The Differences Between Coolsculpting and Liposuction
CoolSculpting and liposuction are medical procedures that permanently remove fat cells to shape and contour your body. While these two procedures are similar, they have some vital differences.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fatty deposits in nearly any area of your body. Alternatively, CoolSculpting is a non-surgical fat reduction method that permanently freezes targeted fat cells away. Both are effective in reducing adipose tissue and improving body contour.
CoolSculpting nonsurgically removes small amounts of fat
CoolSculpting freezes stubborn fat safely and effectively in a comfortable session that requires virtually no downtime afterward. It is the only FDA-approved procedure using controlled cooling to target and safely eliminate diet and exercise-resistant fat. Some benefits of CoolSculpting include:
- Non-invasive
- No downtime
- Long-lasting results as soon as three weeks
- Virtually painless
Liposuction surgically removes more significant amounts of fat
Liposuction removes fat from your body resistant to diet and exercise by making a series of small incisions at the treatment site to remove unwanted body fat. Liposuction may be performed under general or local anesthesia or sedation, depending on the number of body areas treated and the amount of fat removed. Liposuction effectively treats a wide range of body regions and is commonly performed for fat reduction in the following:
- Abdomen
- Waist
- Back
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Knees
- Upper arms
- Chin
- Neck
CoolSculpting and Liposuction produce different results
When choosing between liposuction and CoolSculpting, ask yourself the following questions:
What are your treatment goals?
CoolSculpting treats local pockets of fat for mild to moderate improvement. Multiple treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve the best results, which are not immediately noticeable. Changes in the treated area may become apparent as early as three weeks after CoolSculpting, and the most dramatic results can be seen one to three months after treatment.
Liposuction may be the more suitable choice if you want to treat excess fat over a larger body area or desire a more dramatic change in body contour. Liposuction can be paired with other surgical procedures for more extensive body contouring as a more aggressive treatment option that allows more fat to be removed during a single session. Unlike CoolSculpting, an overall reduction in fullness and improved contour is noticeable within days after the procedure.
How much time can you spend recovering?
CoolSculpting offers patients a quick recovery, minimal associated discomfort, and a low risk of complications. Typically, patients can resume normal activities immediately following the procedure.
Following liposuction surgery, patients can typically return to work and resume most normal activity within one week of surgery. It takes up to one year to see the final results of most surgeries.
Are you a good candidate for either procedure?
The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting:
- Is in good physical and emotional health
- Exhibits localized fat deposits and minimal skin laxity
- Has realistic expectations of the procedure, such as mild to moderate improvement
The ideal candidate for liposuction:
- Is in good overall health
- Exhibits excess fat deposits and minimal skin laxity
- Has realistic expectations about the procedure, such as removing more significant amounts of fat
AcquaBlu Medspa is here to help
At Acqua Blu Medical Spa, it’s a priority to provide you with the aesthetic outcome you want to regain your confidence and feel your absolute best. We offer body contouring in Pittsburgh with CoolSculpting treatments to help you eliminate unwanted fat while contouring a new, more attractive shape. During your initial consultation, we will gladly discuss the differences between CoolSculpting and liposuction so you can make the most informed decision for your aesthetic goals.
