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I was scheduled to have a tummy tuck 6 months ago but backed out (didn't want huge scar or fake belly button). I lost 10 lbs but still hate my stomach (and need to lose another 10 lbs!), but I thought I would try coolsculpting. I go for my first session (lower abs) today. I am having my lower and upper abs, flanks, and inner thighs done over the next few sessions. Not cheap as far as cost! But I hope to see some good results. I am going to track them here. Maybe you can let me know what you think!? I am a bit nervous about pain, before and/or after. I am supposed to wear an abdominal brace for 5 days. I read it is not supposed to help tighten skin, but I am hoping when the underlying fat is reduced, my skin will retract as well... I want to track my measurements, so here is where I started today: Hips (widest part): 36 inches Waist (smallest part): 30 inches Waist at belly button: 34 inches Thighs (at widest part): 22 inches I am going to be giving you my unbiased, honest opinion over the next few months! Updated on 18 Sep 2015: Had my lower abs done this morning on both sides 60 minutes each. When the applicator was put on, the first 5 minutes or so, it did hurt. I liken it to a mammogram (squeezing pressing pain). But I did go away in a few minutes. The rest of the time I played on my phone or read a magazine. When she took the applicator off, like other post had said my fat/skin was a block of ice sticking up! She did massage it down for a few minutes. After that there was about a minute of tingling freezer burn feeling which almost had me panicking, as it thawed out. And bright red skin but that went away in 20 minutes. The other side was the same as the first, probably not as bad because I knew what to expect. Afterward I feel fine, hopped right up. She recommended a binder for a week. A few hours later I took the binder off to inspect what was done. It feels tingly and numb on my whole stomach. I think I am starting to swell also. But with the binder on its not bad at all. She said it's really going to swell up in a few days so I'm just waiting for it to get worse before it gets better! Here are some pictures 2 hours after the procedure. Couldn't get all the marker off... Updated on 22 Sep 2015: I havent been wearing the binder much because it is annoying. I actually called Sona yesterday to ask of i really needed to wear it (they said yes, mostly for comfort, not that that it helps improve results). Up until today i really didnt need it. But today my lower abs are still numb, but more itchy, swollen, and uncomfortable. Not the end of the world pain, but annoying! I almost feel panicky that i will never gave feeling in my stomach again. And i also think i am crazy freezing fat for the sake of looking good, ugh! Trying to stay positive... Updated on 26 Sep 2015: Really started hurting yesterday! Pain an 8 out of 10. I was up all night, couldn't sleep. it felt like bad internal sunburn with stabbing nerve pain. I actually tried that blue sunburn gel, it helped some what. Today i bought max freeze gel to numb the pain, felt like i was going to go crazy! The numbness is starting to wear off, thus the pain...max freeze gel has been amazing, but not sure if i am supposed to be using it?! Part of me doesn't care, just need some relief! Going monday for my upper abs, probably should have scheduled closer together to get it over with. Updated on 1 Oct 2015: Sorry i didnt post sooner! I slept horrible Sunday night, day 10, but felt much better that day when i got up and moving. I would describe it as your nerves are stretched and broken, and then trying to expand and grow again . Too bad I was going to get my upper abs done that day! I think the skin there there is tighter because it definitely pinched more but got better after 10 minutes. And I definitely have a bruise on one side. So far so good as far as pain, but i am scared it will hit me in a few days. Having my upper abs done made my lower abs feel numb again. Now the whole area is numb. But better than pain! Here is the picture an hour after the uprights we're done. No results yet, still swollen and numb, not expecting to see results for a while! Tomorrow I'm going for my flanks, I'll post while I'm getting it done ???? She did ok the max freeze to numb the nerves when tjet were going crazy. She also said the lower abs were the worst as far as pain, so I hope the worst is behind me! Updated on 10 Oct 2015: Had flanks and thighs done this week, pain and recovery not nearly as bad as my abs! All 4 areas are still numb but tolerable at this point. I feel like i have had some reduction in my abs but it is more likely from the swelling going down. It can only get better from here! If i would recommend anything itvwoyld be that if you are having multiple spots done schedule them as close as possible to get it over with rather than spreading them out over 3 weeks like i did, felt like a month + of recovery. Updated on 10 Oct 2015: Forgot to add, block of frozen flank fat! Updated on 22 Oct 2015: Its been about 30 days for my lower abs, 3 weeks for the upper abs, and less for the flanks and inner thighs. I do feel that there has been a difference, I feel flattered on my stomach. Of course not as much as I would like! But I'm still hoping in the next 30 to 60 days it will go down even more. I should add my weight hasn't changed at all. I'm not trying to lose weight or do anything differently because any differences I want to be strictly from the CoolSculpting. No pain or any uncomfortableness at this point. I would say the inner thighs were the easiest, don't even pay much attention to it. Although all the areas are still numb. I can feel a little bit of sensation on my stomach. I really thought that would at least be back to normal by now. But I guess that takes a few months. I was reminding myself this morning that I can't expect to have a perfectly flat stomach after having kids without doing some sort of sit ups :-) that will be phase too! Updated on 4 Feb 2016: All the reducing should be done by now, so here is my updated measurements: Before: Hips (widest part): 36 inches Waist (smallest part): 30 inches Waist at belly button: 34 inches Thighs (at widest part): 22 inches After: Hips (widest part): 36 inches Waist (smallest part): 30 inches Waist at belly button: 33 inches Thighs (at widest part): 22 inches As you can see, not much difference. I am the same weight. Clothes don't really feel looser. I don't feel like I look any better, either. It's weird because I really felt the best about 6 weeks after the procedure, then I got bigger again. Overall, a waste of $4200. And my skin seems looser and still a bit numb in spots from the procedure. I would say save your money and take a few weeks to diet and exercise, you would see better results! I'll post pictures later.