No numbness or pain post CoolSculpting session - is this normal?

Question

I have slight swelling and redness but no numbness or pain!

David L. Kaufman, MD FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. While temporary numbness and discomfort are potential side effects of CoolSculpting® treatments, not everyone experiences them. That said, it’s unclear from your post when you had your treatment done. Sometimes, slight soreness sets in around 5 days after the treatment. Your current swelling and redness should subside over the next few days. Best of luck with your results!

William Groff, DO · Answer

Every patient's nervous system is slightly different and therefore sensations of pain and discomfort can vary. Whereas most CoolScupting patients will feel a slight soreness or numbness after the procedure, many do not. It is perfectly normal to be pain-free and will have no affect on your results. Be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist who is certified by Zeltiq for all of your CoolSculpting sessions.

Janet Allenby, DO · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question.  With the new CoolAdvantage hand pieces patients have had a much more pleasant experience. There is less downtime and pain. The location you treat can also effect your downtime. Some areas have no discomfort at all. Congratulations on your treatment, and good luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Yes, it is perfectly normal to not experience any numbness or pain. This does not reflect the effectiveness of your treatment. Regards,

Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Temporary numbness is common after the Coolsculpting.  It is not uncommon to have delayed onset of pain around 5 days after Coolsculpting.  The discomfort is due to inflammation of the tissue. Not everyone has pain or numbness.  The intermittent discomfort tends to subside within a week. It generally takes couple of weeks for the swelling  subside. The numbness can take longer to resolve, especially with the larger abdominal Cool Max applicator.  I do recommend compression for at least 3 weeks or until the numbness has resolved.  We utilize the new Cool Advantage applicators which are much more comfortable and reduce treatment time to 35 minutes.  We currently have 4 Coolsculpting machines and can offer "Dual Sculpting" which further reduces the treatment time.  I recommend keeping in touch with the office of your treating provider and regular follow-up.  Best wishes

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Every patient is different when it comes to post procedure symptoms.  Some patients will have immediate pain and numbness, while others experience late onset pain. In some cases no pain or numbness is experienced at all.  Make sure to follow up with the provider that administered the procedure 30 days for a medical follow up and reapplication if desired, and then 90 days for your before and after photos for comparison.  Warm Regards,

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

New Coolsculpting technology is meant to be more comfortable for the patient, so lack of pain or numbness doesn't mean you won't have good results. For best results with Coolsculpting, I recommend a combination approach. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. Vaser with ThermiRF is an alternative. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is no reason to be alarmed if you do not seem to be experiencing any pain or numbness, this is because everyone’s body responds differently to treatment. However, it is possible in the next few days that you could experience some delayed discomfort, tingling, and numbness which will resolve on its own. I recommend having a follow up with your treating physician to address any concerns you may have. Best of Luck!

Jennifer Harrington, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your CoolSculpting® session! Since everyone's body will respond slightly differently to treatment, don't be alarmed if you don’t seem to be experiencing any pain or numbness. That said, it is possible that you could experience some delayed discomfort, numbness or a tingling sensation within the next few days, but these side effects are generally mild and should gradually fade away on their own. If you have any questions about your treatment as your body continues to heal, don't hesitate to check in with your plastic surgeon.

Vincent A Marino, MD · Answer

The amazing thing about CoolSculpting is that it is an incredibly safe, virtually pain free procedure. Many of our patients go about their regular daily activities immediately after the procedure with no discomfort whatsoever.
This is not a "no pain, no gain" scenario. The treatment is still incredibly effective, even if you don't experience some of the common side effects.
Congratulations on your successful pain-free treatment.