Coolsculpting vs liposuction – Which is Right for You?

CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, is a FDA-cleared medical procedure that aids in the removal of unwanted excess fat cells which are located under the skin. This procedure can also be referred to as a lipofreeze method. This procedure can work on fat areas located in the following areas of the body:

• under the chin
• under the jaw line
• thighs
• abdomen
• bra fat
• back fat
• buttocks
• upper arm
• flanks/sides
• Hips
• Knees

This procedure is a safe and effective fat eliminating process which does not require surgery. This is the only procedure that is FDA cleared as a fat reduction treatment. This treatment targets certain areas of fat on the body that dieting and exercising are resistant to. The process will cool the body down to a freezing temperature at the targeted zones.

Who Can Perform CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is performed either by a plastic surgeon, or other licensed practitioner authorized to perform this procedure.

What Does the CoolSculpting Procedure involve?

CoolSculpting involves the use of a special tool that will freeze the area of the body that contains fat cells under the surface. The special tool is similar to a large or small paddle, which is connected to a hose that provides the extreme cold temperatures to your treatment areas. These devices consist of two panels containing three thousand sensors per side. This freezing method kills fat cells in the area that has been frozen. At the end of the session, the area that was frozen is gently massaged. Once the fat cells have been frozen and die, within a few weeks, these cells are broken down and flushed out of your body through your liver.

Does CoolSculpting procedure hurt?

Some people experience some discomfort during the procedure, such as:

• intense cold
• cramping
• stinging
• aching
• tugging
• pulling

These discomforts usually only last until the treated area becomes numb, around 5 to 10 minutes. Some people can even nap during their treatments.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

Normally the procedure takes one to two hours.

What is the Recovery Time After the CoolSculpting Treatment?

As CoolSculpting is not a surgical or invasive procedure. There is no recovery time involved. The body simply rids itself of the dead fat cells within a few weeks.

How Effective is CoolSculpting?

The safe medical procedure of CoolSculpting is effective in reducing approximately 20 to 25 percent of fat cells in the treated area. This is not a treatment for obesity. It is a procedure which targets certain areas of the body to eliminate fat cells under the surface of the skin. It is a great way of sculpting your body and enhance its shape.

Are There Any Side Effects From The Procedure?

As with any medical procedure, CoolSculpting can cause several side effects. It may not be the right procedure for everyone.

Some of the reported side effects are:

Common Side Effects

• experience the feeling of tugging or pulling- during procedure- one to two hours
• aching, pain, or stinging at the treatment area- soon after procedure-can last up to 11 days
• swelling, redness, bruising and skin sensitivity at the treatment area – caused by exposure to cold temperatures- can last for a few weeks

Rare Side Effects

• Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia- occurs when the fat cells actually increase in size as opposed to dying off and being expelled by the body. This condition is not a dangerous side effect, and it is more of a cosmetic side effect.
• Freeze burn
• vasovagal symptoms
• hyperpigmentation
• subcutaneous induration
• hernias

Is CoolSculpting Safe?

As with any medical procedure, there are always risks involved. People with the following health conditions should not do CoolSculpting as they can experience serious complications:

• cold agglutinin disease
• cryoglobulinemia
• paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
• Prior to any procedure, you should always speak to your family practitioner.

How Much Does CoolSculpting Cost?

CoolSculpting costs approximately $550 to $2000 per session. The cost varies depending on the area of your body that requires treatment.

Conclusion

Once you have spoken to your family doctor and determined that you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting, you will find this procedure is a great alternative to other fat eliminating procedures. The fat cells that have been frozen during this procedure will never return. This is due to the fact that the body eliminates the frozen fat cells.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is often referred to as lipoplasty, lipo, lipsculpture, and lipectomy. This cosmetic surgery involves breaking up the fat cells and sucking them out of the body. Liposuction is not a procedure used to treat obesity. It is a cosmetic surgery used to remove body fat deposits in certain areas on the body. This treatment is used to contour and enhance the shape of the body. Liposuction can remove fat from the following areas:

• Inner thighs
• Outer thighs
• Abdomen
• Back
• Buttocks
• Upper Arms
• Chest
• Hips
• Inner knees
• Flanks
• Under the Chin
• Neck area

How Does This Procedure Work?

During this cosmetic surgery process, a hollow instrument called a cannula is inserted under the skin. Once this has been done, a high pressure vacuum is attached to the cannula, and the fat cells are sucked out through the cannula.

Who Can Perform This Surgery?

Liposuction can be performed by many doctors. They may be plastic surgeons, dermatologists, general surgeons, or other doctors. It is highly recommended that you do some research to find out if the doctor performing your surgery has been trained properly to perform this procedure safely for your own personal safety.

What Can I Expect After the Liposuction Surgery?

Depending on the technique that was used, the results and aftercare will vary.

• Anesthetic- those who may have received a general anesthetic may be required to stay overnight in the hospital
• Antibiotics – may be given immediately after the procedure
• Support bandages – fitted for the area treated
• Stitches – the number will depend on the area treated
• Painkillers – given to help with inflammation and pain
• Numbness – can last between 6 to 8 weeks
• Bruising – in the treated area, significant bruising can occur

What Are the Results I Will See?

Until the inflammation goes down, it is difficult to see the results from the procedure. It takes about 4 weeks for the swelling to go down. The overall visual results will make the area of treatment appear less bulky. Sometimes when Liposuction is performed fat may distribute in other areas, however, if you maintain a good weight the fat that was removed should be permanent.

What Are the Risks Involved With Liposuction surgery?

Any procedure or surgery carries a number of risks. The risks involved with Liposuction can vary depending on the technique that was used. Common risks are:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anesthesia reactions

Other risks, complications, and side effects can include:

• Thrombophlebitis – blood clots
• Inflammation – severe inflammation can take up to 6 months
• Severe bruising – can last up to several weeks
• Skin Infection – may occur and may be treated surgically – risk of scarring
• Numbness – temporary numbness remains after the procedure
• Contour Irregularities – skin can appear bumpy, wavy or withered if your skin lacks elasticity, or the wounds heals differently, or if the fat has been removed unevenly
• Internal Organ Punctures – occurs very rarely
• Pulmonary embolism – fat can travel to the lungs through the blood vessels and block the lungs circulation
• Allergic reaction – to any materials or medications used throughout the procedure
• Skin burns – burns to the skin or nerves can be caused by the movement of the cannula
• Pulmonary edema – fluid may accumulate in the lungs from the fluid which is injected into the body
• Death – a small risk of death can be as a result of anesthesia

What is the Cost of Liposuction?

Depending on the area of the body being treated, this surgery can cost between $2000 and $3,500.

CoolSculpting vs Liposuction

Once you have made the decision to make some changes to your body by eliminating fat deposits and reshaping or resculpting your body, it is very important to determine if you are a candidate for surgery or a procedure. It is recommended that you see your family physician to discuss what your plans are and to undergo a medical examination. When you have been medically cleared to proceed, then lies the decision of which procedure would best suit your needs. Currently, the two most popular methods of fat removal are CoolSculpting and Liposuction. Prior to making the leap, it is essential that you do a lot of research on both methods of CoolSculpting versus Liposuction.

Which Procedure involves the least amount of risks?

CoolSculpting is a non surgical procedure which poses less risks than a surgical procedure. Liposuction is a far more aggressive surgical procedure which poses a much higher level of risk. Liposuction procedures can cause life threatening issues and the use of anesthetics runs the low risk of death.

Which procedure is less invasive?

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure which uses a method to freeze fat cells that will be naturally eliminated from the body. Whereas Liposuction surgery is an invasive procedure where the fat deposits are surgically extracted from the body by a selection from various methods.

Which Fat Eliminating Method Has Fewer Side Effects?

CoolSculpting has much fewer side effects as it is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure.

Which Procedure Has The Best End Results?

Depending on the results you are looking for, the CoolSculpting procedure eliminates fat cells in the targeted area and do not grow back. While Liposuction also removes fat cells, however, not following a healthy lifestyle runs the risk of the fat deposits returning.

Which Procedure is More Cost Effective?

The cost of each procedure will vary on the number of areas that need to be targeted and how many sessions you will require. Overall the cost of Liposuction can be a more expensive route to take.

Laser Lipo vs CoolSculpting

Laser Lipo and CoolSculpting are similar in the fact that both procedures are safe and effective methods used to remove fat. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure while laser lips is a minimally invasive method of Liposuction. Both procedures have the least amount of side effects compared to other procedures and surgeries. While CoolSculpting requires no downtime, laser lipo may require a few days. The cost of both methods is comparable, laser on average costs $2,500 to $5,450, while CoolSculpting on average costs $2,000 to $4000. Both methods are equally effective. Both methods can keep you looking slim.

Making The Choice

A lot of people struggle with the exact type of problem that CoolSculpting is able to assist with. It can be difficult to make a choice when there has been a lot of disappointment in the past when trying other methods. Some people are wary about investing in CoolSculpting because of the cost but this has to be thought of realistically. For many they just need to look back at the accumulated costs that they have had to endure on the various different methods that did not work for them. These can include costly diet programs, supplements, special foods and even investing in expensive exercise equipment. All of which did not work for them. Compared to the costs that these may have incurred the cost for CoolSculpting is a small price to pay. Then the final consideration has to be how the treatments do not demand a lot of time which is important to people on the go. Most importantly there is nothing invasive about the treatment. When all these factors are considered carefully it makes choosing CoolSculpting an easy choice.