You have some unwanted areas of stubborn fat that don’t seem to want to go away. To get the desired result that you’re wanting CoolSculpting or liposuction may be an option. Both can often do the job, but understanding the difference is tricky.
In order to obtain an unbiased opinion and the best treatment plan for you, the patient, you must choose a clinic that offers both liposuction and CoolSculpting. If a clinic offers one or the other they cannot give an unbiased treatment plan.
The best treatment for each patient depends on the desired amount of fat loss as well as the area we are treating. Each person is different and needs a specific plan for their body and their goals. This plan will be developed by qualified professionals – a cosmetic surgeon and a trained CoolSculpting specialist.
A plastic surgeon performs liposuction by creating tiny incisions in targeted areas of excess fat. He will then use a suction tool to remove the fat from the targeted area.
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure to localized deposits of fat. A vacuum applicator delivers controlled cooling to the surface of the skin. As a result of this critically low temperature, targeted fat cells will die and are naturally flushed out of the system.
To achieve the most aesthetically pleasing result, one or both of the procedures could be done. CoolSculpting can treat one or two problem areas with a quick treatment and no downtime. If you have multiple areas or want to lose a larger amount of fat, liposuction may be more may be your best choice.
Let’s look at the example of legs. We use CoolSculpting on areas such as the inner thigh where the skin is thinner and liposuction may cause some irregularities. The fat pocket on the outer thigh is often irregular or asymmetrical between the two thighs. Liposuction is our choice for the outer thigh or if someone wants a large volume decrease in their thigh, and we treat the inner thigh most often with Coolsculpting.
Dr. Matic and I work together to bring patients to their desired results with liposuction and/or CoolSculpting.
A few things to consider include downtime, budget and shape.
Downtime
Liposuction will require several days off work to recover and the results are almost immediate (as soon as swelling goes down). Patients wear compression garments around the clock for two weeks then during the day for 2 more. Patients should refrain from heavy lifting or activity for a few weeks to decrease swelling and bruising.
CoolSculpting is non-invasive so there is no downtime. You can return to work or the gym after your treatment. The treatment will take between 1-3 hours depending on the area, and then you’ll be on your way. However, the results are not immediate like liposuction. It takes about 3 months for you to see the final effects of the treatment.
Budget
CoolSculpting generally costs less because there are no anesthesia or operating room fees associated with it. However, your desired results may require multiple treatments. To get a true idea of how much your anticipated result will cost, and the best path to get there, you should consult with myself or Dr. Matic.
Shape
CoolSculpting is designed to treat pockets of fat – such as a “double chin” or “love handles”, the excess fat on the abdomen, upper arms or upper legs. Liposuction is the more aggressive option and allows for more fat to be removed in a single session. It creates a more dramatic change in body contour.
If you are interested in trimming down a particular area or defining your shape, contact Heather Kirby for a consultation by calling (226) 317-5920. I will help you determine the best path to get your desired results.
By Heather Kirby