Zeltiq CoolSculpting - Pain, Bruising, Risks?

Great questions!  Coolsculpting is one of the few things on the body contouring market that actually works!  It's been around for a while and has proven results with many studies to back it up.  The procedure is easier than other nonsurgical procedures such as lasers and ultherapy.  The suction cup comes in different sizes depending on the person's body habitus.  I've had 11 cycles so far personally and I sat in front of the television and watched a movie.  There really isn't any pain except for the cold sensation right when the suction cup goes on.  Bruising is not common but I've had a few patients with thinner skin bruise some.  The hardest part about coolscultping is waiting the 3-12 weeks to see the results.  

Coolsculpting is a non-invasive procedure that is typically well tolerated and isn’t likely to cause any major safety concerns. The most common reports of discomfort often come after the procedure, when patients may feel some numbness from the cold and a pins and needles tingling as the area warms back up. The lower abdomen tends to be the most pain prone, and can cause some soreness or cramping in the days following the treatment. There should be little, if any, bruising, though patients with thinner skin are more sensitive

Thank you for your question. Every patient has a different experience when it comes to post treatment discomfort so it is hard to say without seeing you in person. With that being said, it may be comforting to know that typically the discomfort and irritation post treatment will go away usually after a couple of weeks. I recommend contacting your original treatment provider directly to see if they can recommend using a compress for three to five days or administer some anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication to help alleviate discomfort. I have included a helpful video for more useful information regarding what to expect after receiving a CoolSculpting treatment below. Best of luck to you!

Although Coolsculpting is a non surgical procedure, it can cause the following side effects.
1. The suction accompanied by older applicators are much higher than the new applicators . Therefore the old applicators can cause bruising, can be more painful, and the post procedure neuropathic pain symptoms such as tingling, numbness is much higher compared to Cool-advantage applicators. The degree of discomfort depends upon the area, total number of treatments and the individual pain tolerance.
2. The discomfort with large applicators are much more than smaller applicators.
3. The risk of long term nerve damage is unknown.
4. The incidence of Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia is extremely rare and can be treated by liposuction.

The most common side effect after a Coolsculpting procedure is mild swelling and numbness over the treated area.  This usually subsides after a few days and does not cause significant discomfort in the majority of patients.  Occasionally, a more sever type of pain can occur, which is neurogenic in nature, and can be treated with Neurontin if the pain persists.  With the introduction of the new Cool Advantage applicators we have seen much less of these type of post Coolsculpting reactions, because the new applicator works without putting as much suction on the tissue.  It does seem to occur more commonly with the larger applicator vs the smaller, but again it is very infrequent now with the new applicators.  There can also be some minimal bruising post Coolsculpting as there is suction being applied to the treatment area, but if you do not bruise easily you most probably will not bruise from a Coolscupting procedure.  Patients on Aspirin or other blood thinners would be at higher risk for bruising post Coolsculpting, so if possible it is best to stop those for a few days before getting Coolsculpting.
Thank you for the question.
Best,
Dr. Flashner 

Hello and thank-you for your questionCoolSculpting is a great, FDA-approved treatment for fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks. Coolsculpting relies on Cryolipolysis due to the fact that fat cells are more sensitive to cold than are other tissues. We utilize the new Cool Advantage applicators which are much more comfortable and reduce treatment time to 35 minutes.  We currently have 4 Coolsculpting machines and can offer "Dual Sculpting" which further reduces the treatment time.  It can be used safely for off-label treatment of the upper arms, inner/outer thighs, bra-strap area, chin, and above the knees. The advance cooling technology selectively targets and eliminates fat cells gently and gradually without affecting the surrounding tissue. Patients in our office have seen an average fat reduction of 20-25% with each treatment. Depending on the patient's body composition and outcome goals, it generally takes more than one treatment to achieve optimal results. A second treatment is general scheduled 30 to 45 days after the initial treatment. It takes about 2-3 months to get a general idea of the final results. The results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable healthy lifestyle. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon well versed in all aspects of body contouring to determine if your an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting.Best regards,

The FDA approved procedure of CoolSculpting
takes advantage of cryolipolysis which describes the targeted destruction of
fat cells through cold temperatures. Fat cells experience injury through
cooling leading to permanent removal of these susceptible cells. Numbness,
redness, swelling and bruising are not uncommon after a treatment but resolve
over short period. You should consult the Zeltiq website to find a qualified facility.

Since I first started using CoolSculpting at my
practice in Atlanta, Georgia, it quickly became one of the most popular
non-surgical treatments among my patients. The majority of women and men who
undergo CoolSculpting to reduce pockets of fat find the procedure comfortable
and return immediately to their normal daily activities once they leave my
office. Some patients describe a tugging or pulling sensation at the beginning
of the procedure, and swelling, bruising, redness, and numbness are common but
temporary side effects. The bottom line is CoolSculpting is cleared by the FDA,
has been performed worldwide millions of times, and is considered a safe and
effective procedure.

It is not uncommon to have bruising, swelling and 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
some.
Best of luck,
Sheila Nazarian

Cool sculpting isn't painful to most.  About 15% find it painful. Bruising is sporadic. If you bruise easily, you'll probably bruise. Complications are rare.  Much safer than surgery. It's been studied for surgery and efficacy.