POSTED UNDER CoolSculpting REVIEWS
Hyperplasia Disaster - Victoria, BC
ORIGINAL POST
My Zeltiq Cool Sculpting prcedure was an absolute...
Victoria,BCMay 26, 2015
$1,800
My Zeltiq Cool Sculpting prcedure was an absolute disaster. What Zeltiq fails to point out in their product information is a side effect called "hyperplasia". If this happens to you you won't see a possible 25% in fat reduction in the treated area. What you will see is a 30 to 40 % increase in fat. This is not ordinary fat that can be lost with diet and exercise. This fat is very dense, hard and thick. It was so uncomfortable that when I sat I would have to pull my jeans away from my stomach so that the hyperplasia could slide by the top of my jeans. If I didn't do this the hyperplasia would catch and it was painful. This type of new fat is different in that it seems to be attached to the abdominal wall as well as the skin. The only way to get rid of hyperplasia is to go under general anesthesia and have it surgically removed. I had this done. I was under for 90+ minutes. After the surgery my surgeon told me that the removal was much harder than he anticipated.
Now begins my recovery. Along with several new surgical scars I have to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks - day and night. I can only remove it for bathing. The total recovery from the surgery is anticipated between 5 and 6 months and the first month is quite painful.
I took the time to read through Zeltiq's literature and nothing about Hyperplasia is mentioned. I think they do a disservice to their customers by avoiding this serious issue.
In retrospect I do not feel that Cool Sculpting was not worth having, especially with only a potential maximum fat reduction of 25-30%. I should have stuck with my exercise routine a little longer. Now I have the scars to remind me of what I went through.
Is it worth it to take such a risk with your health for such little improvement. The only potential fat reduction will be to a very small area. It's your money and your gamble. If you choose to take the risk with Cool Sculpting I wish you good luck.
Now begins my recovery. Along with several new surgical scars I have to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks - day and night. I can only remove it for bathing. The total recovery from the surgery is anticipated between 5 and 6 months and the first month is quite painful.
I took the time to read through Zeltiq's literature and nothing about Hyperplasia is mentioned. I think they do a disservice to their customers by avoiding this serious issue.
In retrospect I do not feel that Cool Sculpting was not worth having, especially with only a potential maximum fat reduction of 25-30%. I should have stuck with my exercise routine a little longer. Now I have the scars to remind me of what I went through.
Is it worth it to take such a risk with your health for such little improvement. The only potential fat reduction will be to a very small area. It's your money and your gamble. If you choose to take the risk with Cool Sculpting I wish you good luck.
Replies (46)
June 8, 2015
WOW! I'm so glad I read this review. I'm so SICK of doctors not being honest! i had been getting BOTOX and although they give you the literature to read, they dont drive home how it can have very SERIOUS side effects, I experience, blurry vision, inability to urinate and also severe headaches, i also did not know that a side effect could be blindness with BOTOX. So grateful you posted this about the cool sculpting i will NOT be getting it now, i too will stick with my exercise a little longer. Hope you heal fast and look great after eveything you went through.
June 16, 2015
How could we know beforehand if we have hyperplasia. I do agree that doctors should keep their patients informed, but how will future patients know if they have this condition, or not? Good to know. Thanks for the info!
June 17, 2015
I have since found out from my Doctor that paradoxal hyperplasia is more common in men when having a Cool Sculpting procedure. I was also told that they do not know why hyperplasia happens with Cool Sculpting.
February 22, 2017
I've heard that, too. I'm also beginning to wonder if it is, at least partially, dependent on the skill of the person administering it. B/c reading the comments, you see there is at least one person who says CoolSculpting worked for him/her on one area, but, a year later, tried to treat another area w/it and that area developed hyperplasia.
June 18, 2015
I hope the best for everyone who is not feeling so positive about their decision to try CoolSculpting. As for other things like BOTOX, liposuction, or searing or bleeding your face... FORGET IT!!! I am 50 years old, 4'9", 100 bs. I hated the kanga-pouch that I had been carrying around the last 25 years (with no amount of sit-ups, crunches or otherwise helping!), so I decided to check into CoolSculpting. The place I went to in Austin, TX was very thorough about everything, including side affects such as the hyperlasia. Maybe, it depends on the person, or the establishment. I am on Day 5 of my CoolSculpt. Four small applicators, each one hour, one sitting. I am having a numb, tingling sensation, along with itchiness in my ab area, some minor discomfort, but no REAL pain to speak of. I have been using a spanx-type girdle, no alcohol, minimal ibuprofen (like 1 pill/day), and I massage the area gently, to both sooth and hopefully, move the damaged fat cells along their way. I am looking forward to seeing results over the next few weeks. So far, so good! :)
UPDATED FROM Victoria,BC
1 year post
Surgery Update - Re: Cool Sculptin
Victoria,BCJune 7, 2015
I saw the surgeon for a 6 week followup after removal of the paradoxal hyperplasia. Things seem to be progressing but it will take up to 6 months for the inflammation to settle down. The scarring is quite dark and I hope that will change down the road.
On another note, the Doctor told me that he was told by Zeltiq that the hyperplasia problem happens more often than they originally thought. I'm not sure of the numbers but it would have been nice prior to having the Cool Sculpting treatment.
On another note, the Doctor told me that he was told by Zeltiq that the hyperplasia problem happens more often than they originally thought. I'm not sure of the numbers but it would have been nice prior to having the Cool Sculpting treatment.
Replies (28)
June 18, 2015
How long after procedure did you notice hyperplasia? Was this after multiple sessions done sooner than 6 months apart?
June 19, 2015
I did one session. Initially things looked good but by about the 7 week mark my belly started to grow. That was the beginning of the hyperplasia. I waited for about 11 months for surgery. The whole time my stomach just kept increasing in size.
January 22, 2017
Lipo. However, it did not remove all of the hyperplasia. So, I'm left with a thin layer of fat over a bulge of the damaged tissue. It's nowhere near as large, but I can still feel the tissue that is attached to my abdominal wall. Yes, a tummy tuck would get rid of the problem. However, I'm not interested in being cut open and scarred from one side of my belly to the other. Hopefully, another alternative can be found. So far, I haven't found one. Zeltiq covered the lipo surgery but won't cover anything else. In my opinion, they not an honorable company.
August 29, 2015
Thank you for sharing this unfortunate experience. I sincerely hope the follow-up procedure resolves your issue!
September 4, 2015
It is commendable that you have shared this experience.
I really hope things are going better after all of this.
Best wishes!
I really hope things are going better after all of this.
Best wishes!
September 12, 2015
Did the hyperplasia hurt before you realized it was happening? I'm worried it's going to happen to me. I'm at 5 weeks and have new pain and I feel like my stomach is getting bigger.
March 12, 2017
As it was happening to me, there was no pain. I hadn't gained weight but after 5 months, my body had changed and I developed a shelf like bulge of hard fat, exactly where the applicator had been placed. Have you seen a plastic surgeon for an opinion? I've read it can be easier to correct if caught early.
March 12, 2017
What you're describing seems like hyperplasia. It's best to talk to your doctor about this. If it is, surgery, lipo or other, is the only solution. For me, I chose not to be cut open and tried lipo. It got rid of a lot of the hyperplasia, but I still have a hard long lump of fat that is attached to my abdominal muscles.
Lipo will not remove the balance of this tissue on my belly. If I want it gone, I'll have to have it surgically removed.
Lipo will not remove the balance of this tissue on my belly. If I want it gone, I'll have to have it surgically removed.
March 12, 2017
Also, after I had the lipo, my doctor told me that the hard, dense fat was very difficult to remove. He was unable to get all of it. I still can feel this fat that is attached to my abdominal wall. It's uncomfortable, but I'm getting used to it.
The reason that I chose lipo over surgery is that I didn't want a huge scar from one side of my belly to the other.
Please keep in touch and let me know what you choose to do.
The reason that I chose lipo over surgery is that I didn't want a huge scar from one side of my belly to the other.
Please keep in touch and let me know what you choose to do.
March 15, 2017
Thanks, it's comforting to know that it's an actual thing and not just something my body has done to itself. I am deformed and would do anything to have my shape back.
September 12, 2015
Hyperplasia doesn't hurt and you don't feel anything happening but the growth of your belly.. It's just ugly!!!
October 2, 2015
Mine was very painful also, when I got lipo to fix it my doctor told me it was the consistency of rubber
UPDATED FROM Victoria,BC
2 years post
Still a Mess!
Victoria,BCJanuary 23, 2017
I've had lipo to try and correct the problem of the hyperplasia. It's now been over a year post op. I still have quite a bit of the hyperplasia tissue still attached to my abdominal wall. I feel where it's attached anytime I twist and especially when I sit. The hyperplasia tissue catches on the edge of my jeans. It's a weird and uncomfortable feeling. My doctor told me that the only way to remove the rest is to "cut me open across my belly and remove it." I'll be let will a very large scar. Zeltiq covered the lipo and had me sign a release. This was a big mistake because they will not cover any other procedures to correct the damage caused by "Cool Sculpting."
Replies (30)
January 24, 2017
I'm so sorry this was a severe end result of the cool sculpt procedure. May I ask how many treatments you had and how soon after did you notice the opposite effect happening?
I just had one cool sculpt treatment and read your post. Now I'm worried.
I just had one cool sculpt treatment and read your post. Now I'm worried.
January 24, 2017
I had just one treatment. Within 6 weeks, and before my next treatment, I knew that there was something wrong. I could feel a hard lump growing across my belly. My doctor was concerned and suggested that I wait and see before I had another treatment. As I recall, it was about 3 months after the treatment that I was diagnosed with hyperplasia.
I think most people have good results with "Cool Sculpting." However, some of us do not. If after 6 weeks you don't see an improvement, or worse, see the opposite, you should see your doctor. The sooner hyperplasia is diagnosed, and the sooner it's dealt with the better your results should be.
I wish you good luck and good results with your "Cool Sculpting" program.
I think most people have good results with "Cool Sculpting." However, some of us do not. If after 6 weeks you don't see an improvement, or worse, see the opposite, you should see your doctor. The sooner hyperplasia is diagnosed, and the sooner it's dealt with the better your results should be.
I wish you good luck and good results with your "Cool Sculpting" program.
January 24, 2017
Thank you very much for sharing your story, advice, and experience since the problem started.
March 10, 2017
May I ask what Doctor you saw to diagnose the problem. I know the place I went for the treatment will not help me with this.
March 5, 2018
I also had a bad outcome. I should have just exercised. I am going to have kilo to remove this but is there a particular type of lipo that is more effective? So sad
January 27, 2017
Thank you for sharing your story. I am considering getting CoolSculpting done, but I am concerned about the hyperplasia problem because I have PCOS. May I ask if you have PCOS too? I found a report in the medical literature showing that one physicians' practice had noticed that more men than women developed hyperplasia after they did the CoolSculpting procedure, and the doctors surmised that there might be a correlation with male hormones. Due to PCOS causing higher than normal levels of testosterone in women, I was wondering if this might be a factor that makes risk of hyperplasia higher.
Thanks
Thanks
January 27, 2017
No one has ever said anything to me about PCOS so, I can't comment on it.
February 1, 2017
I am going through the same thing . Not had surgery yet , still trying to find the right surgeon. May I ask how the insurance company handled your case ? Thanks
February 1, 2017
May I also ask what type of liposuction you had. I understand that this fat needs to be melted before it is suctioned . Thanks
February 1, 2017
They covered the surgery, but anything else required was at my cost. My doctor told me that he could get all of it in the first surgery. He was wrong. If I had known that I'd be on the hook for anything additional, I would not have signed off with Zeltiq. This was a lesson learned. Don't make the same mistake that I made.
February 1, 2017
Thanks for replying. But if you did not sign , would they have paid anything? Did they cover all cost related to surgery?
February 22, 2017
Hi there,
I just got the release form from zeltiq. DONT like how its worded. Did you just sign yours or was there any negotiating?
I just got the release form from zeltiq. DONT like how its worded. Did you just sign yours or was there any negotiating?
March 15, 2017
If you haven't signed anything as of yet, I'd suggest that you have someone with a legal eye review Zeltiq's release form. Trust me, they aren't doing you any favors.
March 15, 2017
Thank you. I will take my time with it. Have you been able to remove all the hyperplasia ? I am looking into bodytite liposuction .
March 16, 2017
No, the density of the PAH was such that the Doctor was unable to remove all of it with a liposuction procedure. He said that the only way to remove it was to cut me open and remove it. I'm still looking for an alternative to this type of surgery.
Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing once you've had something done. Good luck!
Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing once you've had something done. Good luck!
March 16, 2017
Yes I will. The ps I saw only uses radio frequency bodytite liposuction. He said he has treated one case of pah on a male successfully .
February 9, 2020
Did you wind up doing the bodytite? Did it work? I'm in the same boat, trying to fix my abdomen from the hyperplasia, and it seems bodytite is minimally invasive - but it's not cheap. Looking for some indication of whether it will work.
February 10, 2020
Yes, bodytite does work but it must be done by a very experienced surgeon that can remove all of it the first try.
February 24, 2017
I'm sorry you're going through this. Coolscupt left my abdominal area uneven. I almost went for lipo but decided against it. Hope you will find a solution
March 15, 2017
FYI - If you have PAH, I'd be careful about waiting. If you are like me, you'll find that this abnormal tissue will continue to enlarge. If this is the case, it will make it much harder for the PAH to be removed. I waited quite a while and before I did anything about it and still have some PAH tissue attached to my abdominal wall. It's uncomfortable, and I always feel it. Bet of luck with your situation.
I'm sorry you had such difficulty. Â Thanks for sharing your review.