CoolSculpting® vs. Liposuction: Which Should You Get?
Dealing with stubborn pockets of fat on your body can be frustrating—especially when your diet and exercise routine doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Don’t worry, there’s hope! Surgical and non-surgical options help you slim, tone, and contour nearly any area of your body. All you have to do is choose what’s right for you. Below, we will discuss two popular body contouring procedures, CoolSculpting® and liposuction, to help you make the best decision.
The Pros and Cons of CoolSculpting®
You may have already heard mention of this treatment: CoolSculpting® is a non-surgical treatment for fat reduction and body contouring. No incisions are necessary! But how good is it?
Benefits of CoolSculpting®
CoolSculpting® is not only non-surgical—it’s completely non-invasive. There are no cuts, scars, or even needles necessary. This is a massive plus for many patients who understandably want to avoid any pain or are reluctant to deal with downtime that often comes from minimally invasive treatments.
CoolSculpting works by rapidly cooling down the treatment area, which effectively freezes fat cells so the body can eliminate them.
Treatment time per area is 35 minutes. There is minimal pain, no downtime, or recovery process. Some patients even schedule their CoolSculpting® treatments during their lunch breaks.
Possible Cons of CoolSculpting®
If you are looking for instant results, CoolSculpting® might not be for you. Results can take weeks to appear, as it takes some time for fat cells to be eliminated naturally by the body.
Additionally, this gentle treatment means it may take several sessions of CoolSculpting® to reach your desired goals. The amount of sessions will entirely depend on the size of the treatment area, the amount of necessary revision, and your plastic surgeon’s advice.
CoolSculpting® is often recommended for patients seeking a mild to moderate treatment of pesky fat pockets. It is not meant as a weight loss solution. You should be close to your ideal weight, looking for a finishing touch on those stubborn areas.
The Pros and Cons of Liposuction
Liposuction is the tried and true body contouring procedure that eliminates stubborn pockets of fat across multiple body areas. Patients can have the procedure on the arms, legs, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, hips, chin—pretty much anywhere there are pockets of unwanted fat, liposuction can help.
Benefits of Liposuction
In addition to the versatility of the procedure, when an experienced plastic surgeon performs it, liposuction can help contour the treatment area rather than simply remove fat. Your plastic surgeon will skillfully move the cannula to remove fat while creating a sculpted and slimmed result.
As far as surgical procedures go, liposuction is relatively painless with a forgiving recovery period. The process involves minor incisions, just large enough for the cannula to be inserted, which are then carefully closed. Recovery involves wearing a compression garment, maintaining suture care, and getting some rest. Patients experience some bruising or swelling.
Like CoolSculpting®, liposuction offers permanent fat removal—the fat cells in the treatment area will not return.
Additionally, liposuction can treat a larger area than CoolSculpting® for a more comprehensive treatment. Typically, patients only need one session per treatment area.
Possible Cons of Liposuction
The number one reason most patients choose CoolSculpting® over liposuction is the possibility of scarring. Any time an incision is made on the body, there is a possibility that you will have scars. While liposuction offers small incisions with easily hidden scars that will eventually fade, many patients don’t want to run that risk.
Additionally, liposuction involves some form of anesthesia, either general or local. For patients adverse to anesthesia, this could be a considerable drawback.
Lastly, surgical procedures of any kind require some amount of downtime and recovery. Most patients can return to work after liposuction after a few days, especially if their jobs don’t need much physical activity. But if you are looking for something quick that can be done on your lunch break, liposuction might not be for you.
Choosing the Right Treatment for You
Both procedures are excellent methods of slimming, contouring, and smoothing various areas of the body. To determine which is best for you, consider your goals, the size of the treatment area, and what aspects of the procedures are most appealing.
A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Doezie will help you determine your procedure’s best course of action. Expert advice and experience with both methods can give you the best idea of how to achieve your goals.
Interested in Body Contouring in Orange County, CA?
To schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Doezie, call Mission Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center today at (949) 481-9850 or complete our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!