CoolSculpting…My Personal Experience as a Patient

Three weeks ago, I finally relented and got my CoolSculpting done. I have a “Body Mass Index” (BMI) right around 25 (border of normal to overweight) and always had a bit of love handle that would spill over on my flanks. To be honest, I would imagine most people would have a similar amount of love handles unless they were built up like the Hemsworth brothers.My nurse and CoolSculpting coordinator sized me up and figured out the best applicator to use for my flanks. We all decided that while the right flank may get away with just one session, the left side definitely would need two sessions. We also all agreed that based on my age of mid 50’s, any more sessions after that probably would be nonproductive when factoring in limitation of my skin elasticity as well as my less than ideal spine posture, a by-product of having to bend my back performing surgeries and procedures daily for the past 25 years. We all chuckled that If only I can straighten my posture like a ballroom dancer, sagging skin and fat over my flank already would look 20% better!

Appropriate markings were made and the applicator was placed for optimal fat reduction as well as to facilitate easier placement of the applicator for the next session. Right flank was done first, followed by the left flank. Each side took about 35 minutes and during the surgery, honestly, there was some coolness, tingling, but not much discomfort at all. Once the applicator was removed I felt both cold and numb immediately. Over the next hour, the coolness disappeared and mainly had some numbness, tingling, and dull discomfort for the remainder of week. There was a bit of redness to the overlying skin which all but disappeared the following day.

I don’t have a high pain tolerance since I usually ask for a butterfly needle whenever I get blood drawn for my annual check up. Anyway I didn’t have to take any Tylenol or Ibuprofen for any discomfort following the procedure. In fact the next day, I even played 9 holes of golf after work. It has been three weeks and I can still barely feel a bit of residual numbness and tingling, especially when doing my morning stretches. The jury is still out as to how much fat reduction I am going to enjoy, but just eyeballing the area, I already feel better and my pants seems to fit over my flanks a bit more foregivingly, especially with straightening out my poor posture…. still no comparison to Chris Helmsworth, unfortunately….

I know it is going to be a subtle change, but I also know that no matter how much I work out, it will be nearly impossible to get rid of my flanks. And honestly this has been the only area which has been an eyesore for me. Lying down on my comfortable procedural chair and going through some of my favorite vintage car websites for a little over an hour while the CoolSculpting applicators work on my fatty flank is as close to the proverbial “magic wand” when comparing to any other alternatives out there… at least, for now. How amazing is technology! I am really looking forward to my next session in about two months.

Unfortunately, just like anything that seems too good to be true, CoolSculpting is not for everyone and really comes with a lot of catch and consumers need to be fully apprised of the wonders as well as the limitation of CoolSculpting so they can make the best choices. When you come in for a consultation, my CoolSculpting team and I will discuss with you all the options that best fit your lifestyle and goals and if indicated, customize the optimal CoolSculpting package to rid of your stubborn fat pockets.