Bruising, soreness, and discomfort can occur after a Coolsculpting treatment. Numbness is common and temporary.
Some patients experience little to no symptoms following a treatment, while others are on the opposite side of the scale with quite a bit of bruising and/or soreness.
Bruising can often times be associated with taking medications or supplements, which cause the blood to thin.
You can certainly use Arnica Montana to help the bruising subside a little quicker. There are both topical creams and pills you can take/use. (Vinay Aggarwal, MD, Los Angeles Physician)
Bloating after coolsculpting
Patients may experience some bloating, soreness and swelling after coolsculpting. We often see this 1-2 weeks after a treatment but it may be different for each patient. If you have any concerns you should contact your provider so that they can address your concerns. (Jean M. Casello, MD, Northborough Physician)
Swelling will subside in a few more days
Reaction to CoolSculpting varies and so does tolerance for pain. Your cells are still reacting to the treatment. Was the area massaged post CoolSculpting?
Typically, swelling subsides by Day 10 although there will still be some residual or intermittent numbing, pricking sensation etc.
Some patients report being swollen the day before and waking up to a more defined abdomen just a few hours later. (Justin Harper, MD, Columbus Physician)
Bloating
Bloating is a common, temporary, occurrence after Coolsculpting and will resolve. Depending on the number of cycles you had, or areas treated, the longer you will see some swelling. Give it time, but I would also contact your Coolsculpting provider and let them know you are having these symptoms. (Renee Russell, MD, Grove Family Physician)
While it is not uncommon to have swelling after CoolSculpting if you are concerned that something may not be right, I strongly suggest meeting with the physician who oversaw your procedure. (Brian Biesman, MD, Nashville Oculoplastic Surgeon)
Duration of Numbness and soreness After CoolSculpting
It is common for the treated area to be numb after CoolSculpting. The duration of numbness can vary for each person. Usually the numbness resolves after an average of about 2 weeks, but in some situations we have seen it last as long as 8 weeks.
It should get a little better with each passing day. The large applicator is a 1 hour treatment. The newer 35 minute large applicator has not been released yet. There is a smaller applicator which cuts the treatment time down to 35 minutes.
If you have any concerns you should follow up with your treatment provider. (Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS, Sherman Oaks General Surgeon)
Permanent numbness after coolsculpting, and this should resolve over time.
The larger applicator is done for an hour. There is a new applicator that can do shorter treatments on smaller areas. (Kyle Coleman, MD, New Orleans Dermatologic Surgeon)
Typically is takes about 3 months to see the results of coolsculpting. If it has been several months from your treatment it may be that you need to be treated again with different placement of the applicator. (Jean M. Casello, MD, Northborough Physician)
Results from CoolSculpting
Everyone is different, so there are some people who may be good candidates for CoolSculpting of just the abdomen or just the love handles, and some who would get a better result from doing both.
If you treated just your abdomen, you should see improvement in that area, even if you do not treat the love handles. (Michael I. Echavez, MD, San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon)