Linda Evangelista Claims Cosmetic Procedure Left Her ‘Permanently Disfigured’
Linda Evangelista explains why she hasn’t been seen much in public in recent years.
The 56-year-old model claimed on Instagram on Wednesday, September 22, that she has been “permanently disfigured” after receiving a non-surgical fat-freezing procedure called cryolipolysis. Linda stated she received Zeltiq Aesthetics’ CoolSculpting, a body contouring procedure that uses cold temperatures to numb the skin.
Linda, who rose to popularity in the 1990s as part of the supermodel scene with Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, said in her post that she has been battling with health concerns for more than five years and has undergone two surgeries to rectify the damage, to no avail.
“To my followers who have wondered why I have not been working while my peers’ careers have been thriving, the reason is that I was brutally disfigured by Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting procedure which did the opposite of what it promised,” she wrote. “It increased, not decreased, my fat cells and left me permanently deformed even after undergoing two painful, unsuccessful, corrective surgeries. I have been left, as the media has described, ‘unrecognizable.'”
As per Linda’s post, she has acquired paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), which has been reported as a side effect of CoolSculpting that includes fat cells multiplying rather than reducing, according to Healthline. It is more of a cosmetic concern than a physically dangerous issue, but it does not go away on its own.
“PAH has not only destroyed my livelihood, but it has also sent me into a cycle of deep depression, profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing,” she continued. “In the process, I have become a recluse.”
As per Eonline, Linda added that she hopes to be able to feel safe in public again one day and that she plans to file a lawsuit, however, it is unclear whether the complaint has been filed yet.
Gwyneth Paltrow, who wrote a heart emoji in the comments section, was one among many who expressed their support.
January Jones also praised Linda for “reclaiming your story” and added, “An icon is an icon is an icon.”E! News has reached out to Zeltiq parent company Allergan for comment but has yet to receive a response.