Are your diet and exercise attempts failing to provide the body sculpting results you desire? If you have trouble spot-toning areas of excess fat, such as your abdomen, arms, legs, back or hips, Dr. Charles S. Lee of Enhance® Medical Center offers several fat reduction tools.
In this post, Dr. Lee compares two of the most popular options — CoolSculpting and liposuction — so you understand their benefits and limitations.
What CoolSculpting Entails
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical treatment that uses cryolipolysis, or a type of technology that freezes unwanted fat. The device applicator is placed over the targeted fatty bulge and pulls on the tissue, exposing it to precise temperatures. The cold temperatures permanently break down the fat cells without affecting nearby internal structures or skin.
In the months initially following CoolSculpting treatment, the body naturally eliminates the destroyed fat cells, and the treated area gradually looks slimmer and sleeker. Multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the desired results, depending on the size of the target area.
Is CoolSculpting right for your needs?
You may be interested in CoolSculpting if you wish to reduce selective fatty bulges without the time commitment or recovery downtime required of surgery. Anesthesia is not necessary, and most patients are able to relax, read or watch television during treatment sessions.
After CoolSculpting, there are no healing incisions to care for, and virtually no activity restrictions. The results take time to appear, but will continue to improve over time as the body processes the destroyed fat cells.
What Liposuction Entails
Liposuction can be used to sculpt larger areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs and back as well as smaller areas like the chin and neck. During liposuction, Dr. Lee makes small openings in the skin of the target treatment area. Using a tube, he breaks up pockets of unwanted fatty tissue and uses suction to remove the fat from the body.
After liposuction, the treated area is usually sore, swollen and bruised. Strenuous activities are off-limits until the body heals. Most of the aftereffects subside within one to two weeks of treatment, at which point patients are able to return to their normal routines. Vigorous activities may not be permitted until three to four weeks after surgery.
Is liposuction right for your needs?
Liposuction may be the better choice if you have larger volumes of excess fat or desire more noticeable body sculpting results. Although liposuction requires anesthesia and a short recovery period, it is a one-time procedure that offers more transformative outcomes than what can be achieved with CoolSculpting. If you have the time to commit to planning, undergoing and recovering from liposuction, it may make more sense for your goals.
Let Us Help You Decide
If you are still debating between the two treatments, Dr. Lee and our team are here to guide you to make the right decision for your circumstances. To request a consultation with Dr. Lee, please contact Enhance® Medical Center today.
