Comparing CoolSculpting and Liposuction. Which Is More Effective?

Women and men today have many options when it comes to getting rid of those pesky areas of fat that can't be eliminated with diet and exercise. Noninvasive treatments like CoolSculpting® have increased in popularity over the years as a newer technology that provides body contouring results, and minimal recovery time. Liposuction is a long-term fat removal surgery that remains tried and true at reducing fatty tissue and leaving the body looking slimmer and more toned. Although both options are not a solution for weight loss, they do offer a fat reduction alternative for healthy Tucson, AZ women and men to achieve the body they always wanted.

Award-winning and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao and his professional staff at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ are able to offer both types of aesthetic treatments to their patients and can help determine which procedure is right for you. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rao and learn more about these body sculpting treatments and start your journey to loving how you look.

How does liposuction work?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure typically performed while the patient is under general anesthesia or other forms of sedation. It is an outpatient cosmetic surgery and is considered one of the most common, effective, and popular fat removal methods used today. By using a small punch-hole incision in the skin, Dr. Rao will use a cannula, or thin tube, that extracts unwanted fat cells in the target areas. Surgical tumescent liposuction can be performed on the lower back, under the chin, thighs, flanks, abdomen, and various other areas of the body. Once the fat is loose, Dr. Rao will use the surgical vacuum to carefully and gradually sculpt and remove it from the treatment area. Once the procedure is complete, Dr. Rao will close up the incisions, and a dressing will be applied to start the healing process.

How does CoolSculpting work?

CoolSculpting is a noninvasive, innovative fat reduction treatment that uses cooling energy to remove pockets of fatty tissue. It requires no type of sedation, incisions, or lengthy downtime. During this in-office procedure, the patented CoolSculpting device is placed on the target area. The revolutionary applicator draws the skin and fat into the device to deliver the controlled cooling agent to deaden or freeze unwanted fat cells. These deadened fat cells will then liquefy, over the next few weeks, before being processed and naturally eliminated by the body. It takes about 2 – 3 months before patients begin to experience more toned, sculpted results with this fat freezing technology.

CoolSculpting vs. liposuction – which option is right for me?

These body contouring procedures are highly effective for candidates who have specific areas of fat that need to be treated. They are not recommended for obese patients or men and women who are significantly overweight. Liposuction is reserved for patients who desire, or need, greater fat removal, and it provides more dramatic contouring results. Dr. Rao will have more control over the amount of fat removed with liposuction and it is, generally, a one-time procedure. CoolSculpting, typically, requires more than one treatment for optimal results. CoolSculpting is an excellent alternative for Tucson, AZ patients who are in relatively good shape but simply want to contour specific areas of the body, avoiding a surgical procedure. If a patient requires more than one CoolSculpting session to achieve the right results, then liposuction may be a more cost-effective and overall better cosmetic option.

What is the recovery like for both options?

The recovery time between these two body contouring procedures is quite different. Liposuction is a surgical procedure, while CoolSculpting is a noninvasive treatment. Liposuction requires sutures after surgery; however, the incisions are tiny, and scarring is, generally, not a concern. Patients will have to plan for downtime, allowing their bodies to heal from the procedure. Compression garments will be worn, and post-operative swelling will be factors for up to two weeks following liposuction. However, the results are dramatic and noticed quickly.

CoolSculpting recovery is, usually, quite simple. There are no active restrictions, and most patients experience little discomfort. Following treatments, patients report feeling sore and experiencing some redness and numbness in the areas treated. It can take up to 2 – 3 months to see final results as it takes time for the frozen cells to dissolve naturally.

Tucson, AZ patients have seen excellent results with both body contouring procedures. You can learn more pros and cons of CoolSculpting vs. liposuction and allow Dr. Rao to go over the drawbacks and benefits of both methods to help you decide what works best for you. If you're interested in learning more about CoolSculpting or liposuction, we invite you to call Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery today and schedule a private one-on-one consultation with board-certified and award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao. He will be able to determine the right body contouring method for you, and you can start enjoying your new, more contoured, slimmer results.