Coolsculpting vs. Traditional Lipo Which One Is Right For You?

By Larry H. Lickstein, MD, FACS

Elle Aesthetic Arts & Plastic Surgery

. https://www.elleaestheticarts.com/

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Coolsculpting vs. Traditional Lipo Which One Is Right For You?

The methods of removing unwanted, excess fat from the body have evolved over time. Thanks to liposuction, a plastic surgeon is able to reduce the amount of fat you have using a suction device and small tube. Even newer methods of fat reduction, such as Coolsculpting, allow you to eliminate unwanted fat without surgery.

If a non-surgical option is available, you might wonder why anyone would decide to have a more invasive surgical procedure performed to reduce their extra fat. Methods such as Coolsculpting might be ideal for some patients, but not the right pick for others. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether traditional liposuction or Coolsculpting is right for you.

How Much Time Do
You Have For Recovery?

The recovery period after liposuction is considerably different from the recovery after Coolsculpting. After a Coolsculpting treatment, you are typically able to resume your regularly scheduled activities right away. Traditional liposuction has a much longer recovery period. You’ll want to take at least one week off from work and other activities. It can be another three or four weeks before you can resume working out.

When Do You Want
To See Results?

Coolsculpting uses freezing temperatures to destroy fat cells. The fat isn’t immediately removed from the body. Instead, it takes some time for your system to flush it away. Usually, people see results between eight and 12 weeks. It’s also possible for a person to need multiple treatments before he or she sees results.

While your body does need more time to heal after traditional liposuction, you might see results more immediately, since the fat is removed from the body during the treatment. Additionally, liposuction can provide more dramatic results as the surgeon is able to remove more fat from the area at one time.

How Much Fat Do You Have?

The type and amount of fat you have can play a part in determining which option is better suited for you. Soft fat tends to respond better to Coolsculpting than thick, fibrous fat.

For either procedure, it’s important that you be within a reasonable range of your goal weight. Coolsculpting isn’t designed to remove a considerable amount of fat. It’s also not recommended that you use liposuction to remove a significant amount of fat.

What’s Your Budget?

On the surface, liposuction appears to be the more expensive treatment, as it can cost as much as $10,000, depending on how many areas you have treated and the amount of fat removed. Coolsculpting might seem less expensive, but you also need to keep in mind the number of treatments you’ll need to get the results you want.

So, if you have some extra fat on your body that hasn’t responded to diet or exercise, considering either traditional liposuction or Coolsculpting might be worth your while. Consult a board certified plastic surgeon for an opinion.