A Tennessee woman named Coneigh Seay-Dial says a cosmetic procedure she underwent in 2019 has left her dealing with years of unexplained pain, physical changes and mobility problems. She claims the treatment itself was more painful than she expected, especially when the applicators were removed, and that complications she later developed were not disclosed to her beforehand. Her account has drawn wide attention online after she detailed the situation in a viral video, raising questions about long-term risks tied to a widely marketed procedure.
The video was posted to the TikTok account notconeighscauldron and has been viewed more than one million times. In it, Seay-Dial describes her experience with CoolSculpting, a noninvasive treatment that uses controlled cooling to reduce fat cells. She said she researched the procedure ahead of time but was not warned about the complication she says she eventually developed.
In the years following her treatment, Seay-Dial says that she noticed weight gain along with a hardening around her abdomen, which she initially assumed was just a normal change in her body. Even though her extra weight was gone, her core remained hard and painful. Later, she came across information describing paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), a known complication in which treated fat cells expand rather than shrink, forming a firm bulge in the area.
A clinic allegedly dismissed her concerns for months before she sought legal help, and she says she has also run into obstacles trying to obtain her medical records and pursue compensation. Seay-Dial estimates that corrective treatment could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, and she is aiming to raise around $120,000 to cover surgery, possible repeat procedures, travel and lost wages.
She says the condition has limited her ability to walk and exercise and has led to back and posture issues. Her claims about the clinic and companies involved have not been independently verified based on the information available.
Tennessee Woman’s Ordeal Chills Internet Commenters
The video sparked a strong reaction, with many commenters saying it made them wary of ever getting cosmetic procedures done. Some questioned how the treatment could be marketed as safe if complications could surface months or years later, while others encouraged Seay-Dial to pursue legal action, with some suggesting the case could grow into a class-action lawsuit. One user wrote, “This could be a Netflix special. Run it by them, because people need to know!”
Several commenters said they had industry ties. One person who said they used to work at Ideal Image claimed the experience made them uncomfortable enough that they started warning clients about the risk. Another said their med spa already warns customers about the complication and offers corrective plastic surgery if it happens. Other viewers offered sympathy, with one saying they had gone through the same complication themselves, and others cheering her on even though they could not donate.
Many commenters also wanted to know more about the condition, asking whether the fat could eventually return to normal and why the tissue hardens the way it does. The Tennessee woman responded with her own explanation and noted she may need more than one procedure to fully correct it. Turns out “freezing” your fat can apparently backfire in ways nobody puts in the brochure.
