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*Treatment results may vary
Ok, so I had my second session three days…
Ok, so I had my second session three days ago, where we treated my upper tummy (two cycles), and the remaining left lower tummy (1 cycle), so 3hrs being sucked by that machine!
On the day of the session, not only did I have my full day of periods, but I was also suffering a second day of those dreaded 'nerve pains', which appeared on the 4th day after the first session and grew in intensity, being quite strong (pain level 6-7) on the days 5 and 6. It's actually NOT real nerve pain, even though some posts here talk about delayed onset neuralgia, because it doesn't actually affect the nerves. What this delayed onset pain is, is that it's the *fat cells healing themselves*. Imagine if you fell on asphalt and got very deep asphalt wounds, which then itch, throb and scab over the next days? It's sort of the same: I feel a deep itch which I can't stratch, coupled with feeling of sharp needle-like pains inside my tummy, and occasional aching. At times the sharp pains were quite intense (bordering on 7-8), but they passed quickly. Paracetamol + ibuprofein + codeine combo seemed to work, and I also put some Voltaren on my tummy a couple of times when the pain was becoming too annoying.
This delayed onset pain subsided in 2-3 days, and I have to say - because I had been very scared of this pain from having read horror stories in RealSelf before - that it really wasn't very bad for me. I have a very low pain threshold and I can honestly say, that it's not that bad.
Ok, so back to the 2nd session: so the three more cycles felt less awful than the 1st cycle I had had the week before, perhaps because I knew what to expect. I didn't get the awful clammy dizzy spell during or after the session, like I did last time. I managed to get home well, although I wouldn't advise driving or walking long distances: you really feel tired and sore, and you just want to get to your couch to tuck yourself in a fetus position as quickly as possible.
The next two days my entire tummy has been as tight as a bowstring: I haven't been able to properly stand straight, and I walk around my house like a Quasimodo. If I spend 5min gradually stretching my tummy, I'm finally able to stand straight. It's a bit like I did an utra hard ab exercises (x times 10), and my abs are just tight as a knot. The first nights I was very sore, but by the 3rd day I'm feeling much better.
The only thing is that I haven't been able to exercise since my 1st session, because my tummy hurts at the smallest jump or stretch. I can do most basic things, shopping, cleaning, picking up stuff from the floor, etc. but exercise, no way. I'm worried that my running fitness is deteriorating by the day, and feel a bit anxious to be able to go out and run again.
And I'm SO bloated! I look like I'm 3 months pregnant, it's insane. No bruising, no redness anymore, just tenderness and a non-existent baby.
I'm also slightly worried about the delayed onset pain which will hit me in two days time, because the treated area is much larger now and the upper tummy is still very tight.
The aesthetician told me that the delayed onset pain is a sign that the fat cells are reacting, and it's a common and completely safe phase of the healing process.
In two weeks I have my last session, where we will treat my flanks. After that I am left with two cycles, which I can use in a few months time to treat an remaining areas I want to treat. I might do another cycle of my lower tummy, or do my upper back (bra area).
So far so good: I'm looking forward to the results in 1-2 months time!
On the day of the session, not only did I have my full day of periods, but I was also suffering a second day of those dreaded 'nerve pains', which appeared on the 4th day after the first session and grew in intensity, being quite strong (pain level 6-7) on the days 5 and 6. It's actually NOT real nerve pain, even though some posts here talk about delayed onset neuralgia, because it doesn't actually affect the nerves. What this delayed onset pain is, is that it's the *fat cells healing themselves*. Imagine if you fell on asphalt and got very deep asphalt wounds, which then itch, throb and scab over the next days? It's sort of the same: I feel a deep itch which I can't stratch, coupled with feeling of sharp needle-like pains inside my tummy, and occasional aching. At times the sharp pains were quite intense (bordering on 7-8), but they passed quickly. Paracetamol + ibuprofein + codeine combo seemed to work, and I also put some Voltaren on my tummy a couple of times when the pain was becoming too annoying.
This delayed onset pain subsided in 2-3 days, and I have to say - because I had been very scared of this pain from having read horror stories in RealSelf before - that it really wasn't very bad for me. I have a very low pain threshold and I can honestly say, that it's not that bad.
Ok, so back to the 2nd session: so the three more cycles felt less awful than the 1st cycle I had had the week before, perhaps because I knew what to expect. I didn't get the awful clammy dizzy spell during or after the session, like I did last time. I managed to get home well, although I wouldn't advise driving or walking long distances: you really feel tired and sore, and you just want to get to your couch to tuck yourself in a fetus position as quickly as possible.
The next two days my entire tummy has been as tight as a bowstring: I haven't been able to properly stand straight, and I walk around my house like a Quasimodo. If I spend 5min gradually stretching my tummy, I'm finally able to stand straight. It's a bit like I did an utra hard ab exercises (x times 10), and my abs are just tight as a knot. The first nights I was very sore, but by the 3rd day I'm feeling much better.
The only thing is that I haven't been able to exercise since my 1st session, because my tummy hurts at the smallest jump or stretch. I can do most basic things, shopping, cleaning, picking up stuff from the floor, etc. but exercise, no way. I'm worried that my running fitness is deteriorating by the day, and feel a bit anxious to be able to go out and run again.
And I'm SO bloated! I look like I'm 3 months pregnant, it's insane. No bruising, no redness anymore, just tenderness and a non-existent baby.
I'm also slightly worried about the delayed onset pain which will hit me in two days time, because the treated area is much larger now and the upper tummy is still very tight.
The aesthetician told me that the delayed onset pain is a sign that the fat cells are reacting, and it's a common and completely safe phase of the healing process.
In two weeks I have my last session, where we will treat my flanks. After that I am left with two cycles, which I can use in a few months time to treat an remaining areas I want to treat. I might do another cycle of my lower tummy, or do my upper back (bra area).
So far so good: I'm looking forward to the results in 1-2 months time!
Ok, so here comes my first update! So today…
Ok, so here comes my first update!
So today I had my initial consultation with a lovely young aesthetician at Barry's clinic in Edinburgh, who despite her youth was very professional and knowledgeable.
I decided to buy a CoolSculpting package for my flanks and my lower and upper tummy, as well as my back under the bra. The procedure will be done in three sessions: today was my first - a sort of a test round, with just one cycle on my lower right belly (for lack of time we couldn't do both sides today). Next week I will have the last three cycles on my lower and upper belly (around 3-4 hours of treatment..), and the week after that my flanks and back (6 cycles, 6-7 hours).
I've added some of my 'before' pics from yesterday, as well as pics of my right side of my tummy few hours after the treatment. As you can see, it's red, misshaped and heavily bloated and bumpy, but there's no bruising.
Rewinding to the actual treatment:
She put the cold and wet protective membrane on top of my skin, before the applicator (a medium-sized applicator). The actual sucking was not bad at all - sort of as you would feel if you grabbed your tummy fat very hard and pulled, and then twisted it with a bit of a 'Chinese rub'. It hurts a tiny bit and is uncomfortable, but not too bad. You will feel the cold within half a minute, and the first 3-5 minutes are quite uncomfortable (but still not too bad). After 5-10 minutes the area got numb and I felt nothing really for the next 50 minutes.
Then comes the removal of the applicator, and the infamous massage. Outch! It felt horrible, really: I think I would have cried if I had had one of those large CoolMax applicators on, as even the medium-sized one on just one small area was awful enough. I didn't cry though. I got very cold all of a sudden, dizzy, nauseous, and clammy. I was wet all over with sweat, and thought I would pass out - but I didn't. After about 5min the worst was over, and 10 minutes after the treatment I was putting on clothes and feeling just fine - quite numb, actually, and slightly euphoric.
An hour after the procedure as I was walking to the train, I suddenly felt very dizzy. I had to sit down at the closest place I could find, and suddenly the world started spinning around me. I got incredibly clammy-sweaty and wondered if I would pass out or puke, but I did neither. I was afraid I was going to miss my train, but I couldn't walk, as everything was spinning. It was the worst feeling ever. :( I've fainted twice in my life, and this was much worse. I've never experienced anything quite like it. But after about 10 minutes the feeling passed, and I was able to remember where I was going and to which direction - although still not quite well. I was dripping wet all over, having soaked all of my clothes, and regretted at not having brought spare clothes with me.
I haven't had the nausea since, and the tummy has now turned very sore to touch (started at about 1-2hrs post-op). I barely managed to walk straight. If I sit still, I don't feel anything: no tingling, no pins & needles, no aching. If I move, or if I touch it, it hurts. I'm wearing extra supportive pantyhose and that helps. I'll take a paracetamol+ibuprofein+codeine combo tonight before bed.
My next session is next Wednesday, when we will finish the tummy. It will be three cycles - yikes! I'm preparing with a spare change of clothes and an extra warm cotton jumper for those cold sweats that I know will break out. I will make sure to get to a train within an hour, before the first dizzy fit hits me.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
So today I had my initial consultation with a lovely young aesthetician at Barry's clinic in Edinburgh, who despite her youth was very professional and knowledgeable.
I decided to buy a CoolSculpting package for my flanks and my lower and upper tummy, as well as my back under the bra. The procedure will be done in three sessions: today was my first - a sort of a test round, with just one cycle on my lower right belly (for lack of time we couldn't do both sides today). Next week I will have the last three cycles on my lower and upper belly (around 3-4 hours of treatment..), and the week after that my flanks and back (6 cycles, 6-7 hours).
I've added some of my 'before' pics from yesterday, as well as pics of my right side of my tummy few hours after the treatment. As you can see, it's red, misshaped and heavily bloated and bumpy, but there's no bruising.
Rewinding to the actual treatment:
She put the cold and wet protective membrane on top of my skin, before the applicator (a medium-sized applicator). The actual sucking was not bad at all - sort of as you would feel if you grabbed your tummy fat very hard and pulled, and then twisted it with a bit of a 'Chinese rub'. It hurts a tiny bit and is uncomfortable, but not too bad. You will feel the cold within half a minute, and the first 3-5 minutes are quite uncomfortable (but still not too bad). After 5-10 minutes the area got numb and I felt nothing really for the next 50 minutes.
Then comes the removal of the applicator, and the infamous massage. Outch! It felt horrible, really: I think I would have cried if I had had one of those large CoolMax applicators on, as even the medium-sized one on just one small area was awful enough. I didn't cry though. I got very cold all of a sudden, dizzy, nauseous, and clammy. I was wet all over with sweat, and thought I would pass out - but I didn't. After about 5min the worst was over, and 10 minutes after the treatment I was putting on clothes and feeling just fine - quite numb, actually, and slightly euphoric.
An hour after the procedure as I was walking to the train, I suddenly felt very dizzy. I had to sit down at the closest place I could find, and suddenly the world started spinning around me. I got incredibly clammy-sweaty and wondered if I would pass out or puke, but I did neither. I was afraid I was going to miss my train, but I couldn't walk, as everything was spinning. It was the worst feeling ever. :( I've fainted twice in my life, and this was much worse. I've never experienced anything quite like it. But after about 10 minutes the feeling passed, and I was able to remember where I was going and to which direction - although still not quite well. I was dripping wet all over, having soaked all of my clothes, and regretted at not having brought spare clothes with me.
I haven't had the nausea since, and the tummy has now turned very sore to touch (started at about 1-2hrs post-op). I barely managed to walk straight. If I sit still, I don't feel anything: no tingling, no pins & needles, no aching. If I move, or if I touch it, it hurts. I'm wearing extra supportive pantyhose and that helps. I'll take a paracetamol+ibuprofein+codeine combo tonight before bed.
My next session is next Wednesday, when we will finish the tummy. It will be three cycles - yikes! I'm preparing with a spare change of clothes and an extra warm cotton jumper for those cold sweats that I know will break out. I will make sure to get to a train within an hour, before the first dizzy fit hits me.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
33 yr old female: CoolSculpting Story
A 30+ healthy active female here.
I have my first CoolSculpting session tomorrow (!!) at a UK clinic listed on the official CoolSculpting website (It's called Beyond MediSpa founded by the US plastic surgeon Dr Barry Cohen, although I think I will be treated by an aesthetician at their clinic in Edinburgh).
I will be targeting my tummy and flanks. I'm not badly overweight and I try to eat healthy and exercise/run regularly, but I have high carb-eating habits and have always been 'soft'. I'm 169cm tall (I think that's 5.54 in feet and inches). I lost 6kg last year and at best weighed 62.5kg (138lbs), measuring 69cm (27inches) at waist, 73cm (28.7) at lower belly and 93cm (36.6) at hips. However over Christmas I've gained something back (I'll give my starting measurements below).
My lower belly and flanks are the stubborn areas that even at my skinniest there has always been a bulge visible through the shirt. I always find myself demotivated, after having lost all this weight and looking great in the upper body (well, except for the boob shrinkage-droopage that always comes with my weight loss....), my lower body is still full of fatty lumps and pumps. I feel like I'd need to become entirely flat-chested if I would like to have a nice lower body that fits in dresses and doesn't poke through the shirt. I don't want that! I want a balanced, natural distribution of weight ...pwease!
I have done lipo about 10 years ago at a cheap and poor Estonian clinic, which left my inner thighs uneven, and my flanks looking a bit funny (not too bad, but kind of flat-shaped). It helped a bit (I used to be much worse), but not perfectly. I didn't have the courage to do the tummy at the time.
Anyway, here are my starting measurements! (22 Feb 2017, morning): Weight: 69.3kg (152.8lbs) / Waist: 74.2cm (29.2 inches) / My lower belly (my 'bulge' + flanks): 94cm (37 inches) / Hips: 99cm (39 inches) / Left and right thighs: 60cm (23.6 inches) (I am measuring my thighs also because they are a good indicator of my weight loss: at my lowest weight they measured 56cm - translating to about -1cm / -0.6kg weight loss)).
I will post pictures as well, don't worry. ^_^ I'm terrified about the famous nerve pain and not being able to run for a while, but I hope everything goes well... With a 82% positive rating in RealSelf, it cannot be total bogus, right?? (right??) :))
Will write again tomorrow after the treatment!
I have my first CoolSculpting session tomorrow (!!) at a UK clinic listed on the official CoolSculpting website (It's called Beyond MediSpa founded by the US plastic surgeon Dr Barry Cohen, although I think I will be treated by an aesthetician at their clinic in Edinburgh).
I will be targeting my tummy and flanks. I'm not badly overweight and I try to eat healthy and exercise/run regularly, but I have high carb-eating habits and have always been 'soft'. I'm 169cm tall (I think that's 5.54 in feet and inches). I lost 6kg last year and at best weighed 62.5kg (138lbs), measuring 69cm (27inches) at waist, 73cm (28.7) at lower belly and 93cm (36.6) at hips. However over Christmas I've gained something back (I'll give my starting measurements below).
My lower belly and flanks are the stubborn areas that even at my skinniest there has always been a bulge visible through the shirt. I always find myself demotivated, after having lost all this weight and looking great in the upper body (well, except for the boob shrinkage-droopage that always comes with my weight loss....), my lower body is still full of fatty lumps and pumps. I feel like I'd need to become entirely flat-chested if I would like to have a nice lower body that fits in dresses and doesn't poke through the shirt. I don't want that! I want a balanced, natural distribution of weight ...pwease!
I have done lipo about 10 years ago at a cheap and poor Estonian clinic, which left my inner thighs uneven, and my flanks looking a bit funny (not too bad, but kind of flat-shaped). It helped a bit (I used to be much worse), but not perfectly. I didn't have the courage to do the tummy at the time.
Anyway, here are my starting measurements! (22 Feb 2017, morning): Weight: 69.3kg (152.8lbs) / Waist: 74.2cm (29.2 inches) / My lower belly (my 'bulge' + flanks): 94cm (37 inches) / Hips: 99cm (39 inches) / Left and right thighs: 60cm (23.6 inches) (I am measuring my thighs also because they are a good indicator of my weight loss: at my lowest weight they measured 56cm - translating to about -1cm / -0.6kg weight loss)).
I will post pictures as well, don't worry. ^_^ I'm terrified about the famous nerve pain and not being able to run for a while, but I hope everything goes well... With a 82% positive rating in RealSelf, it cannot be total bogus, right?? (right??) :))
Will write again tomorrow after the treatment!
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