Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting Reviews

Updated: Less than Expected Results (5 months post)

UPDATED FROM exMMA
4 months post

5 Months Post First Coolsculpting

E
exMMA
$2,250
It has been 5 months since my first coolsculpting procedure (lower abs) and 4 months since my second (flanks/love handles). I have noticed that the results seemed to have peaked about 2 months after the first treatment. I felt really good about Coolsculpting at that time, but now my lower abs have definitely regressed. In fact, there is a much more definitive "pooch" or curviness in my lower abs than was ever present before. I don't know if this is because Coolsculpting worked well in the mid abs, so it exaggerates the remaining fat in the lower abs. I've actually lost a few pounds since the treatments, so it is not attributable to weight gain. Either way, it is not what I was hoping for. I am going back to see my doctor next week. Has anyone else experienced this?

exMMA's provider

Jennifer Harrington, MD

Jennifer Harrington, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

exMMA rating for Dr. Harrington:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (5)

S
July 31, 2014
How much did you spend total? Thanks for sharing your experience.
E
August 31, 2014
Hi, sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. The Coolsculpting was $2,250 per area. It was more than usual (I think) because the doctor I saw does something called stacking, which are two, one hour treatments back-to-back on the same area (so you are basically treated over two hours versus one). She said this produced better results.
User Avatar
BB
August 29, 2014
I am sorry ths has happened. I am afraid because my surgeon recommended it for me and i want to do it in Nov. :( Not sure after reading any reviews and not seeing results,a lot of pain and some have indentations and lumps or one side is bigger and now this. You lower abs are protruding. Are you going to do it again or do smart-lipo? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks BB
E
August 29, 2014
Thanks. Yes, it has been very disappointing and obviously was not the result I was looking for. That said, the doctor did say that with a very small percentage of patients, there is a potential side effect where the fat cells can actually increase in size over time. She believes that has happened with me, and I am only one of two patients she has had that this has happened with (out of several hundred). So it may be a small risk for you. I don't think anyone knows why some people have this side effect, you may want to ask your doctor to see if he knows. Anyway, I am not going to do Coolsculpting again (the doctor said that is the last thing to do if the initial procedure produced this side effect). I am going to try Vanquish, because I do not want to do lipo, even smart lipo. We will see how the Vanquish goes.....hopefully well. Good luck to you!
User Avatar
BB
August 29, 2014
I hope Vanquish helps,i never heard of that. My surgeon didn't want to do lipo on me due to my skin color and scarring. So,he recommended cool sculpting and said i am a great candidate. I am not 100% sold on this technique. BUt i may try it. Thanks
E
August 31, 2014
I had my first Vanquish treatment on Friday. It is obviously too early to make any definitive conclusions, but I can actually already see a reduction in the bulge that was creating by Coolsculpting! I am hoping it actually is for real. There are three more treatments I have over the next three weeks, so we will see how things progress. As for the treatment itself, it was much less painful compared to Coolsculpting. Basically you just lay on the treatment bed and the Vanquish machine hovers over the midsection, sending out the RF waves. It felt a little hot in a couple of areas and the PA simply moved the machine slightly and it was fine. No other side effects so far.
User Avatar
BB
August 31, 2014
Thanks for sharing. I hope this works better for you. I am starting to think i should bite the bullet&do lipo and deal with the scars. Are you really an ex mma fighter?
E
September 1, 2014
Thanks. Good luck with whichever procedure you decide to do! Yes, I am an ex mma fighter (never big time, just small, local stuff). I wrestled in high school and also boxed, and even did pro wrestling, so that is what led me to try it.
User Avatar
BB
September 1, 2014
Thanks,i think i will try my luck on the cool sculpting. If you see my abs they are not bad,no big pouch or bulge. I was just asking because my cousin is exmma. He was self-made.Retired now.
E
September 2, 2014
I did see your pictures, and wow, you look great! I can't see the need for Coolsculpting or liposuction or any other procedure for you...that is a compliment :). Good luck though in whatever you try out.
L
January 9, 2015
Hi Bella besos (such a cute name). Anyhow, what ethnicity are you if you don't mind me asking? I had lipo and had great results! Scars are tiny and you can't see them anymore. I am very light skinned. The darker you are the more te scaring shows, BUT it also matters how you care for the scars. I used Cilicone gel pads and my Dr. Said he has never seen someone heal as well as I did. But I cared for the scars well. I honestly couldn't be happier and according to what I see ppl pay for this cool sculpt procedure, it is the same price! Atleast here in California. Maybe due to all of the competition! Hope this helps.
User Avatar
BB
September 2, 2014
Happy Taco Tuesday!!!! Thanks :) for the Thank You
J
October 29, 2014
I saw the same Dr. And experienced the same result. 6 months post procedure she re-treated the same area for free because she even agreed it didn't work. Still nothing. I maintain a strict diet and exercise regime and have no weight gain. So disappointed.
User Avatar
D
February 3, 2015
My husband had it done and he would say it was NOT worth it.
UPDATED FROM exMMA
3 months post

4 Month (Lower Abs) Update/ 3 Month (Love Handles) Update

E
exMMA
It has been a little over four months since my Coolsculpting treatment for my lower abs and three months since the treatment for my love handles/flanks.

For the lower abs treatment, the large sized applicator/suction was placed pretty much over my belly button, so it grabbed fat slightly above and below the naval area. I must admit that not as much has changed as I had hoped. My upper and middle part of my abs are pretty much where I wanted them to be, but there now seems to be a more distinct bulge/curve that is very apparent, particularly from the side. This has seemed to increase since my last post 3 months ago! So, I would say I am somewhat disappointed that there has not been more improvement with my lower abs, which was the primary area I wanted to treat. I would add that I've continued my usual diet and exercise routine. My weight has stayed the same as before, so weight gain is definitely not a factor here. I may go back to the clinic and see whether a second treatment, more directly on the lower abs would be of benefit.

For the love handles, it has been three months since the smaller applicators were placed there. There has been some slight improvement. I can definitely grab less fat, so I am happy with that treatment.

In summary, the results for my lower abs have stalled, and perhaps regressed a bit over the last three months, while the love handles treatment has been okay.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM exMMA
21 days post

Swelling has gone down...

E
exMMA

Swelling has gone done. I'll post some more pics when I get a chance. I am happy with the results, but as my doctor said, you can't expect miraculous results and it is still less than 2 months from my first treatment. Overall though, I can definitely feel and see flatter abs. The love handles have not shown as much improvement, but I had them done several weeks after The lower abs, so perhaps still too early. I am also continuing to exercise more as well, so both are probably contributing to the lower ab improvement. Anyway, I am happy I decided to try coolsculpting and look forward to continued improvements!

Replies (1)

LC
December 17, 2014
I had the love handles and lower abs. The pain is rough. What did you take for the pain?