POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting REVIEWS
I Took the Leap! Fingers Crossed!!!
ORIGINAL POST
So a little history about me. I'm 36, I have 1 kid...
bob1254June 24, 2017
WORTH IT$2,701
So a little history about me. I'm 36, I have 1 kid and I'm getting married in March 2018. I work out regularly and am a vegetarian, so eat pretty healthy. I took myself off Wellbutrin and BAM gained 10 pounds that absolutely refuses to go away. I cut my drinking down by 2/3s (truth be told, I love my expensive beer), got a meal plan from a licensed dietitian, did Advocare, did a juice cleanse, did PiYo and P90x with Shawn T. NOTHING would get this 10 pounds off. My honeymoon is at an island off Cancun, I'll be dammed if I feel self conscious in a bathing suit the whole time. No way. So I started researching options for help.
After weeks of intensive research I did it. I did one consultation at a fancy plastic surgeon's office in Fairhope, AL. They wanted $4,000 for abdomen, $4500 for abdomen and flanks. They claimed I needed 2 of the MAX treatment across my lower abs which count as 2 treatments. First off the office looks like a Colombian drug lord lives there, very tall ceiling and that Spanish orange with fountains and such. EVERY PERSON that worked there looked straight out of a magazine wearing spike heels. It was intimidating. The person I had a consultation with was probably less than a size zero so having her poke at my fat was just awkward and uncomfortable.
Well my second consultation was WAY better. Everyone was super friendly and realistic. The office was still fabulous but with soft couches instead of place one's hard leather chairs.
The consultation lady Sonya was amazing. I can't speak highly enough about her. ACTUALLY she dealt with me via emails (lots) and 2 phone calls before the consultation. She was not pushy, she answered ALL my questions. She even had the treatment herself 3 weeks prior, so was very honest with me when saying how everything said it's pain-free but she "felt donkey kicked". Lol! At 3 weeks, the results begin to show so she was enthusiastic about her experience. She couldn't understand why the first place wanted 2 MAX treatments, holding the MAX measuring tool to my belly confused as 2 MAX measuring things would not fit on me. This made me happy, proving they were not out to screw me. I did the treatment right there and then. Over 2 hours, 2 lower ab applications and 2 'flank' (love handles).
The staff was awesome. I loved all 3 women that helped me. They were all very realistic and I felt in good hands.
The procedure. First they map out where to put the suction thingy with sharpies. They sit you in this dentist like chair. There's this weird paper made of gel they put on you and then the machine is applied. The machine literally sucks up your gut. It's super weird at first. Then they situate the machine as the part on you is pretty heavy. They did this with a Boppy (those breastfeeding pillows) and towels to make sure it wouldn't slide off, but really it had such a grip on me I can't see how that would be possible. When the machine is secure they turn it on. 35 minutes each treatment area. the middle of my belly was overlapped so the middle got double treated which is rad.
So while your fat is sucked up it feels like the pins and needles of your foot being asleep after you sat on the toilet too long. (Don't act surprised, we've all been there). It's not cold initially, I didn't think, but all doctor offices crank the AC so they gave me a blanket. I'm a freeze baby. You chill for 35 minutes. There's a call button in case you need the staff. At 2 minutes the machine automatically calls the lady in. They unsuck ya, get a new gel paper and start the new area. Really wasn't that big of a deal.
AFTER everything was still cold to the touch and numb. I asked my array of weird questions like what's it going to feel like to shower and if I can workout and such. Truth be told, Sheree was right, I completely felt donkey kicked. Not so much like I was bent over crying in pain, I just wanted everything, the seat belt, my clothes, the wind, to leave my belly ALONE. The FLANKS weren't that sensitive.
That was yesterday. I've been wearing loose dresses since. Sleeping sucked because rolling on my side (if you're reading this you can relate) globs my belly into a weird gravity induced side blob. That didn't fly on night 1. The day after (today) I've managed to run around all day. My little girl is turning 9 and her friend is leaving town for 6 weeks so smart me decided to move the party to tomorrow. I mowed the grass, moved the kids 4 wheeler (and played around with it some to torture the dog), did shopping necessities and weed wacked. I consider myself to be a tough chick. But my belly definitely hurts. And I'm PRAYING tomorrow it'll be better as I'll probably receive a few waist hugs from kids, who I cannot punch if they hurt me. I'm running out of loose dresses and am expected to swim with said kids tomorrow so Lord help me. Haha I'll get though it though.
SO. To sum it up, there's weren't a lot of reviews in my area. I will keep ya'll posted and hopefully my story will help you, like this site helped me. I spent hours, too many to admit, reading reviews, looking at photos, emailing. I completely recommend the place, and hopefully in time the procedure too!! Fingers crossed and good luck to ya'll making your goals happen!
KJ
After weeks of intensive research I did it. I did one consultation at a fancy plastic surgeon's office in Fairhope, AL. They wanted $4,000 for abdomen, $4500 for abdomen and flanks. They claimed I needed 2 of the MAX treatment across my lower abs which count as 2 treatments. First off the office looks like a Colombian drug lord lives there, very tall ceiling and that Spanish orange with fountains and such. EVERY PERSON that worked there looked straight out of a magazine wearing spike heels. It was intimidating. The person I had a consultation with was probably less than a size zero so having her poke at my fat was just awkward and uncomfortable.
Well my second consultation was WAY better. Everyone was super friendly and realistic. The office was still fabulous but with soft couches instead of place one's hard leather chairs.
The consultation lady Sonya was amazing. I can't speak highly enough about her. ACTUALLY she dealt with me via emails (lots) and 2 phone calls before the consultation. She was not pushy, she answered ALL my questions. She even had the treatment herself 3 weeks prior, so was very honest with me when saying how everything said it's pain-free but she "felt donkey kicked". Lol! At 3 weeks, the results begin to show so she was enthusiastic about her experience. She couldn't understand why the first place wanted 2 MAX treatments, holding the MAX measuring tool to my belly confused as 2 MAX measuring things would not fit on me. This made me happy, proving they were not out to screw me. I did the treatment right there and then. Over 2 hours, 2 lower ab applications and 2 'flank' (love handles).
The staff was awesome. I loved all 3 women that helped me. They were all very realistic and I felt in good hands.
The procedure. First they map out where to put the suction thingy with sharpies. They sit you in this dentist like chair. There's this weird paper made of gel they put on you and then the machine is applied. The machine literally sucks up your gut. It's super weird at first. Then they situate the machine as the part on you is pretty heavy. They did this with a Boppy (those breastfeeding pillows) and towels to make sure it wouldn't slide off, but really it had such a grip on me I can't see how that would be possible. When the machine is secure they turn it on. 35 minutes each treatment area. the middle of my belly was overlapped so the middle got double treated which is rad.
So while your fat is sucked up it feels like the pins and needles of your foot being asleep after you sat on the toilet too long. (Don't act surprised, we've all been there). It's not cold initially, I didn't think, but all doctor offices crank the AC so they gave me a blanket. I'm a freeze baby. You chill for 35 minutes. There's a call button in case you need the staff. At 2 minutes the machine automatically calls the lady in. They unsuck ya, get a new gel paper and start the new area. Really wasn't that big of a deal.
AFTER everything was still cold to the touch and numb. I asked my array of weird questions like what's it going to feel like to shower and if I can workout and such. Truth be told, Sheree was right, I completely felt donkey kicked. Not so much like I was bent over crying in pain, I just wanted everything, the seat belt, my clothes, the wind, to leave my belly ALONE. The FLANKS weren't that sensitive.
That was yesterday. I've been wearing loose dresses since. Sleeping sucked because rolling on my side (if you're reading this you can relate) globs my belly into a weird gravity induced side blob. That didn't fly on night 1. The day after (today) I've managed to run around all day. My little girl is turning 9 and her friend is leaving town for 6 weeks so smart me decided to move the party to tomorrow. I mowed the grass, moved the kids 4 wheeler (and played around with it some to torture the dog), did shopping necessities and weed wacked. I consider myself to be a tough chick. But my belly definitely hurts. And I'm PRAYING tomorrow it'll be better as I'll probably receive a few waist hugs from kids, who I cannot punch if they hurt me. I'm running out of loose dresses and am expected to swim with said kids tomorrow so Lord help me. Haha I'll get though it though.
SO. To sum it up, there's weren't a lot of reviews in my area. I will keep ya'll posted and hopefully my story will help you, like this site helped me. I spent hours, too many to admit, reading reviews, looking at photos, emailing. I completely recommend the place, and hopefully in time the procedure too!! Fingers crossed and good luck to ya'll making your goals happen!
KJ
Replies (6)
July 20, 2017
This is such a shame to know that you are being quoted thousands. I live in Australia, and had a cool sculpting procedure done for the first time today, and I paid no more than $220 AU, and I questioned my tech about why they are so cheap, and she said that clinics and surgeries are charging massively for the name on the cool sculpting machine. For the exact same procedure you got done, I got done today, single area, lower abdomen. It has been 8 hours and I have moved about like normal, I have barely noticed any discomfort and surely have not been donkey kicked. I'm wondering whether they put the machine on full suction , without giving your body area a chance to get used to it. She upted the suction gradually (like contractions in induced labour) so I wasn't shocked, or out of breath or in any horrible pain. I've read so many reviews about how painful it was during and post procedure. Unless I have found a really gentle and financially friendly technician and clinic, and everybody else is paying into the thousands for the name sitting on the cool sculpting machine, I don't know. But I'm sorry you have paid so much money and are in so much pain. I truly hope you are results. My message to you is simply out of annoyance to these surgeries and clinics charging big bucks because they know people are desperate, myself included. I hope you find somebody who charges way less. All the best with your healing and wedding next year x
UPDATED FROM bob1254
28 days post
One Month check up and WOW!!!!!
bob1254July 20, 2017
So I went to the one month check up. After about 3 weeks of pain in my belly, I was sort of burnt out on thinking about CoolSculpting. Then it happened. The side by side photos and BLISS!!!! This is only one month!! It's anticipated to get even better!!! HAPPY DAY!!!!
(If ya'll can't see them clean, please feel free to tell me they suck and i'll separate them by photos.)
Totally worth it now. My adviser lady says I probably won't need a second round. SUPER HAPPY! Going to buy a new bikini right now!!
(If ya'll can't see them clean, please feel free to tell me they suck and i'll separate them by photos.)
Totally worth it now. My adviser lady says I probably won't need a second round. SUPER HAPPY! Going to buy a new bikini right now!!
Replies (3)
August 7, 2017
Great results after just one month. You can really see the difference from the back. I have my consultation today and I'm very excited.
It will go away in a week or ten days. Hang in there.
You really don't have much to lose, and I think you'll get great results. Mine started at around 4 weeks on the abdomen.
Best wishes--and keep your sense of humor! Your descriptions made me laugh : )
Were you happy with your results?
What I am not pleased about is that I now have sagging skin on my abdomen. It's been about 10 or 11 weeks now and the skin that was sagging at 5 weeks has not improved, so unless I do something about it, I'm stuck with it. It's been a very big disappointment.
Now, I'm looking at spending $3600 to have that skin tightened via ThermiTight. So, yes, CS absolutely worked on my lower abdomen fat. Not so much on love handles, but that's not wven important to me now, because I've got what I feel is much worse problem, the loose and sagging skin.
I do not think it had anything to do with the provider. I think it's just age and being post menopause with fair skin.
I think everyone should be cautioned that this can happen if they have any similar risk factors. Some providers use a Zimmer Z Wave device at the same time as CS to reduce likelihood of loose or sagging skin.
Had I known any of this, I would have skipped CS and gone right for Thermi Tight on the abdomen because it also gets rid of fat, as well as tightening skin.
TL; DR Yes, CS worked, but I was left with significant sagging skin.