Case Info
CoolSculpting Fat-reduction Treatment PAH Lawsuit
The non-surgical fat-reduction treatment known as CoolSculpting, has been linked to a severe side effect which causes the growth of bulges, bumps, and hard knots in the treatment area. Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) or Paradoxical Hyperplasia (PH) is the development of new adipose or fat tissue which occurs after a fat-removal procedure. CoolSculpting PAH growths may occur in the shape of the treatment area, resulting in a square or rectangular growth beneath the skin similar to a “stick of butter”. Disfigurement by CoolSculpting treatments is usually permanent unless removed by cosmetic surgery or treatment such as liposuction.
CoolSculpting-related PAH is difficult to ignore and may be costly to treat, resulting in thousands of dollars of additional costs, in addition to the original cost of the fat-reduction treatment. People who developed new growths or were diagnosed with PAH or PH after CoolSculpting treatments may be eligible for compensation.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a cosmetic treatment to reduce the appearance of fat tissue in certain areas of the body. It is a non-surgical alternative to other treatments such as liposuction. CoolSculpting is performed by using specialized equipment and works by freezing targeted fat cells underneath the skin’s surface. Once frozen, the cells burst or shrink and die and dissolved cell contents are filtered out of the body by the liver as waste.
Fat-reduction with CoolSculpting requires multiple treatment sessions conducted over a period of weeks to months. Many people require eight or more treatments, depending on the area treated and amount of fat reduction needed.
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia with CoolSculpting
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) or Paradoxical Hyperplasia (PH) is the development of new growth of fat tissue. In CoolSculpting PAH, the new growth of fat tissue occurs in the same area and often the same shape as the CoolSculpting treatment.
As the wand used to treat the fat deposits projects in a rectangular pattern, new fat growth may result in a area that is square or rectangular, sometimes referred to as a “stick of butter”. Or may simply appear as bumps, bulges, or hard knots beneath the skin.
These disfigurements are considered permanent and are difficult to ignore. In most cases, PAH tissue will require removal through a surgical-type procedure such as liposuction. In some cases, patients with PAH will require more than one procedure to remove PAH tissue.
Allergan Aesthetics, and parent company, AbbVie has claimed that PAH is extremely rare but published studies suggest the risks may be much higher.
CoolSculpting Promoted as Less Expensive Treatment
CoolSculpting is promoted as a fat reduction treatment which is safer and less costly than other methods. It is largely seen as an alternative to liposuction which is considered a more invasive, surgical treatment that is more risky and more expensive than CoolSculpting.
Despite being “cheaper”, each session can cost hundreds of dollars and most people require more than one treatment, potentially many treatments to get the desired results. In addition, actual effectiveness may be lower than expected.
In addition to the costs of CoolSculpting, people who develop PAH and require liposuction, surgery or other treatments to repair disfigurement caused by CoolSculpting will face additional costs which can be much higher.
CoolSculpting Promoted by Celebrities
CoolSculpting has been promoted by celebrities and featured on popular television shows including “Keeping up with the Kardashians” and “The Dr. Oz Show” along with Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness site.
The results of CoolSculpting procedures have also come under fire by some celebrities, including Supermodel Linda Evangelista. Ms. Evangelista has recently announced settlement with Allergan/AbbVie after a lawsuit against the company for disastrous results of her CoolSculpting procedure. Her story was featured in People Magazine and other publications.
After Ms. Evangelista and other reports of PAH’s link to CoolSculpting, other victims may be considering lawsuits against Allergan and AbbVie.
People who were diagnosed with Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) or Paradoxical Hyperplasia (PH) or who developed new bumps, bulges, or growths in the treatment area after CoolSculpting fat-removal treatment may be eligible for compensation.