CoolSculpting/Zeltiq™™ - Related FAQ's

Q: I had a blood clot in my leg last year and I have been taking a medication called Coumadin to thin my blood so the clot won't happen again. Meanwhile I have been trying to exercise to get back in shape. My love handles won't go down and I read about CoolSculpting. Can I have this Zeltiq treatment even though I take Coumadin?

A: Although the company won't approve this specifically, as they hadn't tested the treatment on patients during the FDA trials, I doubt there would be a problem. If the blood thinning levels of the Coumadin, which is measured by INR usually, hasn't changed and is in the norm for you, then CoolSculpting is probably fine to do. Check with your primary care physician or internist / cardiologist. There is usually a significant amount of bruising with CoolSculpting because of the suction, generating a negative pressure and helping induce transport of red blood cells across the capillary wall into the dermis. For those patients who take Coumadin, they would have to be prepared that their bruising might be much worse than normal. Doubt a hematoma (collection of blood) would occur, but cannot guarantee that it wouldn't develop.

Q: I had a baby via a caesarian section 10 months ago and can't get rid of my lower belly. Can I have CoolSculpting?

A: If your lower abdomen is extending forward because of muscle weakness and there is not much fat between the skin and muscle, then CoolSculpting will not help you. If however, there is such an accumulation, and the stomach wall can withstand the negative pressure of the Zeltiq suction, then you might be a candidate. You would need to be examined and you should check with your gynecologic surgeon who performed the delivery.

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