Which Is Better: CoolSculpting or Traditional Liposuction?

Struggling with unwanted pockets of fat is common. Despite following a routine of healthy eating and regular exercise, many of us have fat that we can’t seem to eliminate. However, there are procedures available that can help rid of troublesome fat and obtain a sleeker physique. 

Many individuals think of liposuction, but CoolSculpting can provide excellent results without a significant recovery period. Read on to find out more about this revolutionary non-invasive fat reduction procedure.

What Is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat removal procedure that involves freezing fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated through the body’s lymphatic system. 

Patients select the areas for fat removal to obtain a sleeker physique. Common areas where CoolSculpting is effective include the abdomen, love handles, inner and outer thighs, and upper arms. 

CoolSculpting can be used on just about any part of the body, as long as the excess fat in the area is at least ⅔ of an inch and fits into a CoolSculpting paddle.

During a CoolSculpting procedure, a patient lies down in a comfortable chair. The areas of the body to be treated are marked with a pen. Next, a gel pad is laid over the treatment sites. CoolSculpting paddles are applied, and the fat is suctioned into the device, where it is cooled to temperatures of -10℃. 

Treatment may last up to an hour, depending on the amount of fat in the area and the treatment site. No incisions are made in the body, and the treatment is entirely non-invasive. 

When the treatment has ended, the paddles are removed, and the treated areas are gently massaged to encourage the body to begin eliminating the fat cells that have been destroyed through the fat freezing process.

The technology used in CoolSculpting is designed to be targeted especially toward fat cells. No other tissues are affected. CoolSculpting requires no downtime, so following the treatment, the patient can return to their typical day.

Since this non-invasive fat removal procedure relies on the body to use its natural processes to eliminate damaged cells, results take a few months to appear. However, the lack of downtime and effective results that CoolSculpting provides make it an attractive option to many seeking to remove excess body fat.

How Is CoolSculpting Different from Traditional Liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure that requires the use of local or general anesthesia. As a fat removal procedure, liposuction suctions fat cells from the body through a cannula inserted into the skin through an incision. 

Depending on the liposuction site and the number of areas where liposuction is used, patients may have several incisions on their bodies.

Following a traditional liposuction procedure, patients need recovery time for their bodies to heal. They often cannot return to regular activities for at least a week and sometimes longer. 

Patients with typical responsibilities, such as work or caring for a family, may find it challenging to schedule the appropriate amount of recovery time for their treatment.

While fat removal is immediate in a traditional liposuction treatment, the body needs time to recover from the procedure. Patients often have to wait several months before swelling and incisions heal before seeing the results they are looking for. 

In contrast, CoolSculpting’s non-invasive fat reduction procedure requires no anesthesia or incisions. It uses the body’s natural functions to its advantage by providing for elimination through the metabolic processes. As a result, patients see results appear over time without needing surgical intervention. 

The CoolSculpting procedure is performed comfortably; patients often read books or watch movies during a treatment session. There is no downtime, and patients return to their routine following their procedure. 

The results from CoolSculpting are very natural looking. Friends, colleagues, and family won’t know that you’ve undergone a CoolSculpting procedure unless you tell them. Most will attribute noticeable changes to your body’s contouring to a diet or exercise program.

How Long Do Results from CoolSculpting Last?

The results obtained from CoolSculpting are meant to be permanent, but patients must adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep them over time. The body is constantly changing, and choosing unhealthy foods or a sedentary lifestyle may result in new fat cells forming in the treated area. 

Traditional liposuction presents the same challenges. While fat cells are immediately removed from the body during a liposuction procedure, new ones can reappear anytime if the patient eats fatty foods or doesn’t exercise. Thus, a healthy routine is required for either treatment to maintain results over time.

What’s Best for Me: CoolSculpting or Traditional Liposuction?

If you’re ready to obtain a sleeker physique, you’ll need to choose between CoolSculpting, traditional liposuction, or other fat removal treatments. Oftentimes, patients choose CoolSculpting because it’s non-invasive, provides results, and doesn’t have a recovery period. 

Those with a busy lifestyle appreciate the benefits that CoolSculpting offers without the need for surgery or anesthesia. The best candidates are those who have already adopted a healthy lifestyle and need a little extra boost to remove small fat pockets to see the best results.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional liposuction and CoolSculpting is up to you. If you’d like more information on the procedure, you can set up an appointment with ALC Medspa to determine whether a non-invasive fat reduction treatment like CoolSculpting is right for you.

Are You Ready to Try CoolSculpting?

Our knowledgeable staff at ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL, can make your CoolSculpting procedure effective. Contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss the benefits this non-invasive fat reduction treatment can offer you!