October 10, 2023

Liposuction Vs Coolsculpting

By: Dr. Christopher Killingsworth

SURGICAL LIPOSUCTION VS. NON-INVASIVE LIPOSUCTION IN ATLANTA, GA

Liposuction is the gold standard for fat reduction treatments, helping patients eliminate stubborn fat in the stomach, thighs, hips and other areas of the body. Liposuction is often a great solution for patients who are near their ideal body weight but still have a few stubborn pounds that are resistant to diet and exercise. Patients who are considering liposuction have two options when it comes to the procedure: the traditional, surgical liposuction procedure and the non-surgical, non-invasive alternative called CoolSculpting®.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIPOSUCTION AND COOLSCULPTING®?

Liposuction and CoolSculpting® are both effective treatments for eliminating unwanted body fat. The treatment techniques differ, however, as liposuction is a surgical procedure and CoolSculpting® is completely non-invasive. During liposuction, a small metal tube called a cannula is inserted into the body where unwanted fat is located. The cannula removes fat using a vacuum system to produce the desired results. CoolSculpting®, on the other hand, uses cooling energy to freeze and destroy fat cells from the skin’s surface. This process is painless and requires no anesthesia. Once the targeted fat cells are treated, the body will naturally eliminate the destroyed fat cells during the weeks following treatment.


HOW DOES RECOVERY DIFFER?

Due to the invasive nature of liposuction, patients may need to take time off of work and other activities for a few days after their treatment. The length of the recovery period can vary depending on the extent of treatment, but most patients are able to return to light activity about one week after their procedure. With CoolSculpting®, there is no downtime required. Patients may experience minor bruising or sensitivity in the treatment area, but are able to return to work and other normal activities immediately after their appointment.

WILL I NEED MULTIPLE TREATMENTS?

Liposuction produces instant results, as the targeted fat is completely removed during treatment. For this reason, one liposuction treatment is enough to produce optimal results. After CoolSculpting®, it can take a few weeks or months to notice the full results. The body gradually eliminates destroyed fat cells during this time, so patients will notice a continued improvement in results after their treatment. However, some patients may need a series of treatments to achieve optimal results.

WHICH TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

If you are considering a body sculpting treatment, contact us today at Atlanta Aesthetics. We will be happy to help you schedule a consultation, during which time we will review your cosmetic goals in order to determine the treatment that is best for you. We welcome patients from Atlanta, Forsyth County and the neighboring areas of Georgia.