Discomfort is a subjective thing to describe.
There are so many things that can contribute to the way that a person describes their discomfort.
Everyone’s response to pain is different and can be influenced by many factors, including the area that is treated and the way that they support their body during the healing process.
Compression garments can often help you to feel more comfortable, as can antiinflammatories and curtailing more strenuous activities if they cause significant discomfort.
Everyone structures their recovery differently and these subtle differences can impact the way that they feel as they are recovering from their treatment. (Emily A. Williams, MD, Spokane Plastic Surgeon)
Everyone is different
how much time do i need for recovery? – everyone differs in their pain tolerance, cold tolerance, etc. with this device, most people have mild discomfort but not true pain.
Burning Pain After Coolsculpting
i had the procedure done myself and was out hiking the next day. so it is definitely different for different people. (Eric Chang, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Pain thresholds differ in patients despite the therapy whether CoolSculpting or surgery
Some people are built differently than others. They may have greater density of nerve endings, or their central nervous system processes the pain differently. They may be thinner or the attachments that hold the skin down to the muscle layer may be more sensitive to pulling, or the nerve endings may be more sensitive to freezing.
Fortunately the pain that one may feel is temporary. During the treatment it only lasts for the first 5 minutes or so.
Coolsculpting Pain How Long
What are the after effects of CoolSculpting?
As with any procedure the degree of discomfort can vary from patient to patient. No two people experience things exactly the same. Even things such as how well prepared the patient is explained to what to expect will affect their interpretation of the experience.
Finally, the size of the applicator will also impact on the patient’s experience. There are three different applicators avaialbe and the use of the large applicator seems to result in a higher incidence of post treatment discomfor.
However, it is important to realize that the overwhelming majority of patients tolerate this procedure with only a temporary numbness and achiness. It is not common that patients request a prescription strength pain reliever and in most cases any discomfort will spontaneously resolve within 10-14 days. (Ted Brezel, MD, Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon)
What About Pain AFTER CoolSculpting
Inadequacy of CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is an outdated treatment. It takes 60-90 minutes, can be painful and can produce prolonged numbness. SculpSure is a recent innovation in fat treatment technology. It takes 25 minutes, is painless and has no numbness.
SculpSure is the only FDA-approved laser to provide the quickest, most effective treatment (25-minutes; melt 25% of unwanted subcutaneous fat) and easiest recovery (none). Patients complete the treatment and walk out of our office ready to resume their ordinary activities.
I suggest you consult a board certified facial plastic surgeon because the board certified credential ensures you receive the highest quality knowledge, treatment, care and skill available.
A consultation provides you the opportunity to relay your concerns and desired outcome to the surgeon while the surgeon can assess your health profile and discuss his/her pertinent advice. (Ross A. Clevens, MD, Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Pain during and after CoolSculpting
During the treatment you could experience discomfort with the pulling, tugging feeling of the suction. However, severe pain should not be reported. After the treatment, bruising and tenderness are normal expectations that can last for a few days.
Patients experience pain differently because each person’s tolerance is different. Also, how the body responds is different. (Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS, Bay Area Plastic Surgeon)
Why Do Some Coolsculpting Patient Report Little Pain and Others Report Severe Pain?
Just like anything else, people have different pain tolerances. For instance, patients that we see for breast augmentations, typically can have surgery done on a Thursday and be back to work on Monday. However, there are a small minority that will have to take a week or 2 off because they have a lower pain tolerance.
CoolSculpting vacuums the fatty tissue into an applicator and the first 8-10 minutes can be uncomfortable and for the majority is tolerable. The 50 minutes of the treatment afterwards are comfortable. Immediately after the treatment, the applicator is taken off the treatment area and the skin is cold and it feels solid.
The provider then has to massage the area for 2 minutes. This part of the treatment can also be uncomfortable – an example could be like when your hand falls asleep and you try to rub it to get the circulation back into it and it can feel a bit uncomfortable.
For most patients, they will feel a sensitivity to touch at the treatment area sight for a few days, but it can last several weeks for some. Again, the pain level is totally based on the patients own pain tolerance. (Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)