Coolsculpting Update – One Month Later and Cramping Pain
Last month, I shared about my upcoming coolsculpting procedure. Now I’m back with an update, one month later!
THE PROCEDURE
I’m sure the first thing you will want to know is if the procedure hurt or not, right? Well, hurt, no, but it was a little uncomfortable at first. There was intense pulling of the treated area for about 5 minutes, then numbness took over from the cooling process. Once it was numb, there wasn’t any pain. I was actually tweeting and updating on Facebook during the treatment!
I had three areas treated on my stomach, with one hour per treatment, so I was at Mariposa Med Spa for three hours. During the treatments, I was able to work on my laptop, listen to music, and relax. The staff even brought me coffee and water to my room. 🙂
RECOVERY
After the treatment, my belly was red, swollen and numb, but I was able to drive home just fine. A few hours later, I was pretty sore, very swollen, numb in some areas, and had trouble bending over and reaching. The next 3-4 days, it was pretty much the same as far as soreness and numbness.
Once I reached day 5 or so, I started having stomach muscle cramping, much like labor contractions. Once the cramping became non-stop and pretty uncomfortable, I called Mariposa and they suggested OTC pain reliever to relieve the pain. When that didn’t seem to do the trick, I tried applying a heating pad to my stomach, but that seemed to aggravate the area even more. I then attempted a makeshift ice pack and that made a world of difference. I ended up purchasing a couple of large ice packs with ice pack belts that I could wear while resuming regular daily activities. (I would alternate each pack so I always had one ready to wear) I had the stomach cramping until Day 12 or so, but this is not the norm. In fact, of the 60 or more patients that Mariposa Med Spa has treated, only around 3 have had severe cramping like I did. Needless to say, recovery will vary from person to person, but should not be painful. If it is, I highly recommend an ice pack to take the edge off. I believe that Biofreeze would be a great option, too.
ONE MONTH RESULTS
Honestly, I was starting to get a little discouraged on my results after week 3. My stomach had gone done to its original size and lost the numbness, but I was ready for it to start shrinking! Surprisingly, at week 5, I quickly started seeing an overall flattening of my stomach. My pants started to fall down, too. I went in for my one month follow-up appointment and when compared to my before pictures, there was already a big difference! I look less bloated and flabby.
The best part? I still have a month to go for even more results! Maximum results take place anywhere from 2-4 months, so I’m excited about the next few months!
IS COOLSCULPTING WORTH IT?
Even at the one month mark, I say yes. I had some recovery woes, yes, but it was nothing compared to what a tummy tuck surgery recovery would have been. There was absolutely no cutting or lasers involved in my treatment, yet I’m seeing amazing results.
WHAT YOU NEED TO RECOVER COMFORTABLY FROM COOLSCULPTING
I have put together a list of items that helped me get through the recovery and pain after coolsculpting. I hope it helps you, too!
Have questions about CoolSculpting? Feel free to leave a comment here and I’ll get back to you.
99 Comments on “Coolsculpting Update – One Month Later and Cramping Pain”
I forgot to mention i chose this procedure because it was way cheaper then the coolsculpting. I got a Groupon got a great deal.
Hi there! Thanks for your article I found it very helpful, curious to ask you how are you doing now? Is it permanent results?
I’m going in for my initial consultation in 2 days!! Your pic looks great!!
Cheers,
C.
This is an old blog post but it is one of the first results in google when you search for coolsculpting blog review. I’m a guy and had coolsculpting done just over 2 weeks ago now. I had minimal bruising that went away after 4 days or so which really surprised me. The pain was minimal and I’ve had no pain at all the last week. Before that it was very light pain and only when I put pressure on the area. If I push on the area now, I get light pain. I had the flanks and stomach done, 4 applicators. Both flanks that did at one time (2 machines) and the stomach was overlapping so they did one at a time. On just over week 2, I see no results but the results aren’t supposed to show up until week 5 or 6 so I’m not worried. We’ll see how well it works. I am very fit but just had a small bulge around the stomach and flanks I wanted to get rid of. Dieting would not get rid of it.
Maybe I’m the odd one out but my procedure was excruciating for the first 5 minutes. Done just 5 days ago, I’m so discouraged and feel a bit mis-lead. The treatment was discribed as ‘intense’ by the technician. I’ve had 4 babies without anesthesia so I think my pain threshold is considerable but the suction was as painful as the worst labor! However, after 5 minutes, I was ok. 5 times with (not large) applicator. Sore swollen, bruised and like many others, the nerves are rebelling at mutiny level. Wasn’t given a lot of info about that other than feeling like i was sore from a workout. More like a work over. Losing sleep but must work. Compression wasn’t mentioned but I find it helps. Warm bath eases pain temporarily. Wish I’d been handed the post-procedure info at my initial consultation. Guess they are afraid they wouldn’t see me again… and they wouldn’t have. Vacation coming up 3 weeks post treatment. I would certainly have waited if not passed on the treatment altogether. Wearing fat clothes. Praying this pain eases up soon. I may feel differently after a few months but right now, I’d give it a big thumbs down.
I had he CoolSculpting done at the end of December. I have seen no difference in my stomach area. I measure it every day. I have a high tolerance to pain, but this was absolutely awful. I have a scar from a previous surgery that runs down the middle of my tummy. It became very swollen after the procedure. It ached day and night. I had a huge difficulty wearing pants. Sleep was hard to come by because of the pain. I cannot imagine having relations with your husband during this time. “Don’t touch my stomach!”
In fact, that was my mantra for all of January and February. Around the very end of February, I can finally wear pants. I paid for more procedures, but I am going to ask for a refund. It isn’t worth it, especially since I see no difference in my stomach area, and it was so extremely painful for so long. It really wears on you. Good lucky people if you decide on this procedure.
i had coll sculpting two areas of my stomach on February 21, 2018 and it seems like I have gained weight I have been working out three to four days a week and been watching what I eat did anyone else have this problem and will it change.
Sorry I meant to say cool sculpting this Andrea again
I had cool sculpting done 2 wks ago and I wish I had looked into it more. I had my abdomen done and I was in pain from the beginning. Now I have lumps in my right side and am more swollen than the onset. I still can not wear regular clothes and just having anything against my stomach is uncomfortable. The Drs office has been supportive, but I keep thinking that something isn’t right. I have had three foot surgeries and only taken Advil. This has been worse! Had I known I would have never done it. I hope it changes.
Hi, thanks for your comments, now I know I’m not the only one experiencing cramps. I had cool sculpting done 3 weeks ago. I have done it before but this one has been the most painful and I am sure it is because they used the large applicator and in the lower abdominal area which seems to be the most painful.
Hope that the pain goes away and I will see the results.
It seems that the cramping isn’t a common reaction, but it certainly was for me as well. Very, very painful! An ice pack was the only relief I got from it.
I had CS done 3 weeks ago and I still have numbness and soreness. I was very swollen the first couple of days and used the binder daily which did help. I just want to know when this numbness and soreness will go away. I have a follow-up appointment in a few weeks but not sure I see results yet. I was told between 1-3 months so I will patiently wait. Glad to have found this blog 🙂
I had cool sculpting done 2 weeks ago
Inner outer thighs… my shorts are tighter
Is this right
Has anyone had a second cool sculpting in the same area of their body and seen results that would mean it is worth it? I had the first cool sculpting procedure in early December of 2018 on my lower and upper abdomen. I was not in terrible pain but it was no picnic either. And, as we all know, it is pretty expensive! I am not sure there is any imporvement – pretty much think my stomach is the same (now that the swelling has receded) or that there is just the slightest improvement. If someone has had a second cool sculpting and has thoughts on it PLEASE share them with me! Thank you.
Hi there. I am exactly 2 weeks post procedure, having had 6 areas. Upper abs lower abs and love handles. I have had the nerve pain on and off the entire time with the worst being around day 7. My question is, how long do you stay swollen and bloaty feeling? I almost feel like my stomach is bigger now than before.
Honestly, I think it took about 2 weeks before I felt totally pain-free and normal. 🙁
I had 3 applicators on my stomach and the massage part at the end was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I cried and almost passed out from the pain. Hate that this is described as “just uncomfortable.” I was excited to do other parts of my body but will not be doing this again. I’m on day 5. Have some stinging during the day, but an ice pack helps. The pain from that massage is definitely as bad as labor. This needs to be made known to people.
I had 2 applicators on my stomach 6 days ago and I agree with Brittany — the massage part at the end was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced and thought I was going to pass out. The first 8 minutes each applicator was on I thought I was going to throw up from the pain……I too have had a baby and nothing about labor or pregnancy compared to this. My stomach is very bloated still…I’m also sore. Not so sure I would have followed through with this procedure has I known it was going to be so painful. I look like I’m 5 months pregnant due to the swelling — way bigger stomach now than before the procedure. I also had extreme cramping for almost 8 hours after the procedure. Never thought I would say this, but I would rather be in labor and deliver a baby instead of feeling like this. I am going to give it a chance and try to be patient but that was pure HELL and I never want to experience it again.
Hi Amy. You are absolutely correct about maximum results being fully visible after a good 2-4 months. We offer CoolSculpting at our MediSpa in Chennai, India and this is the same thing we tell all our customers too. Is there a follow up to this post? Did you document final results? We would love to see how it went for you. Cheers!
I had the procedure done yesterday and it was not bad at all for me. The worst part was the first five min and then after that, I didn’t feel anything – the massage part felt weird but mainly b/c it was numb. I am very bloated/swollen today. Stomach is sore, but not unbearable. I am hoping that I don’t experience the day 5 pain like most people experienced. I usually have a very high tolerance for pain do fingers crossed. I am hoping to see some results in a few weeks, even though they won’t be major, a little bit would be nice = my follow up is in August – they like to wait 3 months before second treatment.
I felt obliged to comment as I’ve had this treatment every year for the last three on my stomach and sides/flanks.
This probably goes to show it doesn’t work but my I’ve also gained weight over this period.
On my second time, I got the stomach cramping and actually thought it was a really bad period– that’s how I’d describe the pain. I didn’t get this on the first or third time! I’d recommend a higher temperature for longer to minimise the risk of this. My provider didn’t think the colder temperature had anything to do with it but it seems coincidental!
As for the flanks/sides, I’ve had quite bad bruising here both times. It’s completely aligned to the shape of the rectangular cup so you couldn’t possibly pretend it was something else.
This time, I’m using and taking Arnica, alongside Bromelain and Quercetin with Vit C. It was annoying to spend more money but I’m seven days out now and the bruising is healing much faster than last time, even though it was worse bruising this time. It’s now almost concealable with make up.
Hope this helps someone somewhere!
p.s. can’t believe they gave you coffee during your treatment. You shouldn’t be ingesting anything during treatment, let alone coffee!
Hi I’m going to get my club lk e chin done in a few days but have started reading all these horror story’s of server nerve pain. Has anyone had under there chin done? Is all this cramping and pain only associated with abdomin and thigh area?
Thanks
I had cool sculpting done over three years ago and I believe I have PAH and now my self esteem has went from on a scale 1-10 to a 5. I can’t even suck in my bulge and it’s very noticeable, when before the procedure I could get away with it.. Is there an exercise or other home remedy that I can do to get rid of this problem. I could barely afford the first and it was a present HELP ME SOLVE MY PROBLEM..WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS..I FELT LIKE THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RELIABLE $
I had coolscupting done 7 days ago and it has been a horrible experience. My advice due to the swelling do not get this done during tthe summer months. If i would have known the pain was this bad i prob would not have done it. My swelling went down and i am back to my orginal size. Seeing myself bloated actually made me appriciate my orginal size. I hope i have a speedy recovery because i dont think i can take this pain anymore.