Could exercise and good diet prevent PAH after Coolsculpting?

Question

If I exercise 5 or 6 days a week and eat well after coolsculpting, could that decrease the chance of getting PAH?

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question. Coolscultping as a non-invasive procedure gives you 2-25% reduction in 3 months. This is permanent. It may require an area to have more than 1 treatment, but this is all done while watching tv or working from your computer in our office. PAH is very rare, less than 1%. There aren't any risk factors to look for, but is simply treated with liposuction. The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam. Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery. Best of luck! Dr Schwartz

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

The patented cryolipolysis technique developed by Zeltiq to eliminate unwanted fat bulges is very safe. However, a very rare side effect is paradoxical adipocyte hyperplasia (PAH), in which more not less fat actually develops in the treated area.  I’ve seen this only once in 6 years in which the patient developed a golf ball-sized area of fat after CoolSculpting. We know this tends to occur more commonly in men in the lower abdomen, although it can occur anywhere.  It shows up a few months after CoolSculpting. At the present time, we really don’t know the factors that trigger this side effect, so I cannot tell you how to avoid it.  Fortunately, it is very rare and it is treatable. Should it develop, we can treat it through traditional liposuction, injection or other non-invasive fat removing devices.

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

Although diet and exercise will help you get the best out of your CoolSculpting results, it will not prevent the risk of getting paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). The cause of PAH is unknown. However, it is very very rare. We have done thousands of CoolSculpting treatments and have never seen a true case. Make sure you find an experienced provider to minimize your risks of complications. Best wishes.

Ramandeep Sidhu, MD · Answer

PAH after coolsculpting is very rare and there is no single identifiable cause. Overall good diet and exercise is good to maintain the results of coolsculpting but for PAH since we don't know the exact cause its hard to say if good diet or exercise will prevent that completely. The good thing is its very rare.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

The occurence of PAH is extremely rare and unfortunately the cause is unknown. However, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise before and after Coolsculpting is recommended to get good results. Keep in mind, some people need more than one treatment of Coolsculpting and 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 to improve your final results. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Could exercise and good diet prevent PAH after Coolsculpting?

Answers (9)

Answer: Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia

Answer: Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia

Answer: Coolsculpting and PAH--Add Radiofrequency, Thermage, Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra, VASER, ThermiRF

Answer: Coolsculpting and PAH--Add Radiofrequency, Thermage, Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra, VASER, ThermiRF

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Everything you need to know about CoolSculpting

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Could exercise and good diet prevent PAH after Coolsculpting?

Answers (9)

Answer: Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia

Answer: Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia

Answer: Coolsculpting and PAH--Add Radiofrequency, Thermage, Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra, VASER, ThermiRF

Answer: Coolsculpting and PAH--Add Radiofrequency, Thermage, Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra, VASER, ThermiRF

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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.