Liposuction vs CoolSculpting
Before moving on to the differences between liposuction and CoolSculpting, let us first focus on the similarities between these two processes. In fact, even before moving on to their similarities, let us primarily try to comprehend what each of these processes is for.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is basically a technique which is deployed in cosmetic surgery for the removal of excessive fat under the skin by means of suction (clue: this is where it gets its name from). It is a very useful process by means of which pockets of excessive fat can be eliminated from one’s flanks, thighs, abdomen and other parts of the body. This is an increasingly popular technique which has been in practice for more than three decades now. The main reason for its increasing popularity is its ability to precisely target and then as a consequence remove isolated packets of fat from the body. In a nutshell, liposuction refines and rejuvenates one’s contours and can often be conjugated with other processes like breast augmentation, abdominoplasty etc.
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a recent technique which focuses on reducing fat in a non-surgical fashion. It deploys controlled levels of cooling to get rid of stubborn fat which refuses to budge either with food or exercise. This method is the only one of its kind which has been cleared by the FDA and so far its results seem to be pretty positive.
So what is the similarity between the two methods?
It would be a game of stating the obvious, but both the methods share a similar goal. Their strategies and methods might be different, but both aspire to get rid of those stubborn packets of fat which refuse to answer either to diet or exercise.
Moreover, neither of the two procedures are substitutes for weight loss, nor will they protect the patient against weight gain.
What are the differences between the two?
Liposuction is quite an old technique and has been the choice treatment of thousands of patients to date who wanted to get rid of these very stubborn packets of fat which have been mentioned above.
CoolSculpting, on the other hand, is a recent technology and many people are still vague about how this process actually works and how it differs from traditional liposuction.
Another major difference between the two processes is the level of invasion carried out in each of them. While liposuction is basically an invasive procedure, CoolSculpting in contrast claims to achieve similar results without any sort of invasion.
However, if you are looking for immediate and dramatic results, then liposuction is what you ought to be asking for. This is because CoolSculpting tends to produce results at a slower rate owing to its non-surgical nature.
Though the ultimate goal is shared by both Liposuction and CoolSculpting, yet their candidates tend to differ. The ideal candidate for Liposuction would be someone with disproportionate contours owing to fat deposits which refuse to respond to either diet or exercise. The patient should ideally be in a good state of health.
CoolSculpting, on the other hand, prefers candidates whose body weight is close to their ideal body weight and who just have small packets of fat such as belly bulges, back fat etc.
The benefits claimed by each method also differ from each other. On one side, liposuction promises you dramatic results and improvement in your body shape and contours; while on the other side CoolSculpting promises you minimum discomfort owing to its non-invasive nature. There is no anesthesia or needles involved in the latter procedure.
As far as the intensity of risks in concerned, liposuction is a surgical process so there is a reasonable proportion of risk involved. However, if you deploy the services of an experienced and skilled surgeon who in turn deploys advanced technology then this risk can be reduced to a negligible level.
Whereas in CoolSculpting you might have to repeat the treatment a couple of times in order to end up with satisfactory results.
The recovery periods of the two processes also vary. There might be some swelling and bruising after liposuction surgery but it would gradually subside with time. The duration of recovery period depends upon the extent of surgery done.
There is no downtime required after CoolSculpting. However, the affected areas might be numb and sensitive to touch after the procedure.
Now the important question is what these procedures won’t do. Liposuction isn’t a treatment for obesity, nor is it a replacement for diet and exercise. Similarly, CoolSculpting wouldn’t treat your stretch marks or improve their appearance. Moreover, it wouldn’t tighten your skin as well.
Liposuction is the most popular procedure in cosmetic surgery owing to the following advantages which it claims to its name.
Complete reduction of fat
Dramatic improvement in body contours
Immediate results
The possibility of conjugating other simultaneous procedures for a complete body lift.
The possibility of combining skin-tightening technologies.
On the other hand, the advantages claimed by CoolSculpting are listed below:
Minimal downtime
Non-invasive nature
Fewer risks ( NOT RISK-FREE)
The disadvantages of Liposuction, when compared with CoolSculpting are listed below:
Possibility of surgical risks
Downtime required
In contrast, the disadvantages of CoolSculpting are also listed below.
Less dramatic results
Surface irregularities
Risk of increase in fat
Bulges being treated must be pinched so that they can fit into the treatment cup
The key difference between both the processes is thus their individual approaches towards treatment as well as the level of invasiveness involved in the treatment. The ultimate decision of which method would work the best for you depends upon the individual requirements of your body. Moreover, you need to decide upon which procedure you want to embark upon after a detailed consultation with your doctor. Your doctor can review your condition as well as your expectations from the procedure and thus advise you likewise about which procedure is most likely to work the best for you.
Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons
915 Gessner Rd #870
Houston, TX 77024
713-465-6198