What can be expected from the first SculpSure treatment?

I had two SculpSure treatments for my abdominal area.  I had lost some weight through diet and exercise but this stubborn area of fat was difficult to reduce.  My philosophy is that in order to be able to tell my patients what something feels like, if appropriate, I try to experience it myself.  
During treatment here is what I experienced: 
1) Just prior to a feeling of heat, I experienced some cramping in the treatment area for 5-10 seconds.   I would say that the cramping was similar to that experienced by women having menstrual cramps. My female patients who have had the procedure agreed with me on this.   While the cramping was uncomfortable, it was tolerable. 
2) After the cramping sensation, I experienced a wave of heat, as if I were standing with my abdomen close to a hot oven.  During this time (only about 20 seconds), I "went with" the sensation, rather than fighting against it, if you know what I mean.  I thought about how the heat was destroying my fat cells and that it would be a success and that it would be over shortly.  Having a nice view out the window and some nice spa music playing was helpful.  I also had a fan blowing air at me. Just as I thought the heat was getting to be to the point where I didn't want it to continue, the heat sensation ended.  I then felt a cooling sensation for five seconds.  
This cycle of heating followed by cooling went on for the entire procedure (25 minutes) and before I knew it, the treatment was finished.
I purposely had the technician set the power at the maximal level in order to feel what that was like. I really couldn't tell that much of a difference between the initial setting and the maximal setting although increasing it gradually was probably helpful as opposed to increasing it all at once. 
During the treatment I was not really interested in talking to anyone or texting anyone or watching a show on my phone.  However, I have had many patients who have no problems having a conversation or playing games on their phones.  I think for most people as long as the atmosphere in the room is pleasant (music, aromatherapy, nice lighting, nice view out the window), any discomfort experienced is mild and completely manageable.  
It is easy enough to have the treatment adjusted to your comfort level, so just tell the technician if you feel that the power level should be decreased.   However, ideally you should try your best to tolerate some mild cramping and intense heat, so that the procedure is as successful as possible for you.  
As far as discomfort following the procedure, there is really not much to speak of. I did not need to take any ibuprofen or use ice packs or anything like that. After about one week, I felt some nodules of destroyed fat in the treatment area when massaging the area. These nodules were mildly tender, kind of like a muscle feels if you bruise it.   So I was aware of these nodules from time to time during the day, but certainly it was not a constant feeling and it was not painful.  Very mild discomfort at most.  For me this lasted about 4 weeks total, gradually diminishing.  By the time of my 2nd treatment (at 6 weeks), any nodules and discomfort had completely resolved.     My 2nd treatment was less uncomfortable during the procedure and after the procedure. 

SculpSure begins with a cool blast to the surface of the skin to start the tissue preparation. The next four minutes consist of a cooling and heating of the fat cells in the treatment area.  During this period, the technician is assessing the comfort level of the patient.  This is done with a zone scale from 1-4 with 4 being the fat destruction zone.  At zone 4, the patient should be experiencing longer peaks of moderate deep warmth and cooling but not pain.  The settings are adjusted based on patient feedback regarding the zone scale.  The next 21 minutes consist of periods of heating and cooling of the fat cells.  Our patients have reported one or more of the following:   no pain, deep warmth, the sensation of an ice pack and mild cramping.  Immediately post treatment, the skin may be a little red but no pain or discomfort reported.  Some patients have reported mild soreness on day 3-7 post treatment.  Overall, patients have described SculpSure as extremely tolerable and would do it again!

Average patient discomfort was 3.7 on a scale of 10 for the SculpSure treatment.  Afterwards you can expect some mild tenderness, redness and swelling. It's very tolerable, and people who have had both Coolsculpting and and Sculpsure have reported being much more comfortable afterwards than with Coolsculpting.

Treatment session per area is approximately 25 minutes.  Having had the treatment myself, I can say that the treatment consists of moments of alternating heating and cooling.  Some patients have reported soreness similar to what they would feel after working out at the gym. Others report no soreness post-treatment.  No downtime, meaning that patients are able to resume normal activities immediately.  

The vast majority of patients who have this treatment have mild to minimal discomfort, which cycles with the heating and cooling of the pads. I have personally had the treatment and I can assure you that the pain level was very tolerable.

Sculpsure treatments are very easy!  I've been performing Sculpsure since it was first introduced and was one of the first to have it available in New Jersey.  Once the applicators are place on the area to be treated the process begins.  You'll immediately feel a cooling sensation as the pods begin to work and slowly increase the amount of laser energy going to the fat cells.  As you progress through the treatment you will typically feel waves of warmth and cooling.  Sculpsure is constantly cooling the skin at all times while applying the heat at intervals for comfort.  You want to have the heat at a level where you feel some tingling but not pain so that you can get maximal effectiveness from the treatment.  After about 25 minutes, the applicators are removed and you're completely done!Some people may have some very slight swelling afterwards for about 1-3 weeks but it seems uncommon and barely noticeable when it occurs.  Some have some tingling afterwards for a short period of time but again, very uncommon.  Some will experience nodules that quickly dissipate during the 2-4 week time frame, and again this is very uncommon.  All of these things resolve on their own - making this one of the easiest treatments available in the non-invasive area that is extremely effective.

Hello, Thank you for your recent question! SculpSure is a very comfortable procedure. While the device is on you will experience a deep tingling warmth followed by a cool blast to cool the area down just as it gets warm. After the treatment is finished you will not feel any discomfort immediately following. The next few days to a week you could feel a very mild tenderness just as you worked out a muscle hard in the gym.  Best of Luck with your SculpSure treatment! 

Many non-invasive fat reduction technologies have gotten the
reputation of being very uncomfortable during or after treatment. SculpSure is
different.

We’ve treated 10 patients over the past 2 weeks, and everyone
has had about the same reaction: you’re going to feel a warming sensation, but
it’s not painful. If you find a particular spot has warmed to an uncomfortable
level, the nurse is able to adjust the treatment in that area, by turning down
the laser on that panel. A warmer treatment is not necessarily a more effective
treatment, so do let the nurse know if you’re feeling too warm in certain spot.
For the few patients who have asked for the laser intensity to be adjusted, the
correction has been quick and the treatment has been comfortable from that point
on.

In studies, patients indicated an average 3/10 level of
discomfort. You will feel it working, but it won’t be painful.

Our office prides itself on being early adopters of the most
effective treatments. That’s why we were the very first office in the world to
own a SculpSure machine. We LOVE this technology because it’s fast,
comfortable, and effective – everything our patients ask for!

I suggest you schedule a consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. You would enjoy seeing the laser technology yourself. SculpSure is the only FDA-approved laser to provide the
quickest treatment (25-minutes) and easiest recovery (none). Patients complete
the treatment and walk out of our office ready to resume their ordinary
activities.SculpSure is a painless treatment. While the laser disrupts
adipose tissue with heat, the laser comforts the surface emitting a
continuously cooling contact for your calmness. SculpSure treats all skin types
(I-VI) and focuses on your abdomen and flanks.

I appreciate your question.There is some pain associated but its typically not that bad.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