Linda Evangelista, one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, has spoken out about a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that left her disfigured and emotionally scarred. The former supermodel said the treatment, intended to eliminate stubborn fat, changed her life forever.
CoolSculpting Procedure Leads to Permanent Side Effects
In 2015, Evangelista underwent CoolSculpting, an FDA-approved body-contouring treatment that freezes and eliminates fat cells. The procedure is often marketed as a safer alternative to liposuction. But for Evangelista, it went terribly wrong.
Instead of reducing fat, the procedure caused her body to develop hardened and enlarged fat in areas such as her abdomen, thighs, and underarms. These changes were the result of a rare side effect known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a condition that affects less than 1% of patients.
“It left my body extremely deformed,” Evangelista told Harper’s Bazaar in a recent interview.
Emotional Toll and Therapy
The emotional impact of the procedure was profound. Evangelista admitted she struggled to look at herself in the mirror.
“I had to undergo treatment to like myself in the mirror, but I still don’t look in the mirror,” she said. “I don’t want to see myself because I don’t love myself and I don’t like myself.”
Through therapy, she has made progress in accepting her body. “I’m working on it, trying to like myself, with my flaws and my strengths, and trying to love myself,” she shared.
Reflecting on the Decision
Evangelista also spoke about her past views on beauty and cosmetic treatments.
“I always used to ask myself, ‘If you knew this magic potion would have these consequences, would you still drink it?’ Obviously, you wouldn’t because you’ve seen the consequences,” she said.
Still, she admitted that if there were no risks, she would consider cosmetic procedures again. “If there were no consequences, if you could afford it, of course you would drink this magic potion… and other people had used it successfully,” she added.
Legal Action and Settlement
In 2021, Evangelista revealed her condition publicly for the first time through an Instagram post. She explained she had been hiding her appearance for years. In the post, she said CoolSculpting had left her “permanently disfigured.”
That same year, she filed a $50 million lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc., the company behind CoolSculpting. She claimed the side effects prevented her from working after undergoing seven sessions between August 2015 and February 2016.
Evangelista was later officially diagnosed with paradoxical lipohypertrophy (PAH). This rare reaction causes the treated fat cells to grow larger instead of shrinking, creating visible and lasting changes to the body’s shape.
The legal case has since been settled. Details of the settlement remain confidential.
Accepting Aging and Looking Ahead
Despite the trauma, Evangelista said she is slowly learning to embrace her appearance and is now more accepting of aging.
“I don’t care how I get older,” she said. “I just want to age slowly. Not gracefully. I really, really, really don’t want to die. I still have so much to do. I’m finally happy with myself and everything, and now I want to enjoy it all.”
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