Coolsculpting vs Liposuction

CoolSculpting and liposuction are two distinct fat reduction procedures aimed at removing unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Many patients tend to be confused about which procedure to choose between the two for more effective results. The fact is that each patient has different needs and in different physical condition, and the choice of procedure must be determined according to what is more appropriate for a particular patient.

Liposuction has been around for many years, and patients generally have a better understanding of this procedure for fat reduction. CoolSculpting, in comparison, is a fairly recent technology that many patients may not be very familiar with. An experienced cosmetic surgeon will usually explain the various available treatment options, including both liposuction and CoolSculpting, and engage closely with the patient to decide the best option in that case.

Invasiveness of the Procedure

Many patients are motivated to avoid surgical alternatives to reduce fat, but they are not willing to compromise on the results and wish for a solution that provides them effective results without the hassles of a surgery. For such patients, CoolSculpting is a more appropriate procedure compared to Liposuction. CoolSculpting is a revolutionary non-invasive technology to reduce stubborn layers of fat in specific areas using a unique cooling process. The procedure reduces the bulges in the targeted areas without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure does not involve any downtime or any risks typically associated with surgery.

Liposuction, on the other hand, is an invasive procedure. It must be performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon only. The procedure involves all the requisites of a surgery, including anesthesia and an operating room. While CoolSculpting does not involve any downtime, liposuction will require the patient to rest and recover for a few days before resuming normal activities. Risks that are typical to any surgical procedure are also there in the case of liposuction. The recovery period may be longer, depending on the extent of liposuction performed.

Procedure

In case of liposuction, a cannula is inserted underneath the skin through incisions made by the surgeon. The excess fat is broken up and sucked out from the targeted area. Liposuction procedure is designed for patients who are not excessively overweight, but suffer from excess fat deposits in specific areas of the body. Depending on the number of areas involved and the amount of fat to be removed, liposuction procedure may be performed in parts, in order to ensure patient safety.

In case of CoolSculpting, the procedure is simpler and involves no incision or surgical intrusion in the body. A non-invasive applicator is used to deliver a controlled amount of cooling to the targeted area. The underlying fat cells are frozen by this process, leaving the surface skin tissue entirely unaffected. The cooling process gradually cuts down the fat layers in a natural way. The reduction in fat cells is achieved more naturally over a period of time, and not suddenly overnight.