Unlike liposuction, CoolSculpting requires no incisions or anesthesia. The treatment works using a scientifically proven method called cryolipolysis to freeze away specific fat cells.
During CoolSculpting, a gel pad and applicator will be applied to the skin to freeze fat cells. A vacuum in the applicator will suck the skin and fat up to contact the pad, which will stay in place for 30–40 minutes. The device crystalizes the fat cells by reaching freezing temperatures.
The Coolsculpting pad is then removed and these fat crystals are then broken up with a gentle massage on the treated area. There is no scarring or other damage to any other cells.
Multiple applicators can be used to treat two or more areas at once for quicker results. You will likely need several sessions to reach your ideal aesthetic.
CoolSculpting is unsuitable for removing large areas of fat from the body. If a person wishes to remove a lot of fat, a doctor may suggest liposuction, along with a healthful diet and regular exercise.
If you have small volumes of localized fat and are looking for a quick and less expensive solution then CoolSculpting might be the option to consider.
Liposuction is more useful for removing larger areas of excess fat. CoolSculpting is more suitable for removing small areas of fat.
Cool sculpting works essentially by freezing targeted areas of fat or “bulges” that you do not want. Once frozen, after a given time your body essentially absorbs those fat cells. The procedure takes only one hour and patients can resume normal activities immediately.
In our office, coolsculpting ® has shown outstanding results and we are proud to offer it to you. In fact, coolsculpting® is recognized as the only FDA approved procedure for nonsurgical fat reduction. We believe it is an excellent alternative for people reluctant to undergo even minimally invasive liposuction procedures. Coolsculpting® does not replace liposuction by any means. Liposuction offers a more complete extraction of fat in a single setting. However, if a moderate reduction in fat is desired without surgery, coolsculpting® is an excellent option. Alternatively, results achieved with multiple cycles of coolsculpting® on the same area can actually be as good as liposuction.
CoolSculpting is expected to give you a 20% fat reduction in an area, but many patients hope for a 50-60% reduction in the size of a given bulge. To achieve that, you would likely need three CoolSculpting treatments.
While liposuction and CoolSculpting both shape and contour your body, they’re not the same. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that suctions away fatty deposits in nearly any area of your body. In contrast, CoolSculpting is a non-surgical method of fat reduction that permanently freezes away targeted fat cells.
Both techniques are good when performed on ideal candidates, yet one technique might be more suited for you.
If your goal is to have results in one treatment, you have a large volume of fat to be removed, and you don’t mind having downtime, aftercare, the possibility of ridging, and risks of surgery and anesthesia, liposuction is for you.
With Coolsculpting up to 25% of the fat in the treated area can be removed in a single treatment. If you have multiple areas that need to be treated you will need to have more than one treatment. The most notorious advantage with Coolsculpting is that downtime is very unlikely.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the States.
Liposuction is the gold standard for body sculpting and precise fat removal
Are you looking mainly for fat reduction, reshaping, or both?
This is the most important thing to think about, as the whole point of any procedure is to achieve your goals. When it comes to liposuction vs. CoolSculpting, the main difference comes down to sculpting vs. simple reduction.
During liposuction, a plastic surgeon uses a long, thin instrument called a “cannula” to sculpt problem areas and suction out the fat through a tiny incision. Performed well, liposuction can truly sculpt the body to achieve a more shapely silhouette, reveal underlying musculature, and, of course, reduce stubborn fat bulges.
Liposuction is also the only fat reduction option that can work almost anywhere, including very small areas like the knees and underarms as well as larger areas like the hips, thighs, and belly.
In conclusion: If you have one or two small-to-medium fat bulges you’d like to reduce, but you’re generally happy with your shape, CoolSculpting can be a great value. If you have multiple areas or a larger amount of fat you’d like to reduce, or if you have specific goals to change the shape of an area, you are probably going to be much more satisfied with liposuction.
*Individual Results May Vary