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POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting REVIEWS

Cool Sculpting - Cranston, RI

ORIGINAL POST

I had a little bit of a belly. I'm 5'1" and...

jg1113
$2,700
I had a little bit of a belly. I'm 5'1" and weighed 112 lbs. I heard an advertisement on the radio about cool sculpting. It sounded so benign. Lose unwanted fat, no invasive surgery and no pain and no down time. I had it done on March, 17, 2016. It was a 4 hour procedure and was extremely painful. I vomited in my mouth due to the pain and felt like I was going to pass out. I was told that it takes about 3 months before I would notice a change. My stomach was very large post procedure. But that was normal swelling. Toward the end of April the itching and numbness started to decrease. My stomach felt like a giant bowl of jello until the beginning of June when it became large and firm. I was seen by a PA at Ideal Imaging who said it was still swollen and to come back in a month. I returned in a month was seen by an RN. She took photos and said that something was wrong and had another employee look at my stomach who said they've never seen this before but my stomach was definitely much larger than when I went to them and they could tell that it was in the areas where the cool sculpting took place. They said that they were going to contact Zelteq (manufacturer of the cool sculpting equipment) to ask if they've ever seen this before. A week or 2 later the RN called me and said they wanted to take more pictures. She said I'd hear back in 2 weeks, I didn't hear back so I called them, twice then finally talked with an NP. An appointment was scheduled to see the NP. The NP looked at my stomach and said I am sorry but you have what's called paradoxical fat hyperplasia. She explained that instead of the cool sculpting dissolving fat it stimulated abnormal fat cells to develop. She went on to say that I could exercise and diet 24/7 and that it would have no effect on my stomach. She said the only treatment is liposuction. Needless to say I was horrified. My stomach is very, very large. I look pregnant. None of my skirts or pants fit me. The NP suggested I go to a plastics surgeon and bring her the quote for the liposuction and that she would forward it to Zeltiq who will pay for the liposuction.
I went to a plastic surgeon that the NP suggested and he told me that my stomach is the worst he has ever seen. He spent at least 45 minutes with me. He told me that he would not do liposuction on me. He said the outcome, because of all the large fat cells would not work. He said I'd be very disappointed if I had liposuction. He told me that I needed abdominoplasty. He showed me what the surgical procedure is. I expressed to him how horrified I was to think I now needed to have such invasive surgery. He tried to make me feel better but I left his office very upset.
I contacted the NP on September 13th and explained what the plastic surgeon said. And I sent her a copy of the quote for the surgery. She said that she would no longer by my contact and that someone will be getting back to me. I asked when, she said 2 weeks. Well I've never received a call from Ideal Imaging in Cranston, Rhode Island. I have called them every 2 weeks and I cannot get beyond the desk person who puts me on hold and I wait and then she picks up the phone and says they don't know when I'll hear back from them regarding paying for the surgery.
I am so outraged. I went from a tiny person who looked very good in my cloths to someone who looks pregnant and all my prior roomy dresses are tight and look awful. I have to remove my cloths as soon as I get home from work and put on roomy PJs.
I don't know what to do. The surgery is just under $11,000.

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Replies (14)

November 12, 2016
When you signed the consent for coolsculpting did they mention that rare side effect? I've read that it's very very rare but can happen. If they didn't disclose that on the consent form I would definitely (hate to say it) sue them for the cost of the surgery you need to correct it! And have another dr do your tummy tuck. I'm so sorry this happened to you!
January 1, 2017
So sorry that you went through this!

I agree with the previous poster... Take them to court for the cost of any procedures, legal fees, and add damages for pain and suffering. This is horrible. Hope you feel and look better very soon!
March 22, 2017
This is unacceptable period.
March 23, 2017
Hi, thank you sharing your experience. Sorry about how bad felt. I would love to do something that in my belly too. But I don't know what to put on the balance because money for sure we spend, but good results, good healthier , and be happy are thibgbs hard to manager in this case. I wish the best for you. Do you think in to do something different ?
March 30, 2017
So sorry about your experience. Please be strong and insistent with the company. Write down the feedback you recieved from clinic reps with dates and keep note of every effort you make to resolve the situation. Call Zeltiq personally if the clinic is taking too long to get back to you. Call them once a week if need be until they resolve this for you.