You hit your goal weight with dieting and exercise, but you still had some stubborn belly fat that just wouldn’t go away. You didn’t think it was enough to consider a tummy tuck or liposuction, and you couldn’t really take off work for recovery. Instead, you decided on a non-invasive treatment called cryolipolysis, commonly known as CoolSculpting.
But instead of eliminating that fat as it should have, your fat cells expanded, resulting in a condition known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, or PAH. While you may not have chosen against liposuction initially, now it may be your best option!
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a non-surgical body contouring procedure that addresses stubborn pockets of fat in the body. It works by pulling skin and fatty tissue into a specialized applicator and then cooling the tissue to -10 Celsius, causing fat cell crystallization and ultimate disintegration. Once disintegrated, the body removes the waste, and the fat cells are eliminated. While CoolSculpting is effective in most cases, there is a potential complication, known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) that can develop.
What Is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia?
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is a rare complication that occurs after CoolSculpting. While Allergan Aesthetics, the owner of CoolSculpting, reports the risk of PAH is about 1 in 3,000 treatments, a New York Times article talked with numerous doctors who reported that they believe the risk is much higher and often undiagnosed because it can occur months after the treatment and is often not connected.
For those that experience PAH, the fat cells do not disintegrate as expected. In fact, they do the exact opposite and become enlarged. This enlargement happens over time, and, in some cases, does not develop until 6 months after treatment. These enlarged cells often become hard and painful to the touch and can create a boxed shape similar to the CoolSculpting device used for treatment.
Liposuction Provides a Solution
Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia will not go away on its own and requires surgical intervention. In most cases, liposuction can address the increased fat cells but abdominoplasty can be necessary in certain situations. Treatment is best when the affected area has softened, usually within 6 to 9 months of the original CoolSculpting treatment.
If you are experiencing PAH after a CoolSculpting procedure, Dr. Campanile and his team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that will help you achieve the goals you are looking for. To learn more, call 303-345-7476 today to schedule a consultation.
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Author: Dr. Francesco Campanile
Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Francesco Campanile is a cosmetic surgeon in Denver who is focused on body contouring and breast enhancement. Time and time again, the women and men who choose Dr. Campanile say that they’ve found “the whole package” – a doctor who cares deeply about the quality of their results and has the skill to achieve excellence.
