When it comes to reducing unwanted fat, both CoolSculpting® and liposuction are popular and effective choices, but determining which treatment will best meet your needs can be challenging. An in-person consultation is the best way to know what will work for you, but if you’re too curious to wait, we’ve got some examples that may help you guess which fat removal method your doctor will recommend.
Basic Facts on Coolsculpting & Liposuction
Safe, nonsurgical, and proven to reduce moderate fat bulges from the hips, midsection, or thighs, CoolSculpting works best on patients who are close to their target weight but have persistent pockets of fat that won’t budge with diet and exercise.
For those with larger areas of fat and a need for more specific sculpting and shaping, liposuction can be a better option. Liposuction is a surgical fat removal method that removes excess fat from underneath the skin.
So how do CoolSculpting and liposuction measure up for treating your concerns? We’ve outlined a few common circumstances to help you understand when and why your plastic surgeon might recommend each treatment.
“I want better contours, and I’ve got some larger pockets of fat that I can’t get rid of.”
If you want to remove larger areas of fat from the legs, neck, face, or arms, then liposuction may be the best option for you. While it is not a replacement for weight loss, liposuction can provide more dramatic body contouring, plus it can treat areas where CoolSculpting would not be a viable option.
“I’ve lost my pregnancy weight, but my tummy bulge just won’t go away.”
If you’ve lost most of your pregnancy weight but can’t seem to get rid of that last bit of fat on your abdomen, then CoolSculpting may deliver results without the need for surgery. Following pregnancy, many women are left with a belly “pouch” of stubborn fat around their lower stomach that is notoriously resistant to diet and exercise. Depending on the amount of fat that needs to be removed, CoolSculpting can provide a noticeable decrease in excess stomach fat within one to two treatments.
“I have extra fat and loose skin on my stomach.”
If your cosmetic concerns lie in extra fat and loose or excess skin on the abdomen, a combination of treatments may be necessary. Depending on the amount and distribution of fat, CoolSculpting or liposuction can be used in conjunction with tummy tuck surgery, which can remove excess skin and tighten remaining skin.
“I’m happy with my weight, but my body isn’t responding to exercise like it used to—certain areas just won’t tone!”
No matter how much you sweat in cardio classes or how many Pilates toning exercises you do, some pockets of excess fat refuse to budge. If you’re happy with your overall size and shape with the exception of a few small areas of fat, both liposuction and CoolSculpting are viable options.
The location of your unwanted fat and amount you’d like removed will determine which procedure you are a good candidate for. CoolSculpting is a great option for removing a moderate amount of fat (up to 25%) on the abdomen, flanks, or thighs; whereas liposuction can address varying amounts of fat in multiple areas of the body.
Bottom line:
Both liposuction and CoolSculpting can provide satisfying results and remove unwanted fat cells from your body. Keep in mind that CoolSculpting works best on patients who are already slim, but have small stubborn areas of pinchable fat. For those with larger areas of fat, and a desire for specific contour changes, liposuction would be the better option.
To make a final call, take the next step and book a personal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Movassaghi would be happy to help you understand which treatment option would work best for you!