Much More Painful Than I Expected: There is Downtime - Illinois

I had my procedure done on November 27, 2012. I did the lower abdomen. I must say I was very naive as to what the side effects of this procedure would be. I thought I would go in and have a some kind of cold pad placed on me and then in 2 months or so I would see a difference. No where in the literature or when I spoke with the Cool Sculpting representative did I hear about suction, pins and needles, stinging or a need for pain medication. I guess they forgot about letting me know about these things.

The actual procedure was difficult for me. When they attached the machine I became nauseated and thought my insides were being sucked out of my body. After I got use to it I was able to make it the full hour. The "massage" afterwards was very painful and I coul not wait to get out of the place and go home. The first 3 days I felt very numb and every time I ate I would be nauseated and have diarrhea. On the evening of the 3rd day I started experiencing stinging pain in my abdomen. The only way I could describe it was like bees stinging and then burning afterwards. I took advil and it didn't even phase the pain. The 4th and 5th days I tried going about everyday life and running errands. I had to return home and lay around. I'm grateful that I am self-employed because if I had a job I would not have been able to work. On the evening of the 5th night I started icing my abdomen. It is the only relief I can get from the stinging pain and I do mean pain in my abdomen.

Today is my 10th day and I cannot go without ice for more than one hour. This pain is dehabilitating! I talked with the nurse at the spa and she said I should have called sooner and got some pain killers. I'm not a person who likes to take drugs so I have tried to push through the pain without drugs. She informed me this stinging pain could last for another 2 weeks. My questions is where was all the information ahead of time that I would be experiencing pain on this level? I don't know if any of this is worth it. I'm overwhelmed with the effects of this procedure. I can't say if it is worth it or not at this point.

I read on someone's page that your not suppose to use ice and was wondering if anyone can tell me why you shouldn't use ice. It's the only thing to reduce the pain to tolerable levels. Also I had purchased 4 of these treatments in a package deal and from reading other accounts it sounds like the lower abdomen in the most painful. Is the flanks as painful as the lower abdomen? Any information would be helpful on getting me through this experience.

Today is day 12 and I am finally feeling some relief. I have not had to ice my stomach today. I cannot wear anything that touches that part of my abdomen where the procedure was done. If my blouse touches it there is a stinging uncomfortable feeling. I think there is light at the end of this experience. I hope it is all worth it! Would like to hear other people's experiences as to the pain level for the upper abdomen and the flanks. Are they as painful as the lower abdomen? I have heard the lower abdomen is the worst so if I can get through this maybe the upper abdomen and flanks will not be as bad. Would really like other people's information on this if possible. Thank you!

One week ago today I had the upper abdomen done. It was a long hour to endure and then the massage afterwards was defiently no fun. I will say it does not hurt like the lower abdomen did. The discomfort is managable without any pain meds and I haven't had to ice the area. I have been able to do just about everything I needed to but there are times It hurts a bunch. I still have 2 more treatments to go over the next couple of months and will then decide if this was worth it. I bought a 4 treatment package in the beginning so I have 2 more to go.