Tessa Lindqvist, NP
Lead Clinician, Nurse Practitioner
Tessa runs the Contour Consult: the photographs, the measurements, the history and the verdict. She writes the plan and signs it, and she is the one who says no when no is the right answer.
Guide · by Tessa Lindqvist, NP · October 2026
What to expect after fat freezing, week by week.
The first days, the slow middle, the rare risk, and why the twelve-week photographs are the only fair judge. By Tessa Lindqvist, NP.
The short answer
Expect redness, swelling and tenderness for a few days, and numbness or tingling in the area that can last several weeks. Change starts quietly around week four and most of it shows by week twelve, which is when we repeat the photographs. A small number of people see the treated fat grow larger instead of smaller; it is rare, it can need surgery, and you should call us if an area gets firmer or bigger after week eight. Results vary.
| When | What you may notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 to 3 | Redness, swelling, a firm or numb area | Normal; light massage, normal activity |
| Week 1 to 3 | Numbness, tingling, occasional nerve twinges | Normal; call if pain is severe |
| Week 4 to 8 | Gradual softening of the pocket | Second session if planned |
| Week 12 | Most of the change visible | Photographs repeated, side by side |
| Any time after week 8 | The area grows firmer or larger | Call us; a rare risk to check |
What changes it
What changes the result
- Candidacy. A pinchable pocket close to your goal weight responds best; loose skin does not.
- Weight. Gaining weight after treatment can hide the change.
- Sessions. Most areas need two; one can leave the job half done.
- Expectations. It is a modest local change, judged on photographs, not a scale.
Plainly
Why we wait twelve weeks to judge
The body clears the affected cells slowly. Judging at week three is like judging a garden the week after planting. The twelve-week check is in every plan and costs nothing.
When to call
Severe pain, a blister, or an area that grows firmer or larger after the first two months. Call the clinic number; Andre or Tessa will see you, and Dr. Varga is on call.
Author
How long does numbness last?
Often a few weeks, sometimes longer. It fades on its own.
Can I exercise after?
Yes, the same day for most people.
When will I see results?
From about week four, most by week twelve. Results vary.
What is paradoxical adipose hyperplasia?
The rare risk of treated fat growing larger instead of smaller. We explain it at the Contour Consult and on the consent form.
Your next step
Get your own answer, not the average.
The Contour Consult: private photographs, a verdict and a written plan.