Supermodel Linda Evangelista is done "hiding in shame".
The fashion icon claims a CoolSculpting procedure “permanently deformed” her.
In a new interview with
People, Evangelista has posed for photos for the first time in five years.
Speaking to the publication, the model said: “I can’t live like this anymore, in hiding and shame. I just couldn’t live in this pain any longer. I’m willing to finally speak.”
It is believed Evangelista has a condition called paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. This rare complication of CoolSculpting occurs when a treated area becomes hardened and visibly enlarged.
According to reports, it only affects 1% of CoolSculpting patients.
Evangelista explained that she started to notice changes to her body three months after her procedure.
She said she started dieting and exercising to amend the problem, but nothing helped.
The model was diagnosed with paradoxical adipose hyperplasia in June 2016.
Her doctor told her that dieting and exercising won't fix the condition. She is now suffering from “chafing to the point of almost bleeding”.
The 56-year-old said it was time for her to speak out because she was tired of hiding in shame.
"I have become a recluse"
"I’m not done telling my story.
"I will continue sharing my experience to rid myself of shame, learn to love myself again, and hopefully help others in the process."
Last September, Evangelista opened up about her ordeal. She said she looked unrecognisable.
https://twitter.com/Miki_Trent/status/1493964744465727500
"It increased not decreased my fat cells and left me permanently deformed even after undergoing two painful, unsuccessful corrective surgeries.
"PAH has not only destroyed my livelihood, but it has also sent me into a cycle of deep depression."
The model said she is also currently dealing with "profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing".
"I have become a recluse," she admitted.
A representative for CoolSculpting told People:
It "has been well studied with more than 100 scientific publications and more than 11 million treatments performed worldwide".
Feature Image: People
