Liposuction vs. CoolSculpting: Which is Right for You?
Despite eating right and exercising, many of us struggle with stubborn fat that just won’t budge no matter what we do. When diet and exercise aren’t enough to achieve your fitness goals, you might consider professional body contouring treatments. Two of the most popular options available today are liposuction and CoolSculpting — both treatments can effectively reduce unwanted fat, but they differ significantly in their approach, recovery time, and results.
At U Laser Med Spa in La Jolla, California, we understand the importance of making informed decisions about your body. Let’s compare these two popular fat reduction methods to help you determine which option might be best suited to your specific needs and goals.
CoolSculpting: Treatment, Benefits, Results
CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that harnesses the power of cold temperatures to contour your body. It works by triggering a process called cryolipolysis — when controlled cooling is applied to areas with stubborn fat cells, some of the fat cells die and they are eliminated naturally through the lymphatic system. Since fat cells are more sensitive to freezing temperatures, this is accomplished without harming the surrounding skin or tissues.
CoolSculpting treatments are completely noninvasive and only take about an hour to complete. A series of two to three sessions is typically needed for optimal body contouring. Each treatment will reduce the treated area by about 20%.The results are generally noticed over a few months and can take up to six months for the final results.
Benefits of CoolSculpting
- No incisions, surgery or anesthesia
- No recovery or downtime
- Permanent fat reduction with a healthy lifestyle
- Able to target your biggest problem areas
- FDA-cleared and proven effective
- Ideal for most people who struggle with smaller areas of stubborn fat
Liposuction: Treatment, Benefits, Results
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that precisely eliminates stubborn fat to sculpt firmer, slimmer body contours. It involves the use of a tumescent solution (a dilute anesthetic solution) and a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to break up and remove the unwanted fat.
While liposuction is a surgical procedure, it is considered minimally invasive, as the thin cannulas allow for smaller incisions and little to no visible scarring. Depending on the size and scope of the treatment area, liposuction can even be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. With the safety of modern anesthesia, many patients opt for general anesthesia.
Advanced tools and techniques — such as power-assisted liposuction or SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction) — also reduce trauma to the surrounding tissues by making fat cells easier to remove, reducing the bruising and swelling typically seen with traditional liposuction. The laser used in SmartLipo also helps to tighten the skin.
For most people, liposuction is considered a one-and-done procedure, unless they desire a significant amount of fat reduction in several areas of the body. It can safely remove up to 5L of total aspirate (fat and fluids) at once, making it an effective solution for those seeking immediate, dramatic results in a single treatment session.
Benefits of Liposuction
- Performed as an outpatient procedure using general or local anesthesia
- Effectively removes stubborn fat from nearly anywhere on the body
- Completely customizable to meet your unique needs
- Small incisions
- Permanently removes unwanted fat
- Results can be dramatic
- SmartLipo can help tighten the skin
- In most cases, no need for repeat treatments or sessions
Which Is Right for Me?
Both CoolSculpting and liposuction can help you achieve better body contours — deciding which one is right for you comes down to your needs, goals and preferences. Some people prefer to avoid surgery and can achieve their desired results after a series of CoolSculpting treatments, while others prefer the more targeted and dramatic results of liposuction.
It’s important to keep in mind that no matter which procedure you choose, both are designed for body contouring rather than weight loss and work best for people with localized fat depots that don’t respond well to diet or exercise. Other factors to consider may include the following:
Amount of Excess Fat
If you have significant fat deposits or want to treat multiple areas simultaneously, liposuction may be more appropriate. For less dramatic fat reduction in key areas like the abdomen, flanks, upper arms, thighs or underneath the chin, CoolSculpting might be the better choice.
Timeline & Convenience
Consider your schedule and ability to take time off from work or other activities after surgery. If you can’t afford downtime, CoolSculpting’s no-recovery approach may be more practical. Multiple areas can be treated at the same time with the newest Coolsculpting devices.
Budget
Liposuction typically involves a higher upfront cost but might be more economical for treating multiple areas at the same time. CoolSculpting has a lower cost per session, but multiple treatments may be necessary, potentially making the total investment comparable in some cases.
Candidacy for Surgery
Liposuction carries the risks associated with any surgical procedure, including infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. If you have certain health conditions or take medications that increase surgical risks, the nonsurgical nature of CoolSculpting might be safer.
Maintaining Your Results
Both CoolSculpting and liposuction permanently reduce fat cells in treated areas — once the fat cells are gone, they are gone for good. However, significant weight gain can still cause the remaining fat cells to expand, negatively impacting your long-term results. Regardless of which treatment you choose, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for maintaining your new contours long term.
Expert Guidance at U Laser Med Spa and Umansky Plastic Surgery
The best way to determine whether liposuction or CoolSculpting is right for you is to consult with our experts. At U Laser Med Spa, our CoolSculpting experts have extensive experience helping patients achieve their body contouring goals without surgery. For those considering liposuction, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky at Umansky Plastic Surgery offer personalized surgical solutions with exceptional results.
During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your concerns, discuss your aesthetic goals, and recommend the treatment option best suited to your needs. Our team proudly serves patients throughout the San Diego area, helping them achieve the body contours they desire with treatments tailored to their unique circumstances.
CoolSculpting | Liposuction | |
| No incisions, surgery or anesthesia | ✅ | ❌ |
| Permanent results with a healthy lifestyle | ✅ | ✅ |
| Targets stubborn fat | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dramatic results in a single session | ❌ | ✅ |
| Zero downtime | ✅ | ❌ |
| Great for weight loss | ❌ | ❌ |
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re considering CoolSculpting’s no-downtime approach or the dramatic results of liposuction, our team is here to help you make the right choice. At U Laser Med Spa, we know that looking your best helps you feel your best, so we’re committed to providing treatments that deliver beautiful, confidence-boosting results. If you’re bothered by stubborn fat, call our La Jolla office today at 858-281-4560 or book online to learn more about your treatment options!