Do I have PAH in my inner thigh post cool sculpting ? Can PAH explain a persons' increase in weight?

Question

The area is definitely not smaller.I remember that 2 days after CS my my inner thighs looked bigger, I thought it was just swelling and my provider said to wait 8 weeks to start seeing results. At the Fup my weight has increased by 11LBS from 101LBS to 112,although i have been eating less and exercising everyday.My thighs look as big as 2 days post op so i don't understand where these LBS comes from besides my inner thigh since no where else on my body has there been an increase in size.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to give you advice without seeing photos or examining you in person. However, you would not gain 11 pounds from PAH as it causes the increase of fat in a treated area. Some swelling is common after treatment and can last a few weeks. I recommend having a follow up with your treating physician for an evaluation. Best of Luck!

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

PAH, or Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia, is an extremely rare occurance that only about 1 in thousands will experience.  Basically, the patient who gets PAH will see an increase rather than decrease in the amount of fat in the treated area.  Usually, this "extra" fat will form in the exact shape of the Applicator that was used.  The fat tissue will be rather hard and fibrous as well. This extra fat tissue would not at any significant weight, and certainly not 11 pounds.
The post treatment swelling that you describe is perfectly normal and is actually a necessary part of the transformation process, which involves removal of the dead fat cells by the lymphatic drainage system.  This swelling would not ever be part of the PAH process, if one were to experience that.  
You may want to see your physician for more accurate answers regarding your weight gain. From what you describe, it would not appear that Coolsculpting is the culprit.

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

The significant part of your outcome is that you gained 11 pounds. All results from Coolsculpting will be nullified having gained this much weight. Coolsculpting does not cause weight gain. PAH is a localized increase in the fat in the area treated. It doesn't cause a change in your weight. Swelling is expected after Coolsculpting and this does not lead to PAH. PAH is extremely rare, about 1:10,000 treatments.

Drew Varano, MD · Answer

It is hard to say without before and after photos , but even if that was case you will not gain 11 lbs from PAH . PAH causes very little to no change in weight just an increase size . Gaining 11 lbs in 2 months maybe cause for another medical issue if you have maintained normal diet and exercise regime

Do I have PAH in my inner thigh post cool sculpting ? Can PAH explain a persons' increase in weight?

Answers (4)

Answer: PAH

Answer: PAH

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Do I have PAH in my inner thigh post cool sculpting ? Can PAH explain a persons' increase in weight?

Answers (4)

Answer: PAH

Answer: PAH

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Everything you need to know about CoolSculpting

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