CoolSculpting indentations - how can I fix them? Can the individual who administered the treatment be held liable for the cost?

Question

I got CoolSculpting on my hips and outer thighs ~1 year ago via 2 different applicators, w/ the strongest one available being used on my thighs. While there was no visible change to my hips, there are very defined indentation marks that are not only gray in color, but also incredibly embarrassing and painful (both alone and when pressure is applied). They said I am a hyper-responder but, if so, shouldn't my hips have issues too? Should I be concerned about the pain? Help!

Hung William Song, MD · Answer

Although you can get indentations and ledging from Coolsculpting, the very discrete indentation you have in the photograph is not what we typically see with this treatment. You should ask your provider to report this to the company. Make sure that you did, in fact, receive an actual Coolsculpting® treatment and not some counterfeit treatment.  If your provider used a counterfeit device and represented it as a Coolsculpting® treatment, there may be some liability.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting has risks and consent forms are signed stating those risks, so there is no liability here unless there was malpractice. to fix indentations -- fillers, Sculptra, revunva, and body treatments like Exilis, Venus legacy, Inmode forma can all be tried.  I suggest you see an expert.If you have small problem areas you can use non invasive methods like coolsculpting with vanquish to get small areas of fat reduced.  Skin also tightens if you combine this with exilis ultra or venus legacy radiofrequency treatments.  You boost the results from coolsculpting if you add in radiofrequency.  We also combine coolsculpting with radiofrequency and shock therapy like Z wave and cellutone to get even faster results, more improvement, and less risk of combinations like nodules, swelling, neuropathy or paradoxical hyperplasia.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

Sorry to hear about your CoolSculpting experience. There are inherent risks associated with any procedure and these should have been discussed with you by your treatment provider. We discuss all possible risks with our patients and they are all listed on our consent forms. Looking at your pictures, if you had come into my office I would not have treated your outer thighs as there does not appear to be enough fat there for treatment. This may be why you are left with indentations. There should be no pain after the treatment. I would raise your concerns with your providing physician and make sure you were treated with an actual CoolSculpting device and not a Chinese knock off. Best wishes.

Jennifer Greer, MD · Answer

Indentations and contour irregularities are a risk of any type of fat removal, from CoolSculpting to liposuction. In a similar case I might offer fat grafting to help smooth the contour. This may or may not improve the discoloration as well. Whether your doctor can be held liable is a legal question, and thus not one I can answer. I am sorry you are going through this.

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you fr your question! There are inherent risks associated with any procedure and these should have been discussed with you by your treatment provider. We discuss all possible risks with our patients and they are all listed on our consent forms. Looking at your pictures, if you had come into my office I would not have treated your outer thighs as there does not appear to be enough fat there for treatment. This may be why you are left with indentations. There should be no pain after the treatment. I would raise your concerns with your providing physician and make sure you were treated with an actual CoolSculpting device and not a Chinese knock off.  Best of luck!

Benjamin Gonzalez, MD · Answer

Unfortunately the "shark bite" indentation appearance is one of the possibilities with Coolsculpting. Indentations is one of the possibilities noted in the consent form you signed. Outer thigh treatments can be a rewarding area to treat. I prefer the laser heat energy treatment of SculpSure which allows for a more smooth appearance and avoids the "shark bite" appearance. SculpSure laser energy treatments permanently kills the fat and provides a smoother edging in the area treated. There are ways to improve the overall look including ultrasound or Radio Frequency treatments. The persistent pain you feel is concerning and your provider is correct in saying you may be a "hyper-responder." However, I would seek a provider experienced in post procedure chronic pain issues. There may be some basic and simple things to improve that issue. I am sorry for your experience and hope you improve overall soon!

CoolSculpting indentations - how can I fix them? Can the individual who administered the treatment be held liable for the cost?

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