Warren Schutte, MD

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CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting vs Liposuction

In this day and age, you have more options than ever when it comes to removing fat.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to the fat in your trouble areas, you’ll be glad to know that there are a few options at your disposal, but the most popular are, by far, liposuction and CoolSculpting. Both of these methods are effective at removing unwanted fat, but there are many things you’ll want to consider about each method before you make your final decision.

Procedure

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body. Liposuction is generally performed under general anesthetic, but in cases that involve only a small area of the body, a local anesthetic may be used. CoolSculpting is a non-surgical liposuction procedure that works by freezing fat cells that will then be discarded by the body. It’s a noninvasive procedure that many patients read, work or nap through.

Safety

As we mentioned, liposuction is a surgical procedure, and as such, it comes with inherent risks. If you have a history of blood clotting disorders or heart problems, you may not be a good candidate for liposuction. Because CoolSculpting is so noninvasive, side effects are minor and the risks are rare. Some people experience some level of skin sensitivity or bruising, but these side effects are typically resolved after a couple of weeks.

Recovery

In most cases, the recovery from liposuction is fairly quick, especially for a surgical procedure. Many people find that they can return to their jobs within a few days, and to their normal activities within a couple of weeks. However, you may experience swelling, bruising and soreness for a few weeks. CoolSculpting, on the other hand, has little to no downtime, and many people return to their work and regular activities the same day that they get the procedure done.

Results

In Text Image 5With liposuction, you may be able to remove up to 11 pounds of fat from your body (it is usually considered unsafe to remove any more than that). With CoolSculpting, you may be able to remove as much as 25 percent of the fat cells in certain areas. Both procedures allow you to destroy fat cells in specific areas, but you’ll get more dramatic results with liposuction than you will with CoolSculpting. Furthermore, the results of CoolSculpting will occur over a few weeks, not all at once like they will with liposuction.

How do you determine whether CoolSculpting or liposuction is right for you?

CoolSculpting is less invasive, less risky and more convenient than liposuction, but the results you’ll get won’t be as fast or dramatic. Whereas, liposuction may be able to help you enjoy fast, dramatic results, it’s also a surgical procedure and, therefore, comes with the same risks that all surgical procedures come with.

We hope that this blog has helped to highlight the differences between the two most popular fat reduction procedures available today, and that it helps you make the right decision for your body, your budget, your goals and your needs. If you need further help making your decision, don’t hesitate to contact us at Front Range Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Our cosmetic consultations are complementary, and we can help you determine which procedure is right for you.