Satisfied with Results, Scheduled Second Round - Wisconsin

Like most people, I chose CoolSculpting to get rid of fat deposits on my lower abdomen and love handles which were persistent despite weight loss. Specifically, I chose this over other procedures because I could not afford to take the time off work for a procedure and I wanted to do something very discreet. I was in the process of getting a divorce and I did not want my family (esp ex-husband) and friends to know I was having a cosmetic procedure done. CoolSculpting offered me the opportunity to reduce fat permanently without taking any time off work or revealing to anyone that I had "had work done".

My first Zeltiq treatments were done about 6 months ago. I had each side of my waist (love handles) treated and my lower abdomen was treated on both sides. I have since learned that many people have a single large applicator to the lower abdomen, but I was not offered this option. I paid $525 for each area that was treated, thus it was $2100 to treat my love handles and lower abdomen.

It was a rather long day, considering each treatment took an hour. I got sick and lightheaded at the beginning of the fourth treatment. I believe this was because I did not have anything to eat during this long period and being hungry, combined with the moderate pain and the intensity of the treatment was a little overwhelming. Once I ate something, I recovered. I found the treatments were uncomfortable, especially in the first ten minutes and for about 15 min after the device was removed. But they were tolerable. I will premedicate with 800 mg ibuprofen before I do it again. During most of the treatment process, it was minimally uncomfortable. Afterward, the treated areas stung for about 2-3 days and my skin had numb areas for about 2-3 weeks but all of this completely resolved.

I was in the process of losing weight (10 lbs from goal, 70 lb total loss) when I had Zeltiq, so that makes it a little harder to assess how good the results were. But I honestly believe that it made a significant and noticeable difference. I am at my goal weight now and my abdomen is flatter than in the past at this weight. I can also feel a difference in the fullness/density of the fat when I pinch the skin of the treated areas compared to similar untreated areas on my back. That tells me it worked. (I wish they'd done skin caliper measurements or something). I still have some fat there (I am 43 and have had 4 kids and gained and lost 70 lbs, so that is to be expected) but I am very happy with the results. In fact, I have purchased a two-piece bathing suit to wear this summer!

I am scheduled to have another round of Zeltiq next week. This time I am having my upper arms treated and my back waist area. I am also considering one more treatment to the lower abdomen. I will probably do it if I can stand to undergo 6 treatments in one day. I believe Zeltiq has met my expectations and is a good means of reducing stubborn fat deposits in areas that are resistant to weight loss. The estimate of 25% reduction seems about correct to me.

I will add that I actually lost about 5 lbs more awhile back, but decided to put it back on again and to have the Zeltiq repeated instead. That may sound crazy, and I don't mean that Zeltiq is a substitute for weight loss. But getting even thinner was not resulting in the stubborn fat deposits going away. Instead, it took too much away from the places I wanted "curves". My breasts became too thin and "empty" and my buttocks became very flat and even a little "saggy". By putting five pounds back on, I have some shape back (now 5'2" and 125 lbs). My expectation is that the Zeltiq will help achieve localized fat reduction in areas I want to reduce without having to lose all of my desirable curves.

I will post an update after I have the procedure repeated and will share photos if I am able.