What Lipo Surgeons Don’t Want You to Know: CoolSculpting
Nonsurgical. Permanent. Fat reduction… Wait, are you serious?
CoolSculpting is no longer the “new kid on the block” in the world of medical weight loss treatments. In fact, many plastic surgeons are now recommending CoolSculpting as the go-to procedure instead of liposuction. However, not all lipo surgeons are happy about the amazing results attained by a few CoolSculpting treatments (especially those who don’t offer this as an alternative service).
So what is it that lipo surgeons don’t want you to know about CoolSculpting? Keep reading to find out.
CoolSculpting Produces Results Comparable to Liposuction
Yes. You heard that right!
Probably the biggest fact about CoolSculpting that lipo surgeons don’t want you to know is that most people can achieve comparable results to liposuction with a few treatments. No surgery required.
A group of plastic surgeons in California conducted a study on a large scale that evaluated the popularity and efficacy of CoolSculpting. Results from this research were published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in an article titled, “Broad Overview of a Clinical and Commercial Experience with CoolSculpting.”
On a daily basis, we have moms and other adults come to the clinic asking if CoolSculpting is as effective as liposuction. Inquiring minds will be delighted to hear the study found that:
- Cryolipolysis is an effective way to reduce the volume of fat just beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat).
- Adverse events were few, which included just three cases of mild to moderate pain/neuralgia which all resolved quickly.
- Patient satisfaction rates are high with dramatic growth displayed during the two-year duration of the study.
Notably, the lead author of the article concluded that:
“With careful treatment planning, proper applicator placement, and multiple treatment cycles, cryolipolysis can produce results comparable to those of liposuction.”
Not every clinic is equal when it comes to CoolSculpting. Do your homework and be sure you seek out a professional that is experienced at leveraging their Cryolipolysis tools and expertise for efficacy. Especially if you want to achieve amazing results similar to liposuction, it’s important to choose an experienced, and reputable CoolSculpting practitioner, such as our in-house “insert name here” who has more than “x” years of experience and hundreds of satisfied patients!
CoolSculpting is Safer than Liposuction
Pain. Infection. Scars. Liposuction certainly carries a significant risk of adverse events! According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the following are all potential risks of liposuction:
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Alterations in pigmentation
- Bruising
- Changes in sensations felt by the skin in treated areas
- Damages to other parts of the body such as:
- Nerves
- Lungs
- Blood vessels
- Muscles
- Abdominal organs
- Fluid accumulation
- Heat injury, or thermal burn, from the effects of ultrasound in the lipoplasty procedures that are ultrasound-assisted
- Infection
- Irregular shape or contours of the body such as asymmetries
- Loose or rippling skin, worsening of cellulite
- Need for subsequent surgeries for revisions
- Persistent swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Swelling
Phew! What a list! Now, let’s compare that to the list of adverse events associated with CoolSculpting, which are limited to localized reactions and include:
- Redness, swelling or bruising
- Pain, stinging or aching
- Delayed-onset pain
- Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), which is very rare
It doesn’t take a surgeon (pun-intended) to figure out which procedure is considered safer. In fact, this is the main reason most patients that have the CoolSculpting treatment done choose it over lipo surgery.
You Can Return to Work Immediately Following CoolSculpting
No working out for one to two months. Taking multiple days off work. Ugh… Who has time for that?
Liposuction is a major surgical event that requires significant recovery downtime in order to return to normal activities such as work and exercise. On the contrary, CoolSculpting requires no significant downtime according to a medical journal study.
Patients who’ve had CoolSculpting done at our clinic rave about how convenient the procedure was. With an average time of 30 to 60 minutes per treatment, satisfaction is drawn from the fact that it can be done without hindering schedules and cash flow.
Certain Body Parts Respond Better to CoolSculpting
Outpacing liposuction when it comes to specific parts of the body such as the inner knee and upper arms – CoolSculpting is more effective than lipo surgery in certain areas. Typically, parts of the body that do not have a large volume of fat are not ideal for liposuction and overcorrection is a serious risk that can result in irregular contours. Parts of the body better suited for CoolSculpting include:
- Armpit “puffs” of fat
- Inner thighs (liposuction is risky for inner thighs as it frequently causes asymmetry)
- “Banana rolls” which are the rolls of fat on the upper thighs just below the buttocks (liposuction in this area often creates an excessive loose skin or increases cellulite)
- Mid-back fat accumulation at the bra-line
- Fat under the chin responsible for the “double chin” appearance
Not only is CoolSculpting more effective for treating specific parts of the body, but it’s also better than liposuction for certain patients. In particular, those who do not have a large volume of fat that needs to be removed are better candidates for CoolSculpting than for liposuction.
No Special Preparation is Required for the Treatment
Make no mistake, liposuction is not a simple “in-and-out” procedure. Most plastic surgeons require significant preparation for the surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicates the following may be requested prior to liposuction:
- Medical evaluation
- Lab testing
- Addition or discontinuation of certain medications
- Smoking cessation
- Avoidance of anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin prior to the surgery as they may increase bleeding time
- An arrangement of transportation to and from the procedure
- Someone to stay with you for at least the first night after liposuction
Let’s compare these pre-requirements to those for CoolSculpting.
- Nada
- Zilch
- None
Impressive, right? You can literally drive yourself to and from your CoolSculpting appointment, without any type of preparation beforehand. Sit back and enjoy the benefits of fat reduction without taking away from your life. The independence of being able to do it alone allows you to keep the procedure discreet if you would rather people not know you had it done.
Liposuction Hurts, CoolSculpting Doesn’t (Usually)
Besides mild discomfort during the procedure and occasional minimal pain following the treatment, CoolSculpting is pain-free for the majority of patients. On a daily basis, we have people who play on their phones, listen to music, or catch up on a good book during CoolSculpting.
Intense swelling, bruising, and muscular pain are common following lipo surgery. Pain experienced post-liposuction can be caused by a variety of adverse events in addition to the anticipated postoperative pain.
CoolSculpting Takes Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Processes
No matter which type of lipo surgery is used, there is nothing natural about sucking the fat out of your body rapidly in large quantities. As a result, your body seeks to restore balance and the disruption can lead to adverse events.
Freezing the fat cells in the body during CoolSculpting causes them to liquidate and disperse. Naturally, the body eliminates these dead cells by the liver’s excretion processes.
Contouring is also done in a more natural manner with CoolSculpting than with lipo surgery. A common problem following liposuction is the overcorrection or undercorrection of a specific treatment area. Because CoolSculpting delivers the cooling temperatures evenly across a part of the body, the risk of irregular contours is next to none.
Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of CoolSculpting?
Now that you know all the top benefits of CoolSculpting that’s threatening the lipo surgery industry, are you ready to take the next step? Find out if you are an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting today by calling us at 813.981.9339 and making an appointment for your risk-free consultation.