CoolSculpting | Detroit, Grosse Pointe | Hutzel Women’s Health

What’s Better: CoolSculpting or Liposuction?

Liposuction surgery, invented in 1974, was the only way to remove stubborn fat without diet or exercise for many years. But in 2005 Allergen changed fat-loss treatments forever with a new, non-surgical fat freezing technique called CoolSculpting.

We have helped hundreds of women and men in Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Dearborn and across Wayne County “freeze away” stubborn body fat, with non-invasive CoolSculpting.

In this article we explain the differences between liposuction and CoolSculpting. As you will see, there are many benefits and advantages of CoolSculpting over liposuction!

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical technique that must be performed by a physician or surgeon. Most patients don’t need to be “put under” or “knocked out”, but liposuction does require the use of local anesthesia.

During liposuction several small incisions are made. A tube is inserted into the body through the incisions and the fat is “sucked out” through the tube. This vacuum tube is poked around under the skin to loosen and then suction out the fat.

There is also downtime after liposuction. It generally takes 3 to 7 days after liposuction before a patient can return to normal activities. Typically patients experience mild to moderate pain or discomfort after Liposuction for about 2 weeks and in some cases up to 2 months.

Additionally, swelling from the liposuction generally lasts for around 4 to 6 weeks, after which the fat loss results will be completely visible.

One advantage of liposuction is that typically only treatment per body area is needed. And, as with CoolSculpting, the fat removal is permanent and the fat cells will not return.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting, however, is non-surgical and completely non-invasive. Since no incisions are made, no anesthetic is needed. Additionally, there is absolutely no “downtime” with CoolSculpting. Patients are able to return to work or resume their normal activities immediately after CoolSculpting. You can even drive yourself home or return to work after your treatment.

While liposuction surgically suctions the fat cells out through small incisions, CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells using a handheld applicator placed on the skin. After the fat cells are frozen, the body naturally flushes the dead fat cells out over time.

After CoolSculpting there is not pain like there typically is after liposuction. And while there may be some minor swelling after CoolSculpting, it generally subsides in a week or two – rather than a month or two like liposuction.

Following treatment CoolSculpting patients begin to see results in as soon as 2 to 4 weeks, and more dramatic results can be seen after 2 months. Final CoolSculpting results will be visible in 3 to 5 months – which is also somewhat less time than liposuction.

Similarities & Differences of CoolSculpting & Liposuction

CoolSculpting and Liposuction both remove stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to exercise or dieting. And neither Liposuction nor CoolSculpting are effective weight loss methods for obesity, or for eliminating flabby, loose skin or muscles.

Both liposuction and CoolSculpting remove the fat cells permanently. So with either procedure the fat will never come back in the treated area(s).

However, CoolSculpting is non-surgical, non-invasive, requires no anesthetic and has no downtime compared to Liposuction. CoolSculpting also is much less painful than liposuction both during the treatment and afterwards.