With so many cosmetic procedures available today, it can be difficult to know which surgery is best suited to your needs. Though both CoolSculpting and liposuction will bring you great physical results, some people are better suited to a certain procedure than others.
In simple terms, liposuction is good for removing large areas of fat, whereas CoolSculpting is suitable for removing smaller areas of fat. If you’re interested in improving your health and physique with these surgeries, keep on reading to explore which method will get you the best results!
Table of Contents
What Procedure is Right for You?
What Areas of the Body Can CoolSculpting and Liposuction Treat?
What is the Recovery Period Like for Each Procedure?
Are CoolSculpting and Liposuction Effective?
What Does Liposuction and CoolSculpting Cost?
Who is a Candidate for Each Procedure?
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting helps to remove excess fat from under the skin in specific areas of the body.
When a patient undergoes a CoolSculpting procedure, the treatment involves applying a gel pad and an applicator to certain areas of the body to freeze off fat cells. There is a vacuum inside the applicator that sucks the fat and skin up to the pad. This stays still for approximately 30 minutes and this process causes fat cells to freeze and crystalize.
After a CoolSculpting treatment, the pad is removed and gently massaged to break up any fat crystals. Your body will now break these crystals down and remove them. No other cells in the body are affected by this procedure and there’s no scarring left either.
Unfortunately, CoolSculpting does not remove large areas of fat from the body, so patients who wish to have a larger procedure may be pointed to liposuction alongside weight management diets and exercise.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a well-known procedure and one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries to date. This surgical procedure is better for removing larger areas of fat from the body.
When you choose a liposuction procedure surgeons will make a few small incisions around the area of fat to start the removal. A numbing solution is applied and a small tube (called a cannula) is inserted to suck out excess fat. General anesthesia and local anesthesia are common for liposuction surgeries. The anesthetic used will depend on the amount of fat being removed and the area it is being removed from.
What Procedure is Right for You?
Here are the most common questions about both procedures, use these answers to work out which fat removal procedure suits your needs best!
What Areas of the Body Can CoolSculpting and Liposuction Treat?
CoolSculpting is most commonly used on the abdomen and the flanks. It can also be used on the back, inner thighs, outer thighs, and in some cases the under chin area too. These are all small and isolated areas.
Liposuction is used to remove fat from the abdomen, back, waist, hips, thighs, buttocks, lower legs, knees, upper arms, under the chin, face, neck, and chest areas. This is a more versatile procedure and sometimes you’re able to have liposuction on more than one area in one sitting.
What is the Recovery Period Like for Each Procedure?
CoolSculpting has a much faster recovery time than liposuction. Once CoolSculpting is complete, the majority of patients can continue with normal activities on the same day. Liposuction can sometimes take a week before a recipient can resume daily life.
When you receive liposuction treatment, it’s encouraged that you engage in light exercise after surgery (such as walking or light housework). Patients should avoid long periods of sitting or lying, as this can be counterproductive. Liposuction patients must also wear compression clothing for at least a month post-op and sometimes additional support for any excess skin is needed too.
Are CoolSculpting and Liposuction Effective?
When it comes to results, liposuction can remove more fat per session, but CoolSculpting has little to no recovery time. When you opt for liposuction you also have the choice to move fat from one area to another to add contours to the body too.
Liposuction guarantees body contouring results within days of the procedure, however, the body can take months to fully adjust to the change. With CooSculpting, immediate effects aren’t noticeable, but weeks after you will start seeing slow results. Also, as cool sculpting only focuses on small areas of fat, the results won’t be as dramatic as liposuction.
What Does Liposuction and CoolSculpting Cost?
Liposuction costs vary depending on where you get it done, however, the average approximate cost is over $3,500. This cost doesn’t always cover the anesthesia or any other medical expenses, it’s advised to do some research before jumping in with this procedure. Remember that liposuction only usually needs one procedure though!
CoolSculpting will usually need multiple procedures and costs can vary depending on the clinic. When you get a consultation for cool sculpting you’ll be offered a personalized plan which usually costs around $2,000 to $4,000.
Who is a Candidate for Each Procedure?
You should be in good physical health before proceeding with cool sculpting or liposuction procedures. Often, patients will be referred to a long-term plan for weight loss like a healthy diet and regular exercise as these are reliable ways to manage weight over long periods.
A good candidate for CoolSculpting is someone that only wants to remove a specific section of fat. This procedure gives patients mild or moderate fat reduction and doesn’t significantly change their body composition.
Candidates for liposuction will need to be in good health before the operation too. This means that they cannot smoke for weeks before and after the procedure and a healthy diet must be followed too.
How Can Beautifi Help?
Both CoolSculpting and liposuction are good medical procedures for removing body fat. While one method may be suited to you, it’s always worth exploring your options before getting a consultation. Always check in with doctors before you make your decision, as this will affect your recovery and they’ll ensure you have a positive experience!
The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!