Normal to have delayed onset swelling? I had coolsculpting done on my lower abdomen.

Question

I had it with new applicator and Z-wave. Didn't have any pain/bruising or even swelling for the first few days. It's day 4 now, and still no pain but my stomach looks super bloated and it's quite firm. Is this caused by the procedure? Also, should I be worried that I didn't experience any pain or bruising? I didn't have much fat to begin with, but she said my skin was stretchy and good for this procedure.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Swelling is a common side effect and can be experienced for 2-3 weeks post-treatment. You should not be worried about not experiencing swelling or bruising. This does not indicate that the treatment didn't work.Regards,

Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It generally takes about 2-3 weeks for the swelling and bloating to subside. The intermittent discomfort tends to subside quicker than the swelling. If the swelling does not improve, I recommend scheduling a follow-up visit with your Coolsculpting  specialist.

Robert Heck, MD, FACS · Answer

Using the cool advantage applicators and Z wave after sounds normal for you to feel swollen and bloated. We find that this subsides in 1-2 weeks at most in our clients. You don't have to bruised, have pain or discomfort for it to "work" Best of luck!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you can experience some swelling, which can last for several weeks after your procedure. Venus Legacy treatments and lymphatic massage can give improvement. If it persists, I recommend following up with your Doctor for a formal evaluation.  It will take about 3-6 months to see your final results. 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. VASER with ThermiRF is a great alternative. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is common to have some swelling after Coolsculpting treatment which can last up to a month. Some other common side effects include bruising, numbness and tenderness. Please remember it can take 3-4 months to see results after treatment. I recommend addressing any concerns you may have with your treating physician. Best of Luck!

Lee B. Daniel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It’s common for swelling after any procedure to get worse before it gets better, so the swelling you describe doesn’t sound unusual. Swelling after CoolSculpting® can take several weeks to subside and your final results may take up to 6 months to fully develop. It’s great that you didn’t experience much discomfort during your treatment, and not everyone does develop bruising, so I wouldn’t worry about your results just yet. Stay patient and give yourself more time. Remember that most people see the best results from a series of treatments.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Not every patient will have pain and bruising after Coolsculpting treatment. Also, symptoms following treatment are not an indication of efficacy, or will affect your results. It is normal to have bloating after treatment and can last up to a few weeks. If you have any concerns please follow up with your treating physician. Best of Luck!

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

The new applicators are designed to  have less suction so there will be less pain and bruising. Swelling is common after CoolSculpting. If it is really uncomfortable, wearing a compression may relieve some of the discomfort.  The swelling will eventually subside but if you its still concerning then follow up with your doctor.

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

Hi cgmason, thank you for your great question.  CoolSculpting has been around for a few years now, and has undergone some serious improvements regarding comfort levels both during and after treatment. In the past, the earlier versions of treatment applicators took and hour to treat and were much more pinchy and uncomfortable.  Post treatment with the earlier applicators, many patients complained of late onset pain that usually started around the 5th or 6th day post treatment and lasted about a week. As you know, the newest applicators take from 35-45 minutes to treat, are very comfortable and, best of all, rarely cause any late onset pain.  You made a good choice being treated with the newest applicators.  The swelling you describe is normal and actually necessary to the success of the treatment.  The area that was treated gets swollen, because the body is flooding that area with fluids to carry away the dead fat cells. After a bout 2-3 weeks, the swelling should subside.  Bruising is absolutely not required for good results.  Some patients are simply more sensitive and prone to bruising.  Additionally, the newer applicators are much less likely to cause bruising, because the suction is not as intense.  I hope this information is helpful to you.  Good luck with your CoolSculpting journey!

Alain Michon, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Not all patients will have pain or bruising following Coolsculpting treatments and symptoms following the procedure are not an indication of efficacy, nor it will affect results. Bloating is considered normal following the procedure and can last up to a few weeks. Adding the Zimmer Z wave to the procedure has many benefits, including less discomfort and a faster recovery time. I hope this helps. All the best, Dr. Michon

Normal to have delayed onset swelling? I had coolsculpting done on my lower abdomen.

Answers (11)

More CoolSculpting Questions

No Results After 1st CoolSculpting Session. (photos)

How much fat, percentage-wise, can I expect to lose from CoolSculpting? (photos)

47 yr old male, possible PAH after CoolSculpting? 3 weeks post. Please help.

CoolSculpting and small diastasis recti. Is it a contraindication (Photo)

Is it normal to have diarrhea after CoolSculpting?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS