Post Treatment Pain is Normal
Experiencing pain after removal of the CoolSculpting applicator is normal. The treated area has been traumatized, so that area can be sensitive.
Furthermore, there’s swelling from the treatment, which can contribute to the discomfort.
Lastly, as the nerves in that area “re-awaken”, they will do what they were meant to do, which is signal pain and discomfort.
You may have also experienced pain and discomfort for days after the treatment. This is also normal. You can experience some residual discomfort for days (and sometimes weeks) after the treatment.
What happens more commonly is that you continue to experience a prickly pinching sensation for a couple of weeks after the procedure. (Garry K. Kim, MD, Pasadena Internist)
Pain with CoolSculpt applicator removal
In my experience, many patients experience discomfort during the removal of the applicator. Every patient has a different pain tolerance.
My patients generally have mild to moderate discomfort during this part of the procedure, but some have experienced it as very painful. (Julie A. Maughan, MD, Ogden Dermatologist)
This is an expected response after removal of the Coolsculpting handpiece. This discomfort should subside within 5-10 minutes after the massage. In rare cases patient’s may experience late-onset pain that occurs a few days after treatment.
If you continue to have pain after the procedure you should call the office you had the Coolsculpting performed. (Lisa Airan, MD, New York Dermatologic Surgeon)
Pain after coolsculpting
Its is quite normal to experience some pain after removal of the coolsculpting device. The massage after treatment adds to this of course but is extremely important in maximizing your results. If it doesn’t settle down before our patients leave the clinic we prescribe a pain medication that can be taken for the first night.
We have not had any patients tell us the pain persisted beyond this. Cool sculpting along with SkinTyte to tighten the skin are excellent non surgical options. An alternative would be ultrasonic liposuction if the fat deposits are large. (Thomas Buonassisi, MD, Vancouver Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Beauty is pain
Every patients pain tolerance is different. It’s estimated between 10-15% of people experience moderate to severe pain.
I can tell you the pain is totally worth it, studies show the massaging improves results. (Narin (Joe) Apisarnthanarax, MD, Houston Dermatologist)
We have found that every patient’s tolerance level is different. In most cases, the massage immediately after the applicator is removed can be quite uncomfortable. Most of our patients will rest for a few minutes following the massage before they attempt to get up because of the discomfort.
We have found that wearing a compression garment right after the treatment seems to help with post treatment pain. (Larry Pollack, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)
Worried because I had no pain or side effects after Coolsculpting
This is the norm for most people. I wouldn’t worry at all. Your results should be normal. The Cooladvantage and Zimmer Z Wave when added give less side effects and better results.
Realself tends to get the people that have more side effects vs the ones that glide right through the procedure. (Steven F. Weiner, MD, Panama City Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Coolsculpting and pain
The amount of pain during or after the treatment does not directly correlate with the results. Give it a few months to see the full effect of the treatment on your body. (Michelle Ellern, DO, Livingston Physician)
coolsculpting selectively freezes fat cells to induce programmed cell death. It is not a painful procedure for most patients. And pain can be a variable experience between different indivuals. You should see a result in the next one to three months.
Give yourself some time to say the effects. If there are concerns after one to three months, please follow up with your doctor. (Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS, Washington Facial Plastic Surgeon)
It is possible to have pain post Coolsculpting. My suggestion is to contact your clinician to see if a prescription for Neurontin (Gabapentin) can be given to you. This is the suggested medication that can help with pain associated with Coolsculpting. (Steven H. Dayan, MD, Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon)
This is a well described phenomenon and responds to topical lidocaine or Neurontin. Using the Z Wave after the procedure or the new Cooladvantage applicators will reduce the chances of having this. (Steven F. Weiner, MD, Panama City Facial Plastic Surgeon)
Some people can develop sharp pain in the abdomen after a CoolSculpting treatment. There is a prescription medication that can normally help alleviate this pain, called Neurontin or Gabapentin.
You should contact the office where you were treated to see if they would like to prescribe this for you. (Michael I. Echavez, MD, San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon)