Can CoolSculpting cause vagus nerve damage?

No, it is unlikely that Coolsculpting caused damage to your vagus nerve. Coolsculpting is more superficial than where the vagus nerve is located. If it persists, I recommend following up with your Doctor. Best, Dr. Emer

I do not believe that CoolSculpting could cause any vagus nerve damage.  The CoolSculpting applicator draws in the skin and fat, but nothing below those layers.  The vagus nerve is much deeper and would not have been affected.  

Thank you for your question. While the vagus nerve does run into the abdomen, the CoolSculpting treatment does not penetrate deeply enough to cause any damage - either to the vagus nerve or the deeper organs such as the stomach or intestines. Additionally, any side effects related to CoolSculpting would not have persisted for two years. If you are still having issues, I recommend seeing a specialist to ensure you are properly diagnosed and treated. Good luck, and hopefully your health will improve.

The vagus nerve is 1 of 12 cranial nerves. It courses deep in the intraabdominal area behind the abdominal musculature. It is too deep to be affected by coolscultping. The hypoglossal nerve is also a cranial nerve which controls the tongue. This is superficial and can be affected with neck ( double chin)  coolscultping (though it’s a very rare side effect). When it is affected , it is a temporary issue for a few hours that the tongue may deviate to the left or right side and fully resolves. So  1) the vagus nerve is too deep to be affected and 2) when a cranial nerve is affected it is immediate & only temporary affected withl full resolution 

Interesting question. It is not unusual for patients to experience temporary discomfort and swelling in the area where CoolSculpting was performed. However, intestinal problems 2 years later are totally unrelated to the CoolSculpting treatment since the cold induced by the CoolSculpting treatment does not go deep enough to affect structures below the abdominal muscles such as the vagus nerve, stomach, and intestines. 

This is an unusual sequelae of CoolSculpting.  Be sure that you do not have an umbilical or other type of hernia. Consider eating food with more fiber, like steel cut oats (gluten free).  Also consider taking probiotics and going on a gluten and refined sugar free diet.  All the best to you in finding a solution.  Alexis Parker MD