A healthy diet and regular exercise are lauded as the go-to combination for achieving a slim and shapely physique. While both are essential to health and well-being, many find that some regions of the body are resistant to change despite relentless devotion to the gym and clean eating. If you believe you have exhausted the potential of dieting, exercise, supplements and shapewear, you may wish to consider a medical body contouring technique to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Liposuction and CoolSculpting are two of the most popular and effective methods of eliminating undesirable fat deposits. Both treatments share the same objective – to reshape your body by removing excess adipose tissue – but there are critical differences between them. Each procedure has advantages and disadvantages that you’ll want to discuss in detail with your physician during the consultation process.

The staff at ACQUA Medspa are skilled in the most innovative fat loss techniques available. When it comes to nonsurgical body contouring, there are numerous reasons why CoolSculpting is a top choice today.

Treatment

CoolSculpting and liposuction both reduce unwanted fat safely, but the process involved in the procedures is very different.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that removes fat with no need for incisions or anesthesia, and little to no downtime. The technology safely delivers precisely controlled cooling to subcutaneous fat cells in targeted areas while leaving the skin itself unaffected. When exposed to these critically low temperatures, the treated fat cells freeze and die. Your body naturally processes and eliminates them over time, leaving behind a slimmer and more sculpted shape.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed under anesthesia. An incision is made to insert a thin tube called a cannula into the treatment area. Your physician will make the incision as small and inconspicuous as possible so that it will leave minimal scarring. Once inserted, the cannula is moved in a controlled back and forth motion to loosen excess fat. The dislodged fat is then suctioned from the body by a surgical vacuum attached to the cannula and sutures are used to close the incision.

Candidacy

The ideal candidate for CoolSculpting or liposuction is in good overall health, has excess fat deposits that don’t decrease with diet and exercise, and has realistic expectations about the procedure.

CoolSculpting is most useful for patients who are seeking mild to moderate improvement in localized problem areas using non-surgical methods. It is not a weight loss solution for patients who are obese or looking for significant change in body contour. However, it is a safe procedure that can be performed more than once for patients that want more sculpting than they achieve from a single appointment.

Liposuction is a more aggressive procedure that allows more fat to be removed during a single session. Due to its invasive nature, this procedure may not be a good choice for patients with some medical conditions or concerns. Liposuction also requires time off to recover, so you will need to plan accordingly for the process.

Recovery & Results

Because CoolSculpting is an entirely non-surgical technique, patients can typically resume normal activities immediately. Many return to work as soon as their session is over. Changes may be apparent as early as three weeks after your treatment, with the most dramatic results appearing after two months. Your body flushes out fat cells for up to four to six months after the procedure.

Liposuction is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing the majority of patients to return home on the same day as surgery. Most feel up to returning to work within a few days and to resume non-strenuous activities within two weeks. Bruising, swelling and soreness are typical and will subside over the weeks following surgery. Some improvement can be apparent within days after liposuction, but it takes several months for the final results to develop and your body may continue changing for up to one year.

Both procedures permanently remove excess fat from the treated areas. You will continue to enjoy your enhanced body contour as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight after the procedure. If you add pounds, remaining fat cells can enlarge and change your results.

Risks & Side Effects

CoolSculpting is proven to be a safe technique for non-surgical fat reduction with minimal side effects. During the procedure, you will feel pressure and intense cold and may feel minor discomfort including pulling, tugging or pinching. Following the procedure, there will be slight numbness and tingling in the treatment area. Other mild side effects like redness, swelling or bruising may occur but should subside quickly. Experiencing more severe pain or side effects is rare.

As a surgical procedure, liposuction carries more risk than CoolSculpting. Side effects may include infection, skin discoloration, fluid accumulation, irregularities in skin contours, blood clots, complications related to anesthesia, temporary or permanent numbness, or internal puncture from the cannula. The risk of complications increases when the treatment area is more extensive or when multiple procedures are performed at the same time.

Budget

CoolSculpting and liposuction are both cosmetic procedures. Since insurance plans rarely cover procedures done for purely cosmetic purposes, you will need to be prepared to pay out of pocket regardless of which technique you choose.

The cost of CoolSculpting varies based on which area of the body is treated, as well as the number of areas treated. There are no anesthesia or operating room fees associated with the procedure. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve your desired results. The series of treatments can be beneficial if you prefer to pay in smaller amounts over time or if the convenience of a procedure with no downtime is a priority.

The cost of liposuction also varies depending on the areas of the body you choose to have treated. As a surgical procedure, it can be more expensive up front than CoolSculpting, due to expenses like anesthesia and hospital fees. You will also need to take some time off work to recover from your liposuction procedure – a cost not associated with CoolSculpting.

The Deciding Factor

If you are looking for a way to sculpt and tone the body without the risks associated with anesthesia and with no downtime whatsoever, CoolSculpting is likely to be the right choice for you. At ACQUA Medspa, our experienced and certified CoolSculpting technicians will be able to help you achieve results you’ll love. Call 281-480-1200 to schedule your consultation and learn more about CoolSculpting at ACQUA Medspa today!