travel! I don't see any weigjt change, also not dramatically anywhere since 2 weeks ago. But I do fit in trousers much better. I was a solid bottom us4 but now I can fit in us2 jeans...

Updated on 19 Jan 2015:
I was disappointed over past 8 weeks to be honest, didn't see much changed even though I cut daily calories intake and worked out minimum 3 times a week. Over xmas, almost 3 weeks I just let it go and ate lots of unhealthy food, no gym of course!!! From jan on I started going back to the gym even more and started cutting calories intake again. 1200 calories everyday and at least 30 min zumba daily. 2-3 hours circuit weight training. Suddenly I see obvious changes! Some friends found out I'm better shape too. I will stay patient and see how it goes when it reaches 3 months timeline. Now it's 10 weeks post cool sculpting (with calories cut and regular cardio exercise)

I bought the Groupon voucher for Fraxel treatment and arrived with high hopes the office is really beautiful but the secretary was very arrogant and Dr Russo have not consulted me probably he put on the cream let me wait for over an hour and sat me on normal seat and performed Fraxel treatment in less than 2 minutes and send me home my skin was little bit red but no real change or peeling now 4 weeks later I don't have the follow up treatment as appointments difficult to get and I notice no difference in my skin at all unfortunately I bought more sessions with Groupon but lost belief in this doctor already. I feel as this is a rip off.

I had my fraxel dual procedure in rejuvination and spa clinic done by Dr Russo. I can say I had the worse experience. The doctor was quite rude and the procedure took only 5 minutes instead of 20 minutes. I asked him not to touch my undereye area but he didn't listen. So my undereye area was swollen for 3 days and one of my eye still hurts. I had Fraxel laser before and I know that procedure should last 15 - 20 min, not 5 minutes . My skin didn't even peel off,like it did before when I had my fraxel treatment.i feel like I waisted my money. He didn't put special glasses on my eyes to protect from the laser. I heard Dr.russo asking the receptionist if I paid full price, she said I paid groupon price. I assume if you pay full price then maybe he would do it properly. I think that they shouldn't advertise themselves on groupon if they only want full price treatment. I wouldn't recommend this clinic cause of my bad experience.

Having the 4 areas treated in 4 hours in 3 days time (lower abs 2x small applicator & flanks 2x small applicator).
I exercise 3-4 times a week and have a reasonably good diet but can't shift the slight muffin top.
Had consultation for vaser & coolsculpting, opted for coolsculpting even though results are not as good but less chance of anything going wrong and less than half the price.
Expectations are at least a 30% reduction but Dr thinks it will be more!
I will update on Thursday after the treatment. Will take before pics.

Updated on 25 Sep 2014:
Took these pics this morning.
Having treatment this afternoon.

Updated on 25 Sep 2014:
Just had lower abs done, not at all painful. Now lying on my front having flanks treated, absolutely fine.
I plan on playing tennis this evening so I hope things remain pain free!

Updated on 26 Sep 2014:
Slept fine. Numbness and slight bruising in treated areas but no pain whatsoever.
Worst thing is trying to get the felt pen off the areas marked by Dr, want visit spa today but might look a bit odd with felt pen highlighting my flab!
Took a few pics, apologies not the best quality.

Updated on 26 Sep 2014:


Updated on 28 Sep 2014:
Still numb, bruising is fading with no obvious swelling.
No pain experienced so far.
Exercised day 1 & 3 with no adverse effects.
Will be keeping exercise & diet regime the same as before treatment.
Will report back in a week or so.
If I've missed anything or anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Updated on 4 Oct 2014:
No fat loss yet, as expected.
Still numb. No pain experienced.

Updated on 24 Oct 2014:
Did not experience any pain in first month. Very slight numbness remains.
Now for the important part;
At this stage I can not see or feel any change. Still 37 inches around fattest section.
Diet & exercise same as before.
Having read other reviews I'm hoping for an improvement in month 2 & 3.

Updated on 27 Dec 2014:
Quick recap- had flanks & lower abs treated with 4 x small applicators 3 months ago. My diet and exercise pattern have remained the same as pre treatment.
I'm very disappointed to report no fat loss whatsoever at the 3 month point.
Before going ahead with CS I read reviews on this site, I was hopeful to see some improvement as I considered myself a good candidate for the treatment, this was also the thought of my Dr.
In my opinion, those reviews reporting fat loss are not due to CS but as a result of diet & exercise that CS has motivated them to do. Therefore, I suspect CS works as a motivator to improve lifestyle, this is not what I required, I wanted direct results as stated in CS official literature.
In my opinion it's a gimmick that clinics have bought into.