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CoolSculpting vs. Surgical Body Contouring

For decades, liposuction was the only way women and men could reduce stubborn, exercise-resistant fat pockets. Though this procedure is highly effective, it’s also an invasive approach that comes with risks and potential complications.

Fortunately, advancements in cosmetic medicine have revolutionized body contouring. As a result, many safe and effective non-surgical options have emerged for fat reduction, such as CoolSculpting. Here are some differences between body sculpting surgery and CoolSculpting and which treatment may best suit you.

Non-Invasive vs. Surgical

CoolSculpting is the world’s most popular non-invasive fat reduction treatment. CoolSculpting employs a scientifically proven principle called cryolipolysis to freeze and destroy fat cells, after which your body will naturally flush them out. No scalpels, no sutures, and no downtime are necessary after CoolSculpting.

Liposuction includes general anesthesia, incisions, and a recovery period – consequences many people understandably wish to avoid. To begin, a surgeon will make incisions through which they will insert a thin tube called a cannula to break up unwanted fat cells and suction them out of the body.

Treatment Distinctions

CoolSculpting is convenient, lasting about 30 minutes on average. Throughout the treatment, you will remain conscious and can multitask by reading, reviewing emails, or taking a nap. Afterward, you can resume your typical daily schedule with minimal interruptions.

Since liposuction is surgery, you will need to be under anesthesia for a few hours, which entails some risks. You’ll need to have someone drive you home afterward and will have specific activity restrictions and directions to follow to ensure optimal healing. Like CoolSculpting, liposuction can provide excellent results, but you may experience swelling, bruising, or complications such as infection.

Difference in Cost

While the total price tag of liposuction varies per patient, on average, liposuction costs approximately double those of CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting cost depends on cooling cycles necessary for best results, the treatment site, and applicator size. In addition, liposuction has additional expenses associated with anesthesia, operating room, surgical staff, and any prescription medications you need afterward.

Recovery

CoolSculpting requires little to no downtime, and many refer to the procedure as a “lunchtime lipo.” However, when healing from liposuction, you will need to take time off work, avoid strenuous activities, and wear a compression garment to support the treated areas.

Results

Though liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, and there are limits to how much fat a surgeon can safely remove, the comparatively more aggressive approach will deliver correspondingly dramatic However, that does not mean CoolSculpting is a less effective solution. CoolSculpting providers have performed millions of sessions worldwide. Besides the positive reviews and remarkable before-and-after makeovers, medical research proves that cryolipolysis works. Studies indicate CoolSculpting reduces subcutaneous fat in a target area by up to 25% after only one session.

CoolSculpting Near Me

If you are contemplating fat reduction to enhance your body outline and are wondering whether you are a good candidate for CoolSculpting and liposuction, contact Key Laser Institute today and learn more. During your consultation with Dr. Douglas Key, he will answer your questions about the safety and efficacy and explain the advantages of CoolSculpting in Portland and the Pacific Northwest.

Schedule a consultation with the Key Laser Institute today by calling (503) 291-1953, or contact us online.

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