Everything You Need to Know About Botched CoolSculpting Treatments

In recent years, CoolSculpting has taken over the aesthetics industry as a non-surgical fat removal alternative for patients who don’t want to undergo cosmetic surgery. It’s so popular that hundreds of thousands of treatments are performed every year and even celebrities are fans of the treatment – which is why it came as a surprise when Model Linda Evangelista opened up about experiencing profound sadness after a botched CoolSculpting treatment.

So what should patients know about botched CoolSculpting treatments? It’s good to know that these incidents are extremely rare, with only a 0.0051% chance of occurrence. One rare side effect of a botched CoolSculpting procedure is called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) where the treated areas bulge and harden after cryolipolysis. Although this is an extremely rare complication, patients should still be made aware of it before they proceed with the treatment.

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Botched CoolSculpting Jobs Among Celebrities

In September 2022, supermodel Linda Evangelista graced the cover of British Vogue magazine after spending 6 years in hiding as a result of her botched CoolSculpting treatment – which has left her in a deep depression with a “brutally deformed” body. Ms. Evangelista developed paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) after undergoing Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting procedure, a side effect she said she was not made aware of before the treatment.

She filed a case against Zeltiq Aesthetics and sought $50 million in damages since the treatment did the opposite of what it promised. Ms. Evangeslista experienced an increase in stubborn fat cells, which only left her body permanently deformed even after corrective surgeries.

Although this particular botched CoolSculpting case sounds like a nightmare, Allergan Aesthetics claims that what Ms. Evangelista experienced is a rare complication of cryolipolysis that only has an incidence of 0.0051%.

What Causes Botched CoolSculpting Jobs?

Patients should always proceed with caution when trying any cosmetic procedure for their body, so it’s crucial to know and understand what may cause these botched treatments and unfortunate complications.

• Inexperienced providers – The success of the treatment mostly relies on how skilled the provider is. When the plastic surgeon or physician has no idea what they’re doing, then they’re more likely to use the wrong applicator settings or apply it to the wrong treatment area.
  
• Low-quality equipment –  Aside from the experience of the provider, the quality of the equipment is also an important factor for CoolSculpting treatments. Some providers use deceptive marketing practices and low-quality equipment, so it’s always a good idea to ask questions about the device they use.
  
• Unqualified patients – While CoolSculpting works great for almost any patient, it might not be the best option for some. For example, patients who plan to get pregnant soon, have poor skin elasticity, or are diagnosed with cryoglobulinemia should skip this treatment because they’re at a higher risk of developing PAH and other side effects. 

What Happens When Providers Botched CoolSculpting

CoolsSculpting is a relatively safe fat-freezing procedure that doesn’t require plastic surgery. However, some CoolSculpting patients may still experience side effects if their provider botched the treatment because of inexperience or low-quality equipment.

1) Common But Mild Side Effects

Patients may experience a pulling sensation as the treatment area gets suctioned by the applicator during a CoolSculpting procedure, but the treatment area eventually numbs as the skin cools down. Some patients may also feel slight pain, aching, or stinging in the treatment site after the procedure because of the intense cold from the applicator.

Exposure to extreme cold may also irritate the skin, leading to temporary skin discoloration, swelling, skin sensitivity, and bruising. The good news is that these mild side effects typically go away on their own after a few weeks. However, patients should still consult a medical professional if the symptoms worsen or persist.

2) Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia

Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) is an extremely rare side effect of the CoolSculpting procedure, but patients should still be informed about it before the treatment. It’s a condition where the fatty tissue that was supposed to be eliminated during the procedure thickens, causing the treated area to harden like a stick of butter.

According to Dr. Paul Friedman, a laser surgeon and dermatologist based in New York who also authored case studies about PAH, the condition remains to be a rare adverse phenomenon after cryolipolysis. This complication can be avoided with the right equipment and provider, but patients should still be made aware of this side effect.

How to Fix Botched CoolSculpting Jobs

A botched cosmetic procedure is a rare case for CoolSculpting treatments, but it’s still an unfortunate side effect that a small portion of the patients might experience. Although PAH is more of a physical concern than a life-threatening one, patients still seek treatments to fix it and restore their desired figure. Here are two possible ways to fix botched CoolSculpting treatments:

• Laser liposuction – This minimally invasive cosmetic procedure permanently removes fat cells from the body. It utilizes a laser to melt the fat cells while tightening the skin in the treatment area. Once the fat is dissolved, doctors use suction to manually remove the fat cells from the treated area.
  
• Traditional liposuction – This corrective surgery for PAH works great for removing unwanted and hardened fat in the treated area. However, it’s crucial to wait for a few weeks after the appearance of PAH first before undergoing liposuction to lower the risk of the recurrence of PAH.

Can You Avoid Botched CoolSculpting Treatments?

No one wants to spend their time on painful, unsuccessful corrective surgeries after botched CoolSculpting treatments, but the good news is that there are a few ways to lower your risk of developing PAH.

1) Read Up About the Treatment

A patient should read everything they need to know about the CoolSculpting procedure before trying it. This includes how the treatment works, what results and risks to expect, whether you’re qualified for it, and how to take care of the treated area after the procedure. It also helps to research how the CoolSculpting equipment works and how to spot a fake or low-quality device.

Remember that botched outcomes can be a result of the doctor’s inexperience, but the lack of preparedness of patients may also contribute to it.

2) Find a Trusted CoolSculpting Provider

After doing your homework and reading about the treatment, the next important step is to pick a trusted provider who will perform the procedure. A lot of botched treatments occur because of the doctor’s inexperience, so it’s crucial to find the best one in your area.

When consulting a CoolSculpting provider, it’s important to ask about their qualifications, the kind of training they had, their experience in performing the treatment, and the before and after pictures of their previous patients. It’s important that the patient feels comfortable with the doctor because they have to share their personal information during consultation, allowing the provider to determine whether they’re a good CoolSculpting candidate or not.

A reliable provider with lots of CoolSculpting experience and satisfied customers is more likely to help achieve your desired results quickly and safely. They can also recommend CoolSculpting alternatives if the patient isn’t qualified for the treatment.

3) Follow All Aftercare Instructions

Although minimally invasive body contouring treatments like CoolSculpting only require minimal downtime, it’s still important to follow the aftercare instructions recommended by the provider. Doing this allows patients to minimize the risk of complications while ensuring that they achieve the best results. Here are some of the most important aftercare instructions for CoolSculpting:

• Gently massage the treated area after the procedure.
• Apply a warm compress to reduce pain and cramping in the treated area.
• Wear comfortable clothes and compression garments.
• Stay hydrated to speed up the process of flushing out destroyed fat cells.
• Avoid sugars, carbohydrates, processed foods, and alcoholic drinks.

Safe and Effective CoolSculpting by Certified Experts at NJ Center for CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is a safe and non-invasive way to remove fat in stubborn parts of the body and accentuate an individual’s curves. A botched CoolSculpting treatment may leave hardened fat tissues in the treatment areas, but this extremely rare condition can be prevented as long as you get the procedure from a trusted provider like NJ Center for CoolSculpting.

At NJ Center for CoolSculpting, we have a team of well-trained providers who have already performed the treatment dozens of times before. We only use high-quality equipment to ensure the comfort and safety of every client that visits our medical spa. Call us today to book an appointment.

Freeze Away Your Stubborn Fat Like Never Before

Up to 25% Fat Reduction With CoolSculpting: Treat Yourself Today!

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