Liposuction and CoolSculpting are both medical procedures that are performed to reduce the amount of fat that is located on targeted areas of the body. While there are some patients that feel the two procedures are essentially the same, there are some big differences between these two cosmetic procedures. Take a look below to learn more about the differences between liposuction and CoolSculpting.
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Know the Difference
Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure that involves the surgeon making an incision in the targeted area on the body that has stubborn fat that is hard to remove through traditional diet and exercise. The incision is made and then a long tube, known as a cannula, is inserted into the body of the patient to vacuum the fat out of the body,
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive medical procedure that removes fat cells from the body without the need to have incisions that would make it an invasive procedure. The doctor will use a special tool to clamp down on a targeted roll of fat and then cool the fat to a temperature that is freezing. In the weeks that follow the CoolSculpting treatment, the body will eliminate the frozen fat cells, which are now dead, through the liver.
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Recovery Time and Results
Liposuction surgery generally takes one or two hours to perform depending on the size of the treated area and the amount of fat cells that will be removed. It is normally an outpatient procedure so the patient can go home the same day as the surgery. There will be some results that are immediately visible but there will also be some swelling and bruising that blocks some of the results from being seen for around three months. Plus, it can take about six months for the skin to tighten enough that the final results are visible to the patient as well as the general public. The results are considered to be permanent and exercising on a regular basis, as well as following a healthy diet, will help to maintain the results.
There is no recovery time necessary after a CoolSculpting treatment. The length of a normal treatment is generally one hour. Some patients might need multiple sessions, spread out over several weeks, to achieve their desired results. Patients might experience some swelling, redness and bruising in the treated area but these conditions will disappear after a few weeks. The results can start to become visible after four weeks but it might take twelve weeks to see the final results. The fat cells that are removed will not return so the results are considered to be permanent.
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Results Comparison
While the results discussed above differ in the recovery time (such as how long the bruising and swelling last), both of the treatments provide permanent fat removal from areas of the body as varied as the stomach, arms and thighs. The treatments also provide improvements in body contouring results. Liposuction and CoolSculpting are also similar in that neither treatment is designed to be a weight loss procedure. In addition, liposuction and CoolSculpting are both not an effective method to improve the appearance of cellulite.
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Ideal Candidates
When it comes to liposuction, an ideal candidate is someone over the age of 18 that is in good health. The person should also be within 25 pounds of his or her ideal weight with skin that has good elasticity. In addition, the person should have stubborn deposits of fat that are not being easily removed through regular exercise and diet. As mentioned earlier, patients should be in good health and not suffering from any issues like blood clotting disorders or heart problems. Female patients should not be pregnant before deciding to have liposuction.
CoolSculpting candidates should be within 20 pounds of their ideal weight while also following a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis. Patients that want to eliminate stubborn fat in the arms, abdomen, back and chin are ideal candidates. Individuals that are considered to be obese, as well as women that are pregnant, are not good candidates for the treatment.
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Side Effects Comparison
Liposuction side effects:
- Skin discoloration
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation in the treated area
- Irregularities in the shape of the skin (such as lumps) when viewing the final results
- Fat embolism (a rare side effect but still one to be aware of when having the procedure)
CoolSculpting side effects:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Skin sensitivity
Liposuction and CoolSculpting – Schedule a Consultation Appointment
Before making the final decision about which treatment to undergo, it is important for a patient to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor that is experienced in performing liposuction or CoolSculpting, The doctor can examine the patient to determine if the person is in good health as well as which procedure is a better option to achieve the desired results. The doctor will also set realistic expectations so the patient will know what kind of results can be expected after liposuction or CoolSculpting.
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