In an Instagram update on September 22, Linda Evangelista, a renowned supermodel from the 1990s, opened up about her battle with a rare side effect from the CoolSculpting procedure. She described feeling “unrecognizable” and “permanently deformed,” revealing that she underwent “two painful, unsuccessful, corrective surgeries.” Evangelista expressed to her followers, “The reason I have not been working while my peers’ careers have flourished is that I was brutally disfigured by Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting process, which had the opposite effect of what was promised.”
In her lawsuit against the company, Evangelista detailed how, after undergoing treatments for her abdomen, back, inner thighs, flanks, and chin, she developed “hard, bulging, painful masses” in these areas. She was diagnosed with Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) in June 2016.
While over 8 million Americans had tried CoolSculpting by 2019, many remain unaware of its workings or the potential adverse effects, as seen in Evangelista’s case.
What is CoolSculpting and Its Claims?
CoolSculpting aims to eliminate stubborn fat through a method called cryolipolysis, which uses cold temperatures to break down fat cells. Each session lasts about an hour, and results are typically visible within three months. According to Daniel Maman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York, “The cells actually die and are ingested by the body.” A 2009 study showed substantial fat reduction within two months, with up to 25% fat loss noted after six months. However, it’s important to note that CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss solution; it targets specific fat pockets in individuals at their ideal body weight. The procedure is FDA-approved, non-invasive, and ranges from $600 to $3,000, as noted by Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in New York City.
When CoolSculpting Goes Awry
Patients can experience side effects immediately after the procedure or within a week or two, including redness, bruising, and numbness. More uncommon complications can involve hernias or even frostbite. The side effect that affected Evangelista, PAH, is characterized by an unexpected increase in fat tissue in the treated area, occurring two to five months post-treatment. The company notes that PAH won’t resolve on its own and often requires surgical correction. Sadly, surgical outcomes are not guaranteed, as Evangelista discovered after her attempts at full body liposuction left her with scarring rather than relief.
According to Zeltiq, the company behind CoolSculpting, PAH occurs in one in every 4,000 treatments, but more recent studies suggest the risk may be as high as one in 666 patients. In her lawsuit, Evangelista stated she was not informed about the risks of PAH, claiming, “PAH has not only destroyed my livelihood; it has sent me into a cycle of deep depression, profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing.” Dr. Troy Pittman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Washington, D.C., has witnessed PAH several times and cautions that “noninvasive” doesn’t mean risk-free. He encourages careful consideration, stating, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Celebrities, like anyone else, face societal pressures and insecurities about their appearance. Experiencing an outcome contrary to expectations can be incredibly disheartening. Evangelista expressed her desire for a return to normalcy, writing, “I’m so tired of living this way,” and hopes that by sharing her story, she can take the first steps towards reclaiming her confidence. This is a sentiment we can all empathize with.
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