Living a healthy lifestyle consisting of regular exercises and a healthy diet are often touted as a safe way for achieving a slim and toned physique. However, despite following a strict healthy diet and consistently exercising, many individuals find that there are certain areas of their body that are still prone to stubborn fatty deposits. People who have not been successful in achieving their aesthetic goals through conventional means may opt for a surgical or non-surgical fat reduction procedure to resolve this challenge. The surgical fat reduction procedure is Liposuction while the non-surgical procedure is CoolSculpting.
Although both of these techniques are effective treatments for reducing adipose tissue and improving the body contour, they are in fact very different from each other.
Liposuction
When it comes to treating excess subcutaneous fat, liposuction remains the gold standard and it is one of the most popular Plastic Surgery procedures. It is a surgical procedure and it involves the Plastic Surgeon making one or more small incisions on the treatment areas and inserting a cannula through these incisions. A cannula is a long, narrow suction tool and it is moved in a back and forth motion to dislodge the fat cells. Liposuction may be performed under sedation, local anesthesia, or general anesthesia depending on the number of treatment areas and the amount of fat being removed.
Liposuction can be used to treat a wide range of body areas such as the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, back, flanks, buttocks, hips, thighs, and knees.
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is also known as cryolipolysis, it is a non-invasive fat reduction technique. It involves your practitioner using a vacuum applicator to deliver controlled cooling on the skin surface of the target areas. This exposes the fat cells to critically low temperatures thus inducing crystallization and subsequent cell death of the targeted fatty deposits.
CoolSculpting is used to treat fat cells in the submental region (double chin), abdomen, flanks, and thighs.
Which option would best suit me?
When choosing between CoolSculpting and Liposuction, there are a few primary factors to consider:
Treatment goals
Liposuction is a great treatment option for reducing excess fat over larger body areas or for individuals who are looking for a more dramatic change in body contour. You can attain your desired results after just a single session of liposuction and furthermore, it can be combined with other procedures such as autologous fat transfer. The effects of liposuction such as improved body contour can be noticeable within days following the procedure.
CoolSculpting treats focal pockets of fat and individuals who are undergoing the procedure should expect mild to moderate improvement in the targeted areas. Multiple treatment sessions are normally needed to achieve the desired results. The results of CoolSculpting take about 3 months to be noticeable.
Good Candidate
A good candidate for liposuction should be in good overall health, have excess fat deposits, and have realistic expectations. He/she should also have good skin elasticity and be near or at a stable weight.
A good candidate for CoolSculpting should be in good overall health, have localized fat deposits, and minimal skin laxity. He/she should expect mild to moderate improvement.
Recovery period
Following liposuction, individuals can resume work and most activities in about a week. There will be some swelling, numbness, and bruising following the procedure but this subsides in the coming weeks. Days after the procedure there will be a noticeable reduction in the overall fullness and improved contour with the final results showing in the next several months.
CoolSculpting has a quick recovery with minimal discomfort. Individuals can resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. You may experience numbness, redness, tingling, and minor bruising but these resolve quickly.
The most appropriate treatment option is one that aligns with your treatment goals and your personal preferences. Consulting with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is the best way to determine the treatment that will suit you best.
Book Your Appointment for a Consultation
Would you like to understand what options are available for Body Contouring in Dubai? Meet one of our experts at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery for a personal consultation to develop a tailor-made plan for you. Contact us or Book an appointment and our patient care coordinators will identify the most suitable expert for you.