Linda Evangelista underwent ‘painful’ plastic surgery to fix side effects

Court documents in the $50 million lawsuit over supermodel Linda Evangelista’s “brutal disfigurement” have revealed shocking details.

Linda Evangelista underwent multiple rounds of “painful” liposuction surgery to reverse the alleged side effects of a “fat-freezing” treatment gone wrong.

Court documents reveal the 1990s supermodel is seeking US$50 million ($68 million) in damages in a lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics, the company behind Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting procedure.

In an emotional Instagram post yesterday Linda claimed she had been left “brutally disfigured” by the procedure.

The 56-year-old alleges that she developed paradoxical adipose hyperplasia or PAH, a risk she says she wasn’t made aware of before she had the CoolSculpting procedure.

Linda Evangelista at the Ralph Lauren Spring 1997 show in 1996. Picture: PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images.

Court documents seen by People reveal how Evangelista had used CoolSculpting to target and break down fat cells in her chin area, inner things, flanks, stomach as well as her back and bra area, the publication reports.

But a few months after the treatment the supermodel alleges that she “developed hard, bulging, painful masses under her skin”.

In the lawsuit, Evangelista reveals she underwent two rounds of corrective surgery to correct the PAH, none of which worked, Reuters reports.

The procedures, which took place between 2015 and 2016, were to reduce fat on her chin, flanks, back and abdomen.

Linda’s lawsuit claims Zeltiq had at first agreed to pay for the liposuction procedures.

Linda Evangelista in April 2016. Picture: Splash News/Media Mode

But “on the eve” surgery was scheduled to take place, the company said payment would only be given if she signed a contract “to release ZELTIQ from any and all claims and to keep the terms of the Agreement and Release confidential”, the court documents allege.

Evangelista refused to sign the agreement but still had the surgery which required a “lengthy and painful recovery”, with the procedures ultimately unsuccessful.

The lawsuit also claims Evangelista has been unable to earn an income as a model since 2016 and was “forced to decline” a highly publicised 2017 Versace appearance, People reports.

At the time, she had been noticeably absent when fellow 1990s supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni and Helena Christensen reunited to walk the runway at Versace’s Spring/Summer 2018 show.

Linda Evangelista in 1991. Picture: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images.

The supermodel in June 2015. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Fragrance Foundation.

Supermodels rally behind ‘greatest fashion model of all time’

In her Instagram post Evangelista wrote that her PAH had left her struggling not just with the physical side effects but with mental anguish.

“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,” she said.

“In the process, I have become a recluse.”

Supermodels have rallied behind Evangelista, with Helena Christensen commenting that she “broke down in tears reading this”.

“It would’ve taken immense courage and strength to write these words … I knew in my heart you somehow had been quietly going through something deeply personal and disturbing but also because I thought of all the scars life leaves on us all, whether physical or emotional and how long we suffer mostly in silence and alone,” Christensen wrote.

Linda alleges she has become a ‘recluse’ because of the side effects she suffered. Picture: lindaevangelista/Instagram

Other supermodels have rallied behind the ‘greatest fashion model of all time’. Picture: Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images

“Linda — your strength and true essence are forever recognisable and iconic! Bravo!” Cindy Crawford wrote.

“You are loved,” Christy Turlington also commented.

“I applaud you for your courage and strength to share your experience and not be held hostage by it anymore,” Naomi Campbell wrote.

“I can’t imagine the pain you gone through mentally these past five years … proud of you, and support you every step of the way.”

Supermodel Paulina Porizkova also shared an Instagram post dedicated to her friend, who she also labelled the “greatest fashion model of all time”.

“She has bravely come out with her story today, and I want to applaud her and hug her and celebrate her,” Porizkova wrote.

“There was a reason she retired from the spotlight, and for a woman known for her brilliance as a physical chameleon and embodiment of elegance, it was a harsh one.”

Originally published as Linda Evangelista underwent ‘painful’ plastic surgery to fix side effects