Could exercise and good diet prevent PAH after Coolsculpting?

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

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.  

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.