All articles tagged with #disfigurement
A jury in Fulton County awarded $56.8 million to the estate of Tony Waldrop, a Vietnam veteran disfigured by a dermatologist's negligent treatment of skin cancer, which led to his suffering and death after years of misdiagnosis and improper care.
A recent report by The New York Times claims that the popular cosmetic treatment CoolSculpting may pose a higher risk for a serious side effect than previously thought. The risk of a possible side effect of disfigurement only correctable by surgery may have been previously underreported. The technology, which uses a technique called "cryolipolysis," may cause a serious side effect known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which is when some of the fat cells enlarge, harden and sometimes take the shape of the applicator. Allergan Aesthetics, the parent company of Zeltiq Aesthetics, which markets and licenses the CoolSculpting devices, says the treatments are able to "freeze" fat away, citing in 2010 that the treatment is a safe and painless alternative to other fat reduction services, like liposuction.
CoolSculpting, a medical device used to melt away fat cells, poses a higher risk of disfigurement than previously reported due to a side effect called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (P.A.H.), which causes fat to grow and harden in the body. More than a dozen dermatologists and plastic surgeons believe that P.A.H. is likely being underreported and misdiagnosed, and often requires expensive surgery to correct. Allergan Aesthetics, the company that owns CoolSculpting, declined to respond to questions from The New York Times.
CoolSculpting, a medical device that freezes fat cells, has generated over $2 billion in revenue, but for some patients, it can result in severe disfigurement due to a side effect called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). Allergan Aesthetics, the company that owns CoolSculpting, claims that PAH occurs in only 0.033% of treatments, but a New York Times investigation suggests that the risk may be considerably higher. The company has restricted patients from talking about the problem through confidentiality agreements and stopped reporting the side effect to federal regulators. Patients with PAH may require surgery to correct the disfigurement, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars and leave scars.
CoolSculpting, a medical device that freezes fat cells, has generated over $2 billion in revenue, but for some patients, it can result in severe disfigurement. The side effect, called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), occurs when the fat grows, hardens, and lodges in the body, sometimes even taking on the shape of the device's applicator. Allergan Aesthetics, the company that owns CoolSculpting, says the risk is rare, occurring in 0.033% of treatments, but a New York Times examination indicates that the risk may be considerably higher. Some patients have had to undergo multiple surgeries to correct the issue, and Allergan has offered to help cover the costs, contingent on signing a confidentiality agreement.