When it comes to scientific facts that do not make some people happy, there are people who have a genetic predisposition to storing fat in certain parts of the body. Even if they follow a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis, they might not be able to get rid of the pockets of fat they desire.
In cases such as these, patients might consider turning to body sculpting treatments such as liposuction and CoolSculpting. These treatments remove fat cells through the use of a cannula or by freezing off the fat cells.
Which one is Right for you?
In order to determine the right treatment to achieve the desired results, patients should schedule a consultation appointment that determines the area that will be targeted by the treatment. In general, liposuction allows the targeted areas to see a smoother and more uniform result all over the body while CoolSculpting is much more effective in removing fat from isolated areas.
Liposuction
The creation of liposuction techniques go all the way back to the early 1920s. As the years have passed and liposuction techniques have evolved, the treatment has grown in popularity. In general, liposuction can be performed on an outpatient basis and it is typically effective in targeting such areas as the thighs, abdominal wall and buttocks.
A cannula is used to break apart the fat cells and some doctors have referred to the process as “a vacuum sucking fat cells out through a small straw”. When a cannula is used, the doctor makes a number of passes through the adipose tissue of the patient. Multiple tunnels are created and this allows the tissue in the skin to collapse. Once this happens, the skin of the patient can be remolded and reshaped into the desired contour through the help of a compression garment that the patient wears for a week or two following the procedure.
Any incisions that are made are normally a few millimeters in length since they normally match the size of the cannula that is used. Patients only require a few days off work for recovery and the results are visible almost immediately.
Cool Sculpting
Patients who don’t know a lot about CoolSculpting are pleasantly surprised to realize that it is a noninvasive body contouring treatment that uses a device that delivers controlled cooling to the targeted area. This means that the fat cells are exposed to temperatures that are cold enough to make the cells die.
CoolSculpting has been growing in popularity over the years. Statistics form the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show, between 2016 and 2017, a 7% increase in noninvasive fat reduction treatments that freeze fat.
During a CoolSculpting procedure, a clamp is placed on the area targeted for treatment. Once the treatment begins, the patient starts to experience a sensation of cooling or tingling. The device is producing a temperature that is critically low and, as a result, the fat cells cannot survive.
The targeted fat cells are excreted through the body as waste. Because of this method of excreting the fat cells, it can take up to several weeks or months for the results to become apparent. While liposuction often achieves the desired results in one treatment, it can take multiple treatments before the results of CoolSculpting are visible to others.
In general, CoolSculpting provides the best results on areas such as the hips, inner thighs and arms as well as the navel area and under the chin. Even though CoolSculpting can require multiple treatments, there is no anesthesia or pain medication needed to perform the treatment. Plus, patients can return to work immediately after the procedure.
Candidates
It should be noted that both treatments are not a weight loss treatment so anyone looking to lose a large amount of weight is not an ideal candidate. The amount of weight loss experienced by patients will be limited at best. The main purpose of the treatments is to address irregularities in contour and hard to lose fat deposits in certain areas of the body. Plus, a healthy diet must be followed in order to maintain the results.
An ideal candidate for either treatment must be at a stable weight and plan to remain near that weight in the future.
A board-certified doctor can help patients determine which treatment is the best option to achieve the desired results.
MA
