CoolSculpting Carried Out by a Nurse Instead of a Doctor - Worried

Coolsculpting is a non-invasive, class 2 device. This means that it is not necessary for a physician to perform the procedure. WHAT IS necessary is that your technician is both adequately trained and experienced. In our practice, our Coolsculpting technicians are nurses or medical aestheticians. Both hold every certification and training possible for this device and procedure, possess natural talent for aesthetic artistry, and understand human anatomy on a medical level.Researching your technician, and their level of experience, is paramount in ensuring excellent results. The Coolsculpting department of the facility you are considering should easily be able to answer all of your questions, walk you through the procedure and processes, as well as provide excellent references with before and after photographs of previous patients.The side effects you are experiencing can present themselves after Coolsculpting, and would be considered normal. Symmetry of your ultimate results cannot be determined by bruises left from the device. In our patients who experience more severe nerve pain (approximately 2%) we would prescribe a nerve blocking agent, such as Lyrica or Neurontin. I advise you to contact your provider and see what they recommend for comfort.

Normal side effects after CoolSculpting can include tenderness, swelling, bruising, numbness, itching, burning, and skin sensitivity. These symptoms normally resolve anywhere from 1-2 weeks. These side effects can occur regardless of who performs the treatment. Anyone who provides CoolSculpting treatments are certified through the Zeltiq training program. This ensures that you are getting proper treatment. If you have concerns with your treatment you should consult with your provider so that they may evaluate you.

Different states may have different regulations as to who can treat patients with lasers, and other non-laser devices such as Zeltiq's CoolSculpting.  In my NYC office, we have taken the extra effort to become a certified CoolSculpting practice. I, or another physician, first sees the patient in consultation and then if it is determined that the CoolSculpting is indicated, I will determine which applicator is needed per area of treatment. 

The symptoms and signs you mention are not unheard of and should recover spontaneously, but this may take a different number of weeks in different people. If there is no short term improvement then please call the practice that did the treatment for the physician to examine you.

Thank you for your question. Yes, it is common to have some swelling, numbness, bruising and tenderness after Coolsculpting treatment and typically resolves in a few weeks. Typically, patients start to see results in about a month with maximum results around three months. If you have any other concerns please follow up with your treating physician. Best of Luck! ­­­­

What you are mentioning sound like normal side effects after a Coolsculpting  treatment. Swelling can last up to 2 weeks and normally bruises take around 7-10 day to heal.  Additionally it is not uncommon for nurses or medical aestheticians to perform Coolsculpting in a physicians office.  Good luck with your continued transformation.

Coolsculpting is a class 2 device which means that the treatment requires physician supervision. The definition of physician supervision varies from state to state, and is applied differently in each area. For us, I am directly involved with the examination, consultation, marking, pre treatment preparation and the post treatment evaluation. My nurse may be the person who may initiate the cooling process but only under my direct supervision.

The placement of the device is based on exam and markings!Body
reshaping can be performed with a cannula that removes fat via liposuction or
with noninvasive technology like Cool Sculpting. With Cool Sculpting there is no cannula
inserted into your body. All treatments
are performed on the surface from the outside in using technology that freezes
the fat. Don’t hesitate to give us a
call in Austin regarding a Body Reshaping Consult at the Upper Room. On our Facebook Page there is an Interview I
recently did with KVUE, a local news station in Austin, that was picked by
affiliates around the United States, including Miami. During the Interview we discussed the
technology of Cool Sculpting as well as it application process.



The discomfort from treatment does resolve. Taking
over the counter tylenol or naproxen resolves this in the majority of cases.
If you have swelling that is persistent then a waist binder is helpful.

Thank you for your question.

The symptoms that you are experiencing is common for some patients who have undergone CoolSculpting treatments.  Patients experience these symptoms whether the procedure is performed by the doctor or another staff in the office.  The company does come out and train staff members to perform this procedure so it is OK that a nurse performed the procedure on you.... really, the machine does most (if not all) of the work.

These symptoms should subside within a couple of weeks.  If you have concerns, call the office and set up a time to go in and be seen.

Best Wishes!

i evaluate all of my coolsculpting patients personally.  some are better candidates for liposuction, other better candidates for an excisional surgery ie tummy tuck.  as far as performing the procedure, as long as the correct area is properly targeted, i do believe this can be safely performed by a nurse or other medical staff.  swelling and bruising are normal as this device truly does target tissue!

It is very common to experience numbness, "pins and needles" sensations, cramping, and mild pain following a Zeltiq procedure, regardless of whom applied the device. Over 85% of patients will experience one of the above mentioned symptoms. Usually these symptoms last about 1-2 weeks. Some of my patients have found an over the counter menthol based cream called Sarna lotion to be soothing to the treated area. However, if the pain and symptoms are severe, please contact your provider.

Swelling is common after the treatment as you are healing and some patients prefer to wear loser fitting clothes for the first few weeks after coolsculpting. Bruising varies from patient to patient and application to application, but most bruising will resolve in 1-3 weeks.

There are variations in policies between offices for whom performs the consultation, mapping of the treatment areas, and placement of the coolsculpting applicator. In our office, only the physician performs consultation, mapping, and procedure.