Supermodel Linda Evangelista — who was once one of the most photographed women in the world — has said she has been left "permanently deformed" after undergoing a cosmetic procedure known as CoolSculpting or cryolipolysis.
Evangelista was known as one of the top models of the '80s and '90s and regularly appeared on the covers of fashion magazines.
She revealed that she has developed paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) in an Instagram post published today (September 23).
CoolSculpting is a popular non-surgical procedure, which aims to spot reduce stubborn pockets of fat.
However, a very rare complication of the treatment is referred to as PAH, which causes the opposite result- an overgrowth of fatty tissue, per Kalos. It can appear around 8-24 weeks after the procedure and results in the treated area becoming noticeably enlarged and hardened.
In an Instagram post, which was captioned, "#TheTruth #MyStory", the 56-year-old said that developing the condition has "destroyed my livelihood" and sent her into "a cycle of deep depression", which has made her become a "recluse".
"Today I took a big step towards righting a wrong that I have suffered and have kept to myself for over five years," she began.
"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."
Evangelista then explained that despite attempts at corrective surgery, the situation had not improved, writing:
"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'.
"I have developed Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia or PAH, a risk of which I was not made aware before I had the procedures. PAH has not only destroyed my livelihood, it has sent me into a cycle of deep depression, profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing. In the process, I have become a recluse."
She concluded by hinting that she is now taking legal action, and that she would like to live a life free from shame.
"With this lawsuit, I am moving forward to rid myself of my shame, and going public with my story. I’m so tired of living this way. I would like to walk out my door with my head held high, despite not looking like myself any longer."
VT has approached the company behind CoolSculpting, Allergan, for comment.