If you look around your neighborhood, you’ll notice at least one of your neighbors exercising and trying to lose weight or at least stay in shape. Although you may only see a few in your neighborhood, nearly half of all Americans over 20 are trying to take control of their health by exercising. Because most of us are more sedentary, especially after the pandemic, and many of us don’t cook our own food anymore, staying slim is a challenge.
And even for those of us that are exercising, there are stubborn pockets of fat that don’t seem to budge no matter what exercise we perform. So, some of us turn to alternatives like liposuction and CoolSculpting to get rid of those bulges that won’t go away no matter what we do. Though both are common ways to take off the fat, liposuction risks can be much more serious than Coolsculpting.
So, what are the dangers of liposuction, and why should you consider Coolsculpting instead?
Fat Loss – The Difference Between Liposuction and Coolsculpting
As mentioned before, both methods are common ways to get rid of stubborn fat. However, here are a few other things to know about the two methods for removing fat.
Liposuction
This method of fat removal is one of the most sought-after procedures for getting rid of stubborn fat. It is an invasive plastic surgery technique in which a doctor removes fat in various trouble areas of the body, particularly the stomach area and arms. It is ideal for those with good skin elasticity, are relatively good shape, and within 30 percent of the ideal body weight and good medical condition. It is also best for those that don’t smoke. Liposuction is not limited to a specific gender. Both men and women have stubborn pockets of fat in the breast, lower abdomen, and the love handle areas.
There are four common types of liposuction. They are as follows:
Super-wet liposuction
With this pain-free procedure, a doctor injects fluids into the body and removes the fat along with the liquid.
Tumescent liposuction
One of the most common procedures, this method is like the super-wet liposuction procedure but uses much more liquid.
Laser-assisted liposuction
This technique liquefies and removes fat using lasers that are set to a very high degree of heat.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction
Like the laser-assisted technique, this method liquefies fat using ultrasonic vibrations instead of lasers. It is also a good choice if you plan to remove the fat and place it in another body area.
Coolsculpting
This method of removing fat, also referred to as cryolipolysis, differs from liposuction primarily because it is a non-invasive technique. While both approaches aim to help with body contouring, Coolsculpting removes body fat by freezing fat out of stubborn fat areas. Unlike liposuction, there is no downtime involved to heal from the procedure. With liposuction, the downtime for any activity is a week and for physical activity is four to six weeks.
However, with Coolsculpting, you can return to doing everyday activities the same day of the procedure. You can even work out if you like. After getting Coolsculpting, you will notice visible results in about three weeks, whereas, with liposuction, it can take up to three months to see results.
The average cost of liposuction ranges between $3,000 and $8,000, while the average costs of Coolsculpting can range between $1000 to $4000. These cost ranges vary depending on where on the body the procedure is performed and where in the U.S. the procedure is performed.
For instance, the cost range to remove fat in the stomach will likely be higher than in the arm area. Also, the cost range of these procedures in Hawaii may be drastically different from the cost in Tennessee. Finally, the cost range for both methods could increase if you must have multiple procedures done. For each, it is a good idea to work with a licensed professional to ensure your safety. Below is a condensed list for each procedure that allows you to compare them.
Liposuction
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- Procedure may cost more
- Uses four methods to remove fat
- Downtime may take up to a week
- Results appear in 1-3 months
- Invasive
CoolSculpting
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- Procedure may be slightly cheaper
- Uses a machine that freezes away fat
- No downtime
- Results appear in a few weeks
- Non-invasive
Dangers of Liposuction
As you can see in the side-by-side comparison above, both techniques aim to get rid of fat, with Coolsculpting getting results faster, without surgery, and for less money. Liposuction can be riskier than the Coolsculpting technique, however. Here are five of the most common liposuction risks.
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- It can cause body deformity that may not be reversible.
- Liposuction can cause life-threatening skin infections.
- Bodily organs can be punctured by the cannula tube (used to extract fat), resulting in emergency surgical repair.
- The kidneys, heart, and lungs can result in life-threatening problems due to the drastic change in bodily fluids.
- Liposuction may cause blood clots.
Coolsculpting also has side effects, but they are not nearly as bad as liposuction risks. Some of these side effects include itching, swelling, and redness. Other more severe problems may involve cramping and diarrhea. If you are looking for an alternative that can help you remove unwanted fat in a short time with minimal side effects, it may be a good idea to try Coolsculpting. Contact your local Coolsculpting practitioner to learn more about the procedure.
If you live in Michigan, Body Sculpting Spa in St Clair Shores is the place that will meet all your body sculpting and enhancement needs. As a premiere provider of noninvasive fat reduction services, we have many options for fat reduction, skin tightening, wrinkle smoothing and facial enhancement services available. Meet with one of our spa specialists for a Free Consultation to best determine what procedure is right for you. Call for an appointment today and get started on the body goals you’ve been yearning for!