Liposuction and CoolSculpting are popular aesthetic procedures for reducing fat that patients usually can’t eliminate with diet and exercise. Both treatments permanently eliminate fat, but they work differently.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that gives great results for patients who want to reduce larger fat areas. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment for patients who have smaller pockets of resistant fat.
Read on to learn about the differences between liposuction and CoolSculpting, and discover which procedure is better suited for your body.
What Is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is a popular cosmetic treatment that uses cryolipolysis (cold therapy) to freeze and permanently destroy fat cells in the treatment area. It eliminates fat that is difficult to get rid of with diet and exercise, helping people achieve a leaner, finely contoured body without downtime.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that permanently eliminates fat from target areas using a surgical suction tool called a cannula. Like CoolSculpting, it targets stubborn fat, but it is a more invasive treatment requiring a recovery period.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: What Are the Differences?
The following table summarizes how CoolSculpting and liposuction differ.
| Liposuction | CoolSculpting | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Surgical procedure for fat removal. | Non-surgical procedure for fat removal. |
| How does it work? | Physically removes fat from underneath the skin using a cannula (suction tool). | Freezes off fat cells with a cooling device applied to the area treated. |
| Which areas does it treat? | Belly, upper arms, buttocks, calves, ankles, chest, back, thighs, hips, chin, and neck. | Stomach, upper arms, flanks, underneath the buttocks, back, thighs, under the chin, under the jaw, and bra fat. |
| Who is a suitable candidate? | Healthy people with large areas of fat. | Healthy people with smaller pockets of fat. |
| How long is the procedure? | Up to several hours. | 35-60 minutes. |
| What are the side effects? | Common: Pain, swelling, bruising, and numbness. Rare: Skin infection, internal puncture wounds, blood clotting, and allergic reaction. | Redness, numbness, swelling, bruising, itching. Rare: Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. |
| How long is the recovery? | Approximately one week. | Little to no recovery time. |
| When can you see the results? | Within two to four weeks. | Within three weeks. |
| How long do the results last? | Permanently, with a healthy diet and exercise. | Permanently, with a healthy diet and exercise. |
| How many treatments are needed? | Usually, just one. | Usually, one to three treatments. |
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Ideal Candidates
CoolSculpting
Healthy individuals with up to 30 pounds of excess weight are considered good candidates for CoolSculpting. Because the applicator is designed to suck in pockets of fat, it is not efficient for very large or very small fat areas.
The following conditions could prevent you from getting a CoolSculpting treatment:
- Pregnancy
- Bleeding disorders
- Recent surgeries
- Cold urticaria
- Cold agglutinin disease
- Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Hernia
- Anxiety
- Varicose veins
Liposuction
Candidates for liposuction are healthy individuals within 30% of their ideal weight who want dramatic fat reduction results after one treatment. Usually, people with larger fat areas opt for liposuction rather than non-invasive cosmetic treatments. Liposuction candidates should also have firm, elastic skin that will successfully contract to the newly contoured body after the treatment.
The following conditions may prevent you from getting liposuction:
- Pregnancy
- Bleeding disorders
- Cardiovascular problems
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Target Areas
CoolSculpting
The FDA approved CoolSculpting for fat reduction in the following areas:
- Thighs
- Stomach
- Flanks or love handles
- Bra fat
- Back
- Buttocks
- Arms
- Under the jaw
- Under the chin (double chin)
Note: Learn about the seven most popular CoolSculpting areas.
Liposuction
Liposuction is FDA-approved for fat removal in any area where fat deposits accumulate, including:
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Flanks
- Bra fat
- Back
- Buttocks
- Upper arms
- Underarms
- Chin
- Neck
- Calves and ankles
- Knees
- Hips
- Chest
- Breasts
- Cheeks
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: The Procedures
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting uses a cooling device that sucks in pockets of fat like a vacuum and performs controlled cooling to the target area. When the device reaches 39-41° F, it freezes the fat cells without harming the surrounding tissues, muscles, nerves, and the skin.
The procedure lasts 35-60 minutes. CoolSculpting doesn’t require the use of anesthesia.
It’s typically painless, but it may cause discomfort that goes away after the treatment area becomes numb.
It takes the body up to six months after the procedure to flush the frozen fat cells out in the form of waste.
Liposuction
Before the surgery, the patient is given general or local anesthesia, depending on the size of the treatment area. During liposuction, the plastic surgeon makes one or more small cuts along the target area. They insert a long, thin tube called a cannula through the incision to remove fat from underneath the skin. By making precise cuts, the surgeon is able to contour the patient’s body according to their wishes.
The procedure may last several hours, depending on the size of the treatment area.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: The Results
CoolSculpting
One CoolSculpting treatment eliminates up to 25% of fat in the treatment area. The effects are mild to moderate, and patients usually need more than one treatment for visible results.
The fat gradually disappears over several months as it takes time to flush out the destroyed fat cells. However, the first results appear within three weeks of the procedure. If you eat in moderation and exercise, the eliminated fat cells don’t come back.
Liposuction
The results of liposuction are permanent and expected after one procedure. Changes in the body shape are visible after a few weeks, whereas final results appear within three months of the surgery.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Side Effects
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a safe, FDA-approved treatment with a low risk of complications and mild side effects.
Common side effects include:
- Redness
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Itching
In extremely rare situations, patients have experienced paradoxical adipose hyperplasia – a condition that expands fat cells rather than destroys them.
Liposuction
Like any surgery, liposuction carries more risks than a non-invasive treatment. The risks increase with the number and size of treatment areas.
Common side effects include:
- Blood clotting
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Numbness
Rare and more severe side effects include:
- Skin infection
- Internal puncture wounds
- Blood clotting
- Allergic reaction
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Aftercare
CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting requires no downtime, but patients are advised to follow certain aftercare guidelines to reduce the risk of complications and unwanted effects. The CoolSculpting aftercare tips include:
- Massaging the treatment area a few times a day for several days post-treatment.
- Wearing compression garments to reduce swelling and pain.
- Drinking plenty of water to speed up the elimination of destroyed fat cells.
- Avoiding alcohol and sugar.
- Engaging in light exercise to increase blood circulation.
Liposuction
Liposuction patients typically leave the hospital after surgery, but they need to rest and recover at home. Liposuction recovery requires following these aftercare guidelines:
- Wearing compression garments for one or two weeks to reduce swelling.
- Wearing drainage tubes to prevent fluid from accumulating at the incision sites.
- Taking pain medication, if necessary.
- Avoiding unnecessary physical activity for several weeks.
- Avoiding strenuous activity at least six weeks.
- Staying hydrated.
- Eating balanced, nutritionally rich food.
- Getting plenty of rest and sleep during the first few weeks.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Cost
CoolSculpting
How much will CoolSculpting cost depends on the size of the treatment area and the number of required treatments. It ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
At Vibrant Skin Bar, one CoolSculpting session costs $900. If you want to treat a larger area and need more treatments, you can save by purchasing a package with more sessions. Our friendly medical professionals will present available promo packages during the initial consultation.
Liposuction
The cost of liposuction depends on the location of the plastic surgeon and the amount of fat for treatment. The average liposuction costs around $3,600.
CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: How to Choose?
Candidates with larger fat areas see more dramatic results with liposuction, while patients with smaller pockets of pinchable fat opt for the non-invasive CoolSculpting.
Here are some questions to help you choose between the two treatments.
- How much fat do you wish to eliminate? Is it a pinchable pocket of fat or a larger fat area?
- Do you accept the risks involved when having surgery?
- Can you take time off for recovery after liposuction?
- Are you willing to undergo more than one treatment?
Conclusion
CoolSculpting and liposuction are effective fat-reduction treatments. Both yield positive results to people with realistic expectations and readiness to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the procedure.
Hopefully, our comparison article will help you decide which treatment is right for you.
