Had CoolSculpting done 3 wks ago and I have hard spots all over by belly. Will the rock hard, painful lumps go away?

Question

I just developed two more in the last 72 hours. They are extremely painful however, the oldest ones are becoming less painful. I am a redhead who is really sensitive and I am afraid I have permanently disfigured my belly (not noticeable until you touch my stomach). I have read on this blog docs saying it will go away after several weeks. Is this accurate?

Douglas Wu, MD · Answer

Do not be alarmed with the hard lumps you are feeling a few weeks after cool sculpting.  That is how the procedure works initially.  The medical term for what you’re noticing is “cold panniculitis” which is another way of saying inflammation of the fat that is induced by cold temperatures.  Coolsculpting deliberately induces such an effect within fat because after the inflammation subsides the fat is reduced.  Time will result in the resolution of these hard lumps and associated discomfort.  I tend to see my Coolsculpting patients at the 3 month mark for final assessment.  In the meanwhile, massage can be helpful to speed up resolution.  This massage can be performed manually or with devices that are specialized to deliver therapeutic massage.

Brian S. Biesman, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is not uncommon to have some areas of firmness that resolve over time after CoolSculpting.  However, I strongly encourage you to see the physician who performed or oversaw your treatment to ensure that all is normal.  An examination by a skilled professional is always the best way to go!  Best of luck.

Jerome H. Liu, MD · Answer

After CoolSculpting, patients can experience redness, swelling, bruising, and sensitivity of the treatment areas. Firmness is also a normal side-effect and will subside over time. As the body naturally filters the crystallized fat cells, treatment areas will become smoother and fat can be reduced up to 25%! Remember to communicate any concerns to your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

It is not unusual for patients to feel firmness or lumps after Coolsculpting. The area will be tender as well. These typically go away in the first few weeks, but sometimes it takes longer. If you are two months out and still have concerns, see your provider.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This can happen with coolsculpting as it causes inflammation to the area treated and this can feel hard.  This should go away in a few weeks, in the mean time, massage or Venus Legacy/Exilis and cellutone/exilis treatments can help resolve this. Best, Dr. Emer.

Had CoolSculpting done 3 wks ago and I have hard spots all over by belly. Will the rock hard, painful lumps go away?

Answers (9)

Answer: Lumps after Coolsculpting

Answer: Lumps after Coolsculpting

Answer: Hard and Lumpy after Coolsculpting--Add Venus Legacy, Cellutone/Zwave, Massage

Answer: Hard and Lumpy after Coolsculpting--Add Venus Legacy, Cellutone/Zwave, Massage

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Everything you need to know about CoolSculpting

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Had CoolSculpting done 3 wks ago and I have hard spots all over by belly. Will the rock hard, painful lumps go away?

Answers (9)

Answer: Lumps after Coolsculpting

Answer: Lumps after Coolsculpting

Answer: Hard and Lumpy after Coolsculpting--Add Venus Legacy, Cellutone/Zwave, Massage

Answer: Hard and Lumpy after Coolsculpting--Add Venus Legacy, Cellutone/Zwave, Massage

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CoolSculpting

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.