Many people find that no matter what they do they just can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fat in certain body areas. If you have stubborn areas of body fat that persist even with diet and exercise, body sculpting may be the answer.
Let’s take a look at the two most popular body sculpting treatments – liposuction and CoolSculpting® – and find out which procedure is right for you. One option is surgical and one is non-surgical, but both options are effective for patients who are good candidates.
Neither procedure is a substitute for weight loss. Also, these procedures are not a solution for loose, sagging skin – if you have this problem you should ask your plastic surgeon about a surgical lifting procedure.
About Liposuction
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. This surgical procedure removes body fat through a hollow tube with the assistance of a high-pressure vacuum. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of liposuction.
Advantages of Liposuction
- The ability to remove large pockets of fat
- Immediate results
- Fat is removed in a single treatment session
- Produces more dramatic results
- Can be performed simultaneously with other surgical procedures
Disadvantages of Liposuction
- A longer recovery time (typically a week)
- Although rare, there are possible surgical risks
About CoolSculpting®
CoolSculpting® is a safe and non-invasive procedure that works by freezing fat cells underneath the skin, which allows your body to naturally get rid of these fat cells without having to move a muscle. Treated cells are crystallized, and then they die. Over time your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving your body more sculpted. (Results are visible in as little as three weeks.) The results are long-term because the procedure removes the fat cells for good without doing any damage to other healthy body cells. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of CoolSculpting®.
Advantages of CoolSculpting®
- The procedure is non-surgical (non-invasive)
- It leaves no scars
- Little to no downtime after treatment
- Fewer risks
Disadvantages of CoolSculpting®
- Requires multiple treatments
- Takes longer to achieve your desired result
- Results can be less dramatic than liposuction
To find out if liposuction or CoolSculpting® is right for you, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Harold E. Beam, MD Plastic Surgery is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, serving residents of Glastonbury, New Britain, Hartford and surrounding areas.
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