Remember my previous visit to Astique? I mentioned that I’ll be doing Zeltiq Coolsculpting on my tummy to reduce the fats on my tummy! It has been three weeks after my treatment, so I’ll share about my experience here!

Zeltiq Coolsculpting is basically fat freezing that uses the patented Cryolipolysis technology which is the only FDA approved fat-freezing technology. To simplify everything, Cryolopolysis freezes our fat cells, causing cell death, without doing damage to our other body tissues. The dead fat cells will then gradually leave our body via our lymphatic system, in the form of urine and stools.

I know there are many fat-freezing deals at really low prices out there, but do take note that the machine used is most likely not the FDA approved Zeltiq Coolsculpting. Also, consultations and treatments might not be done by a qualified doctor, settings on their machine may not be right, so why risk yourself just to safe some money? 

As you know, Zeltiq Coolsculpting is a medical device, hence it is absolutely essential to consult a qualified doctor prior to getting the treatment. I had a consultation session with Dr Celine Leong a couple of weeks before my treatment. She has to access if I am suitable for this procedure or not, as this procedure to not suitable for everyone. Luckily (or unluckily) for me, I am very suitable for Zeltiq Coolsculpting as I have large amount loose fats in both my tummy and thigh areas. She also told me that about 20-30% of the fats will be reduced in just 1 treatment!

I came back on another day for my treatment. I was given a pair of black disposable shorts to wear over as I was wearing a dress that day.

Before the treatment, the therapist briefed me on the procedure again, and also used a white pencil to draw and explain to me where she will be placing the device. I will be doing a 2 area treatment on my tummy, on the left and right of my belly button. Each area will take exactly an hour with the machine. Now is the only time, and hopefully the last time you will ever see these tummy fats!

I was then seated on this wide chair which can be inclined at many different angles for my comfort. Firstly, the therapist applied some serum and a gel patch on my treatment area which is to protect my skin from the freezing.

Next, she placed the machine applicator over the first targetted area (my right side) that is marked out previously and applied suction. I was shocked that there were actually so much tummy fats, so much more than I can ever imagine. More than two handfuls, I must say. They all went into the suction device in seconds, and at that moment, I actually felt a little uncomfortable as the device is a little heavy. I was advised that this is very normal and I will feel numb after a couple of minutes after the therapist start the freezing on the Zeltiq Coolsculpting machine.

Luckily for me, there is this huge U-shaped cushion that is placed under the suction applicator, so I felt a lot better even before I became numb.

The therapist then covered me up with blankets and adjusted my seat to make me comfortable for the next one hour.

The therapist was very kind to prepare warm water and hot milo for me! She also left a walkie talkie beside me, which I can use to call for help or ask for more water, etc. If you are there alone, do make sure your phone/ipad is fully charged or bring along a book! You may also take a nap of course, if you feel comfortable enough to do so. Luckily for me, I have the MFP girls accompanying me and chatting to me the whole time, so I didn’t get bored.

After an hour, the therapist came and removed the applicator. This part is super uncomfortable!! My tummy was practically a frozen and hard piece of meat (or ham), just look at the photo!! I was pretty freaked out to be honest. I was thinking, “oh my god, what if this lump stays here in this shape forever?” It was a mixture of numbness and slight pain as the therapist massaged the area for a couple of minutes until my tummy doesn’t look like a lump anymore, just slightly pinkish. I actually did some research online, people call this effect “a slab of butter” and this supposedly means better results in the months to come. Hopefully that is true!

Luckily for me, there was still time that day, and the therapist did my second area after the first, on the left side of my belly button. I went through the same process, plus another one hour of waiting. I left the clinic feeling fine, and my tummy was just slightly pinkish and cold. I was advised that there might be detox effects for a week or two, and I should drink lots of water to “wash” the dead fat cells out of my body. Also, results will start to show after about three months.

I will recommend you to do multiple treatments on the same day, as this means that you’ll only go through the recovery phase (or side effects) once. I am pretty sensitive and the recovery phase was far from enjoyable for me.

I started to have some side effects on the next day. My tummy swelled up very badly (I looked 3 months pregnant), and it felt really really numb. The nerves in my tummy area went crazy too, it was very sensitive and painful even when the cloth of my dress brush past my tummy slightly or when i touch my tummy. On top of the nerve pain, my tummy was also hard and painful from the inside. I know I don’t even sound logical, how can it be numb and painful and sensitive at the same time right? But that was really the case for me, and I was very worried. Luckily for me, Astique has a 24-hr sms hotline, so I sms-ed them about my situation and they assured me that this is normal during recovery.

I will not say that there is no downtime, but it is possible to go on with my daily life after the treatment. I definitely can’t walk as quickly as before due to the pain, I can’t sit down comfortably, I can only fit into super loose dresses, I can’t hug my boyfriend, and my tummy hurts after meals (I believe it might be swollen on the inside too, hence less space for food). However, I was able to go to work and to go for dates, despite struggling with the discomfort. Everything only started getting better gradually after a week or so. At three weeks now, there is still a tiny bit of discomfort and pain, but my tummy is back to my original size.

I am sharing about my side effects not to scare you all or to discourage you from doing the treatment, but to let those who are going for this procedure to be mentally prepared (unlike me). No pain, no gain, right? I am thankful that the side effects are almost all gone now, and I am looking forward to see the results two to three months later! Bye bye, tummy!

Astique
350 Orchard Road
#08-00 Shaw House
Singapore 238868
(Within Asiamedic Specialist Centre)
Tel: +65 6732 3801 24hr SMS: +65 9857 7892
Email: enquiry@astiqueclinic.com