How Can I Get Relief from This Severe Pain I'm Experiencing After Coolsculpting?

It is not uncommon to have delayed onset pain after a Coolsculpting procedure.  This pain is more commonly experienced with abdominal Coolsculpting.  It starts 3-5 days after the procedure and can last 10 days or so.  This pain is nerve based and is best treated with Neurontin.  Ask your physician to prescribe you som

Best of luck,

Sheila Nazarian

There are rare patients that demonstrate severe pain after coolSculting for fat reduction.This is self-limiting but can take a few weeks. Some doctors report good results with a prescription medication, Lyrica, as an off-label use. This must be discussed with your doctor to determine if  you're a candidate and discuss the risks in consideration of your medical history and concurrent medications.

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs.

What you are describing is a normal side effect when treating the abdomen with CoolSculpting.  Patients may experience discomfort from mild to severe levels of intensity.  Many practices report prescribing a non-narcotic nerve blocker for this specific sensation.  Medications are not required for CoolSculpting and this uncomfortable sensation you have is temporary.  My practice offers CoolSculpting Complete which includes a compression garment for patient comfort.  Compression may relieve or eliminate the undesirable side effects following CoolSculpting.  CoolSculpting Complete is a complimentary package that my patients enjoy.  Along with compression garments, it also includes dual machines for faster treatment, and vibrational therapy to speed the elimination of fat cells through the lymphatic system.  As the top provider of CoolSculpting in my region, patients at my practice receive Instant Rebates for free CoolSculpting with each session purchased.

Though it is a small percentage of Coolsculpting patients that experience significant pain, it does happen.  It generally begins after 3-4 days.  It is important that you follow up with the office that treated you, especially if you are not finding relief from OTC medications and NSAIDs.  The good news is that this pain will resolve. We've not have had anyone not recover completely.  Some patients find relief from wearing a tight fitting garment or compression garment (something like spanx or a girdle).  Try ice or hot compresses in the area as well. (some patients definitely prefer one over the other) 

Good luck. Hang in there. Definitely follow up with your treating physician.

I am sorry to hear about what you are experiencing. Yes, this does happen to a small percentage of patients and it should subside in about a week.

Try OTC pain medication, topical pain rubs and/or numbing creams.

Hopefully you will be very happy with your results and forget the 2 weeks of pain.

Best wishes.

It sounds like you are having refractory pain which happens in 12% of post-procedure Cool Sculpt patients.  The good news is -  it will go away at about day 14 or so. The bad news is you have about 7 more days.  I had the same thing and nothing seems to make it better. I have had my patients try BioFreeze which is a over the counter topical which seems to help.  I typically send my patients home with a few pain pills and sleeping pills to try in the event that they are miserable. Typically nothing is needed, but every so often I get a patient like you and I try to keep them comfortable. 

It's hard to believe when you are miserable - but I would do it again and I couldn't be happier.

Hang in there,

Jennifer Harrington MD