First class with the professionalism and friendliness from the reception staff through to the clinicians. Dr Mountford has an uncanny ability to read a face or body and know the best treatment to get the most positive result from treatment. In this instance I was treated by Esther who did Ultherapy and a prophoril injection. The difference has been amazing and I genuinely feel years younger but looking real and myself.
I’ve been considering having CoolSculpting for the past year since first reading about it. It seemed a good non-invasive solution for an issue I have had with my stomach since I was 9 years old (I’m now 37) when I had Cushing Syndrome which left me with a double stomach effect. I really hope this helps to smooth out my abdomen. Updated on 14 Feb 2018: I had two CoolMax applicators in my lower abdomen and two CoolAdvantage in my upper abdomen (equivalent of 6 cycles and it took over 3 hours in all). I was fine with the initial suction and duration of the treatment, I didn’t really notice it tbh! However the massage straight after was very painful, I had to breathe through it and focus on it only being 2 minutes. Also after the first applicator the feeling of the blood coming back to the area was also excruciating! Having another applicator straight away actually helped as it numbed it down again. I felt very sore afterwards and the swelling started straight away - really not very surprising after a very vigorous massage on your tummy! I also felt lightheaded. Top tip - eat a big breakfast and snack during the treatment as it will help that. I probably should have eaten more beforehand! I’m now 2 days post treatment and I am still very swollen and sore but I haven’t taken any pain killers today. I am however living in baggy leggings as the area is very sore and the bruising has come out of the upper abdomen. There is some numbness too though - it’s a very odd feeling. I wonder how my stretch marks will calm down as they are more pronounced at the moment and combined with looking 4-5 months pregnant it does take me back to being postpartum!! Updated on 15 Feb 2018: Lovely yellow bruising on my upper abdomen! Bought some light control shape wear today as my lower abdomen from being swollen is really overhanging and jiggling as I walk which is not a feeling I’m used to and it’s creating a line between the abdomen and pubic area - yuck! I think with some control in place it will help, although I’m still really tender in that area. Still can’t get all the black pen off either as I don’t want to scrub my tummy! A few sharp pains and niggles today I’ve noticed. Updated on 16 Feb 2018: Swelling is going down every day. The shapewear yesterday really helped with movement and I think with the swelling too. Getting little stabbing pains and bit of an itch in the area. If it stays at the same level it’s totally bearable so fingers crossed :) Updated on 17 Feb 2018: Swelling reduced further. However now have itchy shooting pains in my lower abdomen which are really not pleasant! Didn’t sleep well so will consider antihistamine if still bothering me tonight. Updated on 18 Feb 2018: I was pretty miserable yesterday as the nerve pain hit over the course of the day. Stabbing pains, pins and needles, itchiness. I took antihistamine and regular paracetamol which helped and I ended up sleeping ok. But today it’s still going. It goes in phases and it’s really annoying! Definitely concentrated more in my lower abdomen and I wonder if that’s because I had 2 large applicators there and some overlap. Hoping it eases up tomorrow but seems to last until day 11 for most from reading the forums :( Updated on 19 Feb 2018: Swelling has pretty much all gone. Still getting nerve pain and itching but antihistamine is helping a lot. Some bruising still but sensation is returning (mixture of numb, tender and normal at the moment!). Will post another update at 2 weeks. Updated on 21 Feb 2018: Just want to update to say finally the nerve pain has eased! Some pains but nowhere near as often or as intense. Compression seems to have really helped me with the nerve pain - so that’s my top tip! The areas are still tender and numb in places but I feel much better :-D Updated on 26 Feb 2018: So the horrid nerve pain and itching subsided a lot by day 9. By day 11 I was finally back to wearing ny normal jeans but needed support wear as otherwise the zip dug in and bruised my finally healing tummy! By day 12 no pains at all. All the pain was in my lower abdomen. I’ve done a side by side pic of today. No change in the top but maybe a little change in the lower?? Really excited to see how it changes over the coming weeks and months :) Updated on 12 Mar 2018: I am starting to see real results! Both sections of my abdomen have decreased and the front view shows generally how much flatter my stomach has become. I am pleased so far but hoping it will change even further as it’s only been 4 weeks. I didn’t post an update at 3 weeks as I was on my period and I was bloated so didn’t think that was a genuine reflection of any changes. Will update again at 6 weeks :-) Updated on 21 Mar 2018: I can definitely see and feel a difference! I still have the double stomach which is what I wanted to get rid of so I MIGHT get further applicators to my upper abdomen but I am really pleased with the difference and will be exercising the area even further to try and get it as flat as can be! Updated on 20 Apr 2018: Am really really happy with my results :D I have much more confidence in how I look and clothes are fitting me better. Would highly recommend the short term pain if you don’t want an invasive procedure. I’m pleased also that I did my research and went to an authorised and respected clinic for this - don’t go cheap with a mimic machine and find a technician who gets regular training from Zeltiq. Updated on 15 Jan 2019: I am still very happy with my results. I have put on some weight as my exercising has been non-existent for a few months so I can’t expect anything less! However the improvement is still there and I would do more (if I could afford it!!)
