POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting REVIEWS
28yo Female, 125lbs, CoolSculpt for Upper Arms
ORIGINAL POST
I have always been pretty fit, eat healthy,...
WMBCApril 3, 2018
$2,000
I have always been pretty fit, eat healthy, exercise regularly - but I've never liked my upper arms. I have large arms that are hereditary and have always felt that they're disproportionate to the rest of my body. I chose CoolSculpting after reading reviews and viewing photos on this site as well as speaking to the director at my Med Spa. I had CoolSculpting done one week ago, so the verdict is still out on whether it was 'worth it' for me, but I wanted to share my review of the actual procedure.
I went in with the plan of having 2 areas done, just one medium applicator on the back of both my arms, but after speaking with the doctor I chose to have 4 areas treated - 2 medium sized applicators on the back of my upper arms, and 2 small applicators right above my elbows to remove the little fat pockets I've never liked when my arms are resting at my sides. She marked up my arms as I was standing in front of a mirror so I could see the actual areas that were to be treated and then I got cozy in a reclining chair. The application did not hurt at all. She applied two large gooey patches on my upper arm area and then strapped the applicators on. I felt a slight suction and cold (as if my arms were resting on ice packs) and then after about 5 minutes I felt nothing. I rested like that with my arms over a pillow on my lap for about 35 minutes while I watched TV.
The worst part of the whole procedure was when they took the applicators off. She had me lift my arms up and rest my hands behind my head while she very vigorously massaged the treated areas for about 2 minutes on each side. The shock of the aggressive massage and the heat of the room on my frozen arms made me feel dizzy and very hot, like I was going to pass out. I am on a very low sugar diet right now which she said probably caused that. Make sure your blood sugar level is normal and that you have a good meal before you go in for treatment. She put an ice pack on my chest and gave me an apple juice and fruit snacks to eat. I was MISERABLE for 4 minutes, which seems so short, but in the moment it was awful. Probably a 7 on the pain scale and I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance. After 4 minutes I was fine and she placed the small applicators above my elbows for round 2. It hurt just as bad when they were removed for the 2nd time but I knew what to expect and I felt like I dealt with it a bit better. She was very sweet and understanding and I never felt stupid or rushed out of the room at the end. She encouraged me to take as much time in chair as I needed before I left.
I went right back to my routine afterwards. I had a massage scheduled for that night and I asked the masseuse to avoid my arms, but even though she forgot a few times and started to massage them, they were fine. The skin was numb to the touch and just under the surface my arms felt bruised, but that was it. I went back to exercising the next day. Over the past week my arms have felt pretty bruised and the skin is still numb, but I haven't needed any Tylenol (which is all they recommend taking if you need something). I did have a small hickey-like bruise on the back of one arm (about 1.5" diameter) and a few pinprick-looking bruises, as well as some swelling on days 2-6, but nothing to write home about.
The only BEFORE photos I have are the ones the Doctor took so when I get those I will post. The photos I posted are one week post procedure. My arms are still a tiny bit swollen and bruised in these. I'll continue to update periodically as I start to see some results!
I went in with the plan of having 2 areas done, just one medium applicator on the back of both my arms, but after speaking with the doctor I chose to have 4 areas treated - 2 medium sized applicators on the back of my upper arms, and 2 small applicators right above my elbows to remove the little fat pockets I've never liked when my arms are resting at my sides. She marked up my arms as I was standing in front of a mirror so I could see the actual areas that were to be treated and then I got cozy in a reclining chair. The application did not hurt at all. She applied two large gooey patches on my upper arm area and then strapped the applicators on. I felt a slight suction and cold (as if my arms were resting on ice packs) and then after about 5 minutes I felt nothing. I rested like that with my arms over a pillow on my lap for about 35 minutes while I watched TV.
The worst part of the whole procedure was when they took the applicators off. She had me lift my arms up and rest my hands behind my head while she very vigorously massaged the treated areas for about 2 minutes on each side. The shock of the aggressive massage and the heat of the room on my frozen arms made me feel dizzy and very hot, like I was going to pass out. I am on a very low sugar diet right now which she said probably caused that. Make sure your blood sugar level is normal and that you have a good meal before you go in for treatment. She put an ice pack on my chest and gave me an apple juice and fruit snacks to eat. I was MISERABLE for 4 minutes, which seems so short, but in the moment it was awful. Probably a 7 on the pain scale and I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance. After 4 minutes I was fine and she placed the small applicators above my elbows for round 2. It hurt just as bad when they were removed for the 2nd time but I knew what to expect and I felt like I dealt with it a bit better. She was very sweet and understanding and I never felt stupid or rushed out of the room at the end. She encouraged me to take as much time in chair as I needed before I left.
I went right back to my routine afterwards. I had a massage scheduled for that night and I asked the masseuse to avoid my arms, but even though she forgot a few times and started to massage them, they were fine. The skin was numb to the touch and just under the surface my arms felt bruised, but that was it. I went back to exercising the next day. Over the past week my arms have felt pretty bruised and the skin is still numb, but I haven't needed any Tylenol (which is all they recommend taking if you need something). I did have a small hickey-like bruise on the back of one arm (about 1.5" diameter) and a few pinprick-looking bruises, as well as some swelling on days 2-6, but nothing to write home about.
The only BEFORE photos I have are the ones the Doctor took so when I get those I will post. The photos I posted are one week post procedure. My arms are still a tiny bit swollen and bruised in these. I'll continue to update periodically as I start to see some results!
UPDATED FROM WMBC
28 days post
4 Week Update
WMBCApril 25, 2018
Everything seems to be going really well. The skin on the back of my arms is still numb to the touch, but I was told that will take awhile to go back to normal. Other than that I have had absolutely no sensitivity, I've been able to exercise regularly, and sleep just fine. I've had no twinges or shooting pains like others have written about.
I hadn't noticed any major changes until I put my before and after pics next to each other and then I could see a little difference! It's not huge but it's something. Hoping that they continue to shrink over time. Full transparency - I have been eating really well and doing high intensity workouts 3 times a week since January so I'm sure that is helping a bit as well.
I'll keep posting updates as we go!
I hadn't noticed any major changes until I put my before and after pics next to each other and then I could see a little difference! It's not huge but it's something. Hoping that they continue to shrink over time. Full transparency - I have been eating really well and doing high intensity workouts 3 times a week since January so I'm sure that is helping a bit as well.
I'll keep posting updates as we go!
Replies (3)
June 3, 2018
Was there any added progress after 8 weeks? I have a similar situation to your “before” photos an am considering this procedure
Replies (6)