CoolSculpting after c-section, how long should I wait?

Hi Nicole. We do a lot of CoolSculpting on patients who have had C-sections. Generally we recommend waiting between 3-6 months after a C-section and until you are no longer breastfeeding before proceeding with CoolSculpting. I would also recommend an in-person physical examination to make sure there are no issues in the area of your incision and treatment. This should be done by a physician and not a nurse or a tech. The device will not create stretch marks or harm the abdominal wall muscles. Only the fat layer is affected. Make sure you find an experienced provider. Best wishes.

Wait until you are well healed, at least 6-12 months. Have your treating physician check to be sure there are no hernias in the treatment area. I do not treat post partal mothers if still nursing their new addition. It will not cause stretch marks or effect muscles. Best Wishes, Maurice Vick MD

It is possible to have Coolsculpting after C-section. Waiting about 12 months is typical prior to treatment. This allows patients to return to their stable prepregnancy weight and allows time for the scar to heal. Screening for abdominal hernia should also be performed prior to treatment. Stretch marks should not occur with treatment. The Coolsculpting treatment typically does not alter the elasticity of the skin- it neither helps nor harms stretch marks/loose skin. Only the fat should be treated during Coolsculpting and assessment should be made by a physician given your history. 

Hi Nicoleasdf,
Yes, Coolsculpting can be safely performed after c-section without creating stretch marks. You should wait until all your incisions have healed and your body has recovered from the pregnancy to get best results. This can take several months. Naturally, a thorough history and physical followed by a clear understanding of your goals would guide my recommendation. Generally, if your body has already returned back to normal except a few stubborn spots, Coolsculpting is an excellent form of non-invasive fat reduction. You should see results within 2 months and typically 1-3 treatments lasting around 35 minutes will be necessary on each area to achieve the desired effect depending on your preference. The device won't hurt your muscle or your skin. There may be temporary skin changes such as redness, swelling, bruising, or skin sensitivity at the treatment site which resolve within 1-2 weeks. It specifically targets the fat, and there is no downtime. Congratulations on the new baby, and I wish you the best!
Sincerely,
Omar Hussain, MD

you should wait a minimum of 6 months.  or you should consider no coolsculpting which is contraindicated over hernia repairs particularly the 4 applicators which literally suck the skin into a device with surrounding walls which freeze the fat, as the suction could undo your rectus fascia repair and even worse could traumatize intestine or omentum.  you could however have sculpsure done as the 4 applicators fit flatly on the skin and cools the skin surface while sending laser energy into the fat programming about 25 percent of the fat cells to die off and be scavenged by the lymphatic system.