CoolSculpting has left thousands devastated by Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)—a permanent, life-altering, body disfiguring condition that causes fat growth instead of elimination in the treated area. Marketed as a safe, non-invasive alternative to surgery, CoolSculpting providers have betrayed consumers by failing to warn them of this serious risk or negligently downplaying the risk. PAH always requires surgical intervention, sometimes involving multiple costly surgeries to remove the scar like tissue. We demand action from AbbVie, Allergan Aesthetics, Ideal Image and other Coolsculpting providers as well as the American Med Spa Association, the FDA, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the state of CT medical board and the state of CT Attorney General William Tong to protect consumers and provide justice for victims.

The Problem

1. PAH Risk is Downplayed: While marketed as rare (current underreported inaccurate number not even shown is stated to be 1 in 3,000 Cycles), PAH statistics are misleading. The risk is calculated per treatment cycle, not per patient, which hides the true prevalence. Advertising often uses vague wording like “visible enlargement,” avoiding the term Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia, leaving consumers uninformed.

2. Victims Left Unsupported: AbbVie’s Cool Confidence Financial Assistance Program offers up to $7,500 total for surgical correction—but only if victims sign NDAs and waive their rights. The cap doesn’t account for the cost of multiple surgeries, leaving victims financially burdened and silenced.

3. No Transparency About Recalls: Providers like Ideal Image were informed of voluntary recalls of CoolSculpting applicators linked to increased PAH risk, but patients were never notified.

4. Lack of Medical Oversight: Many providers fail to follow up with patients after treatment, leaving victims to discover PAH on their own months or even years later if at all. PAH cases are underreported as med spas will gaslight PAH victims into thinking they gained weight and may even go so far as to recommend more Coolsculpting cycles to PAH victims.

Our Demands

We, the undersigned, call on AbbVie, Allergan Aesthetics, Ideal Image, and all CoolSculpting providers to:

1. Disclose Accurate PAH Risk:

• Include PAH prevalence per patient in all marketing and explicitly name Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia in risk disclosures.

• Clearly explain that PAH will require surgical intervention to correct.

2. Reform Financial Assistance "Cool Confidence" Programs:

• Remove NDAs as a requirement for financial assistance.

• Cover all costs for surgical corrections and related expenses.

• Extend the claim window beyond one year from Coolsculpting procedure to account for delayed diagnoses.

3. Improve Reporting: Report PAH cases on a per-patient basis to the FDA and make this data publicly accessible.

4. Notify Patients About Recalls: Ensure all consumers affected by voluntary recalls are directly informed of increased risk of PAH (retroactive notifications)

5. Mandate Follow-Up Care: Require providers to follow up with patients post-treatment to monitor for adverse effects.

How You Can Help

• Sign This Petition: Demand action from AbbVie, Allergan Aesthetics, Ideal Image, and CoolSculpting providers.

• Share Your Story: If you or someone you know has been affected, share your experience in the comments or join our private support group and/or public side effect information group:

• PAH After CoolSculpting Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GmNhsbt71/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• CoolSculpting: Side Effects & Information: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/183zYU1hrR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Together, We Will Make a Difference

This fight isn’t just about PAH victims—it’s about challenging corporate greed, holding med spa & providers accountable, and demanding ethics and transparency in the beauty industry. Let’s protect future consumers from preventable harm.

#CoolSculptingPAH #PAHAwareness #PeopleOverProfits #StopCorporateGreed #ParadoxicalAdiposeHyperplasia