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POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting REVIEWS

Disastrous Results - Montreal, QC

ORIGINAL POST

I'm 53 years old but in great shape. Have been an...

Real selfish
$2,100
I'm 53 years old but in great shape. Have been an exercise addict for decades but in the last few years, a slight bulge on my lower abs started to bother me. I decided to try this wonderful, non-invasive procedure to correct my one minor imperfection. The procedure consisted of three different treatment sites, which I didn't see the necessity of but my trust was there and I believed when they told me I was the ideal candidate and I would have "excellent" results. After the procedure I was told bloating could last up until 2 weeks. 3 weeks later, I was still horribly bloated.

When I went back for my first follow up, it was still bloated and just looked liked I had gained 10 pounds. When I saw my before pictures, I almost cried. I longed to have that back. The technician said she had not seen that kind of result on anyone else. At that early stage I still had hope that things were going to improve but here I am 2 weeks shy of six months and I know my abs are ruined. I never wanted, nor do I want any invasive procedure. Having put so much effort and focus on my body in my life and now winding up with this mess has been very hard for me. And on top of it, having the doctor blame me by saying I gained weight has been infuriating. I've kissed my money and my once lovely abs goodbye.

I have seen a lot of people on this site and others talking about how damaging coolsculpting has been to them. The message I want to get out is that it is not necessarily a safe procedure for everyone.

I have never seen any doctors posting any kind of negative information regarding coolsculpting. So why is the satisfaction rate only 63%.

Major regret.

Real selfish's provider

Cosmedica

Replies (12)

May 25, 2015
Do you have a picture of before and after?
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May 26, 2015

I'm sorry you didn't get the results you were hoping for.

June 25, 2015
Hello. I am so sorry for your huge disappointment and awful results. I recently went to a plastic surgeon in my area for an assessment on the procedure. Mind you, I work out five days a week , eat sensibly, not over weight, wear a size 4 or 6 petite .
I am a victim of the aging process and have noticed over the last three years my waistline and flanks are much larger than I ever had. I have what is now called, muffin top, and hate the way the flab hangs over my waistband. I wear lose shirts now, no form fitting ones any longer.
I am greatly distressed by all the comments I have read on this site and they have influenced me to the degree that I will most likely not have the procedure done to my flanks area (stomach was recommended as well, but hey, I am not made of money). Did you , in fact, have your procedure done at a plastic surgeon's office or one of those med spa's? I suppose it does not make a huge difference as the machines are the same but I was not told I was an "ideal " candidate. The nurse that did my initial interview kept asking me over and over, what I expected to attain from it? Did I expect a 50% reduction in the areas treated? Of course not, I replied. I said if I got at least a one inch reduction on each side, I would be very pleased. I was rather annoyed by the questioning because I think, in a roundabout way, the nurse was letting me know, I probably would not be happy. I am in my middle 60's and I don't expect to look or have the body I had at my 30's.
I am seeing another surgeon on July 8th who does not employ Coolsculpt in his practice ---I had asked his receptionist why he did not an she said that frankly, they were more concerned about patients having nerve damage and horrible pain after the procedures are done--they really don't know the long term effects of this kind of fat reduction.
As you stated in your post, I have not seen one doctor or med spa state anything negative about coolsculpting but only at an appointment when you are asking questions about side effects and pain. they do state there can be after effects and gloss it over by telling you everyone handles the pain differently.
I do hope you are not permanently damaged by all you have been through. I know that you have been hoping for a better result so urge you to see a doctor for an opinion on what may rectify your situation. Best of luck to you.
June 25, 2015
I think I'm in your category. I took a picture and sent it to my twin sister, because I thought I was imagining things. She agrees. My lower abs is much worse than before I had it done almost 4 weeks ago. It's bulging out, big time! I don't even know how to repair that. I can't have lipo bcuz I have a brain shunt that drains into my stomach area. Dang! I feel just like you. I'm only 100 lbs., but had a little bulge in my lower abs that I wanted to get rid of. It's worse!
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August 24, 2015
Being only 4 wks out is way too early. Not unusual to still be swollen at 4 weeks. I bet by 8-12 weeks you are seeing the results you were hoping for.
August 24, 2015
You're right! Of course, it's nothing like the results I would get with a lipo procedure. When they say you will lose about 25 percent of your fat cells, that's exactly what I lost. I can't expect my abs to look like it did when I was in my 20s, so, hey, I'm okay with that. Thanks, cschacher!
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June 28, 2015
Called paradoxical hyperplasia. Reported by zeltiq to only happen in approximately 1/100,000 patients. With more experience with the unit it seems to run an incidence more likely near 1/10,000, but no great studies to prove these numbers. They have a disclaimer in your informed consent for this possible, but relatively rare complication. I'm so sorry this happened to you. That said, looking at your pictures you do still really look great. You look firmer, even though it didn't thin the area.
UPDATED FROM Real selfish
6 months post

Asked for my pictures

Real selfish
It pains me to think I wasted my money on this and I'm still trying so hard to get back to where I was before but I don't see it happening.

Replies (1)

June 25, 2015
Look up hyperplasia. One of the risks of coolsculpting where it makes the fat cells enlarge. I believe lippo is the only way to correct. Get another doctors opinion. Dont let them get away with blaming you for the result. See what others in your place have done about it.
UPDATED FROM Real selfish
6 months post

Pictures

Real selfish

Replies (1)

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August 1, 2015
I am doing Venus freeze now after having cool sculpting. To break the fat cell from cluttering ... Not sure if this could work for you.