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Are you dreaming of a more slender and sculpted body? If so, you might be considering a body contouring procedure. But with so many treatments available, you might feel lost when trying to navigate your options.

Among the most popular options for removing excess fat and achieving a more contoured appearance are CoolSculpting, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. Each procedure offers unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding the key differences between them is essential for making an informed decision. Whether you’re seeking to target specific areas of stubborn fat or looking for a more comprehensive transformation, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to help choose the optimal procedure for your unique needs.


Table of Contents

Procedures Overview

Treatment Areas

Amount and Type of Tissue Eliminated

Invasiveness, Anesthesia and Pain

Recovery and Downtime

Results Timeline

Cost


Procedures Overview

CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure that uses a special device to freeze and destroy fat cells. The procedure is FDA approved and popular for its quick treatment time and effective results without requiring incisions or downtime.

How It Works

CoolSculpting uses a controlled cooling method called cryolipolysis to freeze and kill fat cells without damaging the surrounding tissues. During the treatment, Dr. Vasisht (“Dr. V”) places a handheld device on your targeted area that delivers cold temperatures, causing your fat cells to freeze and ultimately die. Over time, your body naturally eliminates the dead fat cells through its lymphatic system, resulting in more slender contours in the treated area.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from specific areas of the body using a suction technique. Also known as lipoplasty, this procedure has been around for many years and has a proven track record of safety and effectiveness. Liposuction can be combined with other body contouring surgeries, such as tummy tuck surgery, for more comprehensive results. 

How It Works

During the liposuction procedure, Dr. V makes small incisions in the targeted area and inserts a small tube called a cannula attached to a vacuum device. He uses the cannula to strategically suction out fat cells, contouring your body to the desired shape. Dr. V also offers a type of laser liposuction known as Smartlipo that uses a smaller cannula and laser energy that makes the procedure more gentle, resulting in less downtime and a reduced chance of side effects.

Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat and loose skin from the abdomen while tightening the muscles in the abdominal wall. This procedure can provide significant results in terms of creating a flatter, more toned appearance in your midsection.

How It Works

During full tummy tuck surgery, Dr. V makes a horizontal incision along the lower abdomen and an incision around the belly button. He then removes excess fat and loose skin and stitches separated abdominal muscles back together for a firmer core with improved muscle tone. He then pulls the remaining skin down and sutures it in place.

If you have concerns below the belly button only, a mini tummy tuck offers a less invasive procedure by using just the lower abdominal incision to address the area. If you have a significant amount of excess fat in your midsection, liposuction can be used during your tummy tuck to remove additional fat deposits. 

 

Treatment Areas

CoolSculpting®: Multiple Areas 

CoolSculpting has several applicators designed to fit the curvature of various areas of your body, and you can choose to address just one or multiple areas at a time.

Possible CoolSculpting® Treatment Areas Include: 

  • Beneath the chin (double chin)
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Flanks (love handles)
  • Thighs (inner and outer)
  • Underneath the buttocks (banana roll)
  • Bra fat
  • Back

Liposuction: Nearly Any Area 

Liposuction is a versatile procedure, able to target fat in nearly any area of your body. It can also target multiple areas during one operation.

Possible Liposuction Treatment Areas Include: 

  • Beneath the chin (double chin)
  • Neck
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Flanks (love handles)
  • Thighs (inner and outer)
  • Underneath the buttocks (banana roll)
  • Bra fat 
  • Back
  • Chest
  • Buttocks
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Ankles 

Tummy Tuck: The Midsection 

Tummy tuck surgery can address the entire front of your midsection, from just below your chest down to your pubic area. This procedure can recontour your belly button and eliminate a “spare tire” and “muffin top” to create a smaller, trimmer waist. In some cases, an extended incision may be used to address excess tissue on your sides (“love handles”) and hips.  

Tummy Tuck Surgery Can Address the Following Areas: 

  • Abdomen
    • Upper abdomen/rib area
    • Middle abdomen and belly button
    • Lower abdomen/belly “pooch” 
  • Flanks
  • Hips

Amount and Type of Tissue Eliminated

CoolSculpting®: Small to Moderate Fat Deposits

CoolSculpting can eliminate a moderate volume of excess fat, making it ideal for treating stubborn fat deposits you’ve tried to target with diet and exercise to no avail. According to clinical studies, CoolSculpting can reduce up to 25% of fat in the treated area per session. 

The amount of fat eliminated may vary depending on individual factors such as the size of the treatment area and the amount of excess fat present. If you’d like to achieve more dramatic fat reduction, multiple CoolSculpting treatments can be performed to further enhance your results.

Liposuction: Small to Large Fat Stores

Liposuction can effectively address large areas with high volumes of fat for more dramatic results compared to CoolSculpting. However, it can also target small, hard-to-reach areas of stubborn fat. Liposuction is also ideal for removing dense or fibrous fat tissue. 

Tummy Tuck: Large Amounts of Skin and Moderate Fat

A tummy tuck is the only procedure that eliminates excess skin and fat in the abdomen (while also correcting abdominal muscle separation). This makes abdominoplasty ideal for individuals who have lost significant weight or have excess skin and fat in the abdominal area due to pregnancy or aging.

Invasiveness, Anesthesia and Pain

CoolSculpting®: Non-invasive and No Anesthesia 

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive treatment that does not require any incisions, needles or anesthesia, making it the best option if you want to avoid surgery. While some patients experience mild discomfort or numbness during the treatment, no significant pain is associated with CoolSculpting.

Liposuction: Invasive and General or Local Anesthesia

Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure that requires small incisions to remove fat from the body. It is performed under general anesthesia, so you’re asleep and do not experience any pain. Smartlipo (laser-assisted liposuction) is slightly less invasive than traditional liposuction and can be performed using local anesthesia with sedation, making your recovery faster but still providing a painless procedure. 

Tummy Tuck: Invasive and General Anesthesia 

Tummy tuck surgery is an invasive procedure that involves more extensive incisions than liposuction. It also requires general anesthesia, so you’re asleep during the operation and do not feel any pain. 

Recovery and Downtime 

CoolSculpting®: No Downtime 

After CoolSculpting, there is generally no downtime required; you can resume most of your normal activities immediately. However, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercises that can raise your body temperature for 24 to 48 hours, including high-impact exercises and heavy lifting. Hot tubs, saunas and other direct heat sources should also be avoided for the first day. 

Liposuction: A Few Days to One Week of Downtime

After liposuction, recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and your body’s individual healing abilities. Generally, you can expect to take about one week off from work so you can recover at home. Smartlipo recovery is shorter than traditional liposuction recovery and usually requires a few days of downtime. For either liposuction option, you’ll need to take four to six weeks off from strenuous activities and exercise to allow your body to fully heal.

During your liposuction or Smartlipo recovery, you may experience swelling, bruising and soreness in the treated area. A compression garment should be worn for several weeks to reduce swelling and speed up your recovery.

Tummy Tuck: Seven to 10 Days of Downtime

The initial recovery period after tummy tuck surgery is typically seven to 10 days. Most patients need to take time off from work and other activities during this period to rest and recover at home. 

After your tummy tuck procedure, you will likely experience more swelling, bruising and discomfort than you would with liposuction or CoolSculpting. A full recovery can take several weeks, during which time you’ll need to wear a compression garment and refrain from strenuous activities.

Results Timeline

All three of these body contouring options typically show some results within a few weeks. Your final results may take months and will depend on the procedure and your individual circumstances.

CoolSculpting®: Most Noticeable Results After Three Months

After you undergo a CoolSculpting treatment, you may start to see results within a few weeks as your body processes and eliminates the frozen fat. However, the full effects of the treatment may take up to three months to become apparent. 

Depending on the size and number of areas treated, you may need two or three sessions to achieve your desired results. Each CoolSculpting treatment should be spaced 30 days apart, meaning it may take up to five months from your first treatment to see your final results. 

Liposuction: Most Noticeable Results After Two Months

Liposuction is a more immediate solution for removing excess fat. While the fat will be gone right away and your more slender contours will be noticeable, you may have swelling that camouflages your results for a few weeks. It may take up to six months for your full results to become apparent as your body adjusts to its more slim shape. 

Tummy Tuck: Most Noticeable Results After Two to Three Months

Like with CoolSculpting and liposuction, you may begin to see results after a tummy tuck within a few weeks. This procedure causes more bruising and swelling compared to liposuction, meaning it may take slightly longer to see noticeable changes. The results of a tummy tuck are often more dramatic than those of liposuction or CoolSculpting, but it may take several months for the full effects of the surgery to become apparent. 

Cost

As you might have guessed, CoolSculpting is generally the least expensive option and tummy tuck surgery is the most costly, leaving liposuction somewhere in the middle. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the cost of each procedure can vary drastically based on a variety of factors and that price shouldn’t be the main determinant for your procedure choice. 

The principal factors that can influence the cost of a body contouring procedure include:

  • The geographic location of the practice
  • The experience and skill level of the surgeon
  • The extent of work that needs to be done
  • Whether or not anesthesia and an operating room are required

The best way to determine the cost of the procedure(s) you’re considering is to schedule a consultation with Dr. V. He can evaluate your needs and provide you with personalized quotes.

CoolSculpting®: Lowest Cost Per Session 

CoolSculpting typically costs less than liposuction or tummy tuck surgery. However, if you need more than two treatments (especially if they are on larger treatment areas), the price of CoolSculpting may end up being comparable to the surgeon’s fee for one of the surgical procedures. But one of the benefits of CoolSculpting is that you can achieve noticeable fat reduction without surgery, and you also avoid the costs associated with anesthesia and the operating room. While it may seem like a significant investment, CoolSculpting can be a cost-effective alternative to more invasive procedures.

Liposuction: Mid-range 

Liposuction can be more expensive than CoolSculpting, as it’s a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia and often involves more extensive work by the plastic surgeon. However, it can be more cost-effective and achieve more dramatic results for larger areas of fat removal that would require multiple CoolSculpting treatments.

Tummy Tuck: Highest Cost 

Abdominoplasty is the most expensive of the three procedures due to the complexity of the surgery and because of the associated facility and anesthesia fees. However, the cost is worth it to many patients because of the comprehensive abdominal contouring it provides.

Choosing the Right Body Contouring Procedure for You

When considering CoolSculpting, liposuction or tummy tuck surgery, each procedure has its own benefits and drawbacks. The right choice for you depends on your individual needs, preferences and goals. The decision to undergo any cosmetic procedure (or combination of procedures) should be made after careful consideration and discussion with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. 

Dr. Vasisht takes all of the discussed factors and more into consideration to help you choose the body contouring procedure that best suits your needs and ideal cosmetic outcome. To schedule your consultation and begin your body transformation at South Shore Plastic Surgery, call 856-784-2639 or fill out our online contact form today!