Cosmetic surgery specialists investigate claim against Berkshire clinic for woman who suffered extensive burns from fat freezing procedure

Posted: 01/08/2016

The cosmetic surgery team at Penningtons Manches LLP has been instructed to investigate a potential claim against a clinic in Berkshire on behalf of a woman who experienced severe burns across her abdominal area following fat freezing treatment.

The claimant had previously undergone treatment without any complications, but on this occasion she noticed that the treated area was colder than usual following the procedure, describing her skin and the tissues underneath as being like a “block of ice”. The treated skin subsequently blistered, leaving painful and raw skin exposed and causing the woman to require medical treatment which is still ongoing.

Fat freezing, or ‘cryolipolysis’ as it is technically called, is marketed as a non-invasive, painless procedure that gently and effectively removes fat from targeted areas of the body. The treatment is performed using applicator cups which cool the targeted tissue at a certain temperature in order to break down the fat cells for easy removal. The procedure has been approved for use in the UK as a safe and effective treatment for nonsurgical fat reduction without causing any harm to the surrounding tissue.

Elise Bevan, a solicitor in the cosmetic surgery team at Penningtons Manches, said: “We are still at the early stages of investigating this case. Fat freezing is known to be a relatively low risk procedure, provided it is performed correctly by an appropriately trained practitioner. What has happened to our client suggests that the treatment on this occasion has not been carried out with sufficient care. We are also aware of other reports of people suffering burns following this procedure which has led to permanent scarring.”

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