Linda Evangelista and Fat Freezing – let’s talk about it.

Linda Evangelista has filed a lawsuit against Zeltiq, a company that licenses machines used for a procedure called ‘CoolSculpting’ which is fat freezing.*

CoolSculpting (or cryolipolysis / fat freezing) is a process that freezes fat cells, causing them to die and then metabolised by the body. The technique is a popular alternative to liposuction as it is non-invasive, low-risk and no recovery ‘down time’.

Fat freezing has a rare side-effect called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) which is a process in which fatty tissue actually grows, instead of shrinking, in response to fat freezing.  Areas affected by PAH often look like raised fatty tissue, and they tend to be firmer to the touch than surrounding fat. 

PAH most frequently occurs three to six months after a fat freezing treatment. A confirmation of diagnosis is usually via needle biopsy where the fat cells are examined under a microscope, however an enlarged visible change in the area affected are often a clear indicator of the very rare adverse event. Another possible side effect from fat freezing is subcutaneous induration – where the skin becomes thicker and harder to the touch.  This skin thickening is not usually evident to the naked eye. Neither of these conditions – PAH or subcutaneous induration – have any negative health impacts. They are not in any way dangerous to your health. 

The manufacturer of CoolSculpting machines puts the risk of PAH at 0.025% per cent. While PAH is not common, it can pose a significant problem for those who are affected. * 

In her lawsuit, Linda Evangelista alleges she experienced PAH after undergoing multiple CoolSculpting procedures between 2015 and 2016 to reduce fat on her thighs, abdomen, back, flanks and chin. She claims she was not informed of the risks and that corrective surgery was unable to fix the issue. *

It is very difficult to place an informed opinion on this case without knowing the details. Did she sign a consent form? Was PAH disclosed as a risk on that consent form?  Did she wait the recommended 12 months before having the liposuction performed? Has she had any sort of surgery or treatments on these areas in the past – which may have changed her natural response? 

If PAH is suspected – it often occurs 3 -6 months after treatment – and liposuction is the only known treatment to remedy it. The current recommendation is that the liposuction should not be performed for at least 12 months after the PAH has developed.

At Beautiful Body Clinics we follow a strict procedure of making sure all of our clients are made aware of the rare-risk of PAH and other side effects before starting any treatment. During the consultation, we are there to answer any questions our clients may have regarding this and it is mandatory for our clients to sign a consent form before treatment is started.  

In the very rare instance that PAH should occur – (we would assist you in helping obtain a diagnosis) it is our policy to offer a full refund. 

The manufacturer of the equipment we use in the clinic – Clatuu – states that there is only one known and proven case in Australia of PAH from the use of their equipment to date (24/2/22). With the thousands of treatments performed every day with the Clatuu fat freezing machines through the National large beauty chains like Body Catalyst and the independent clinics like ours, we believe that this one known occurrence would be far less than 0.025%.

Fat freezing treatment at Beautiful Body Clinics

We specialise in fat freezing treatment as we believe that fat freezing is the most effective and cost-efficient way to permanently change your body shape. 

As with all medical treatment – there are certain risks. The beauty of fat freezing is that there are none of the other  risks associated with surgery (liposuction or abdominoplasty) nor the general  risks of a general anaesthetic. Fat freezing also requires no time off work for recovery. Simply your body slowly metabolises and eliminates the dead fat cells slowly over the following weeks. 

We offer free consultations in our fat freezing Melbourne clinic – so please click here or give us a call on 1300 BODY NOW (1300 2639 669) to book and let us start you on the way to find your beautiful body.

Author’s Bio:

Linda – (Bachelor of Nursing) had over 10 years of hospital and surgical work experience as a Registered Nurse (1994 – 2007), and was a busy working Mum when she established Australia’s first Fat freezing Specialised clinic in Melbourne – Beautiful Body Clinics Fat Freezing Specialists. This was after personally experiencing the life-changing results of fat freezing (also called Cryolipolysis or Coolsculpting) when she was unable to get rid of her tummy despite a healthy diet and a frequent exercise program. You can contact her here directly, linda@beautifulbodyclinics.com.au

*The following article was used for certain references throughout this blog post: https://www.mamamia.com.au/linda-evangelista-2021-coolsculpting/