Coolsculpting vs. Liposuction

woman doing yoga after coolsculpting treatment

Liposuction and Coolsculpting are similar procedures in the fact that they both remove unwanted fat, however, one might be a better option for you depending on how much fat you want to be removed. 

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction, or lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and “sucks” fat from the body. 

The fat is removed through a hollow instrument, known as a cannula. This is inserted under the skin. A powerful, high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula.

Liposuction cost ranges from $2,000 to $3,500 per procedure

After lipo, the patient will have a two-week period of recovery.

Key points on Lipo:

  • The operation is normally carried out under general anesthesia.
  • Liposuction is not a weight-loss tool but a cosmetic procedure with subtle effects.
  • Risks include infection and scarring
  • If too much fat is removed, there may be lumpiness or dents in the skin.

Lipo permanently removes fat cells from the body, but if the person who gets lipo doesn’t live a healthy lifestyle after their procedure, the fat cells that remain in their body can grow which will result in more fat. It’s not an end all be all procedure. 

Who is the right candidate for Lipo?

If you’re looking to get rid of a significant amount of fat in multiple areas on your body and are able to take two weeks out of your life to recover from surgery, then liposuction might be an option for you. Consult your doctor to see if you are a candidate.

What is Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that freezes fat cells in the desired area to create a more sculpted look over time.

It works by placing an applicator on the area you wish to lose fat. Once applied, the applicator cools and freezes the fat in that area for 30 to 60 minutes. Coolsculpting doesn’t require any anesthesia or downtime. Because it’s a non-invasive procedure, you won’t have to worry about scarring or infection. 

Coolsculpting permanently removes 20 – 25% of fat cells from the body, but if the person who gets Coolsculpting doesn’t live a healthy lifestyle after their procedure, the fat cells that remain in their body can grow which will result in more fat. The same situation can happen if you get lipo, too. Neither is an end all be all procedures. 

woman doing yoga after coolsculpting treatment
After your Coolsculpting treatment, there is no downtime so you can continue living life like normal.

Why was my quote for Lipo less expensive than my quote for Coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting is priced per application, so when you get your arms, lower abs, and inner thighs done, you’re paying for 6 applications. If you end up needing 6+ cycles on more than one body part to achieve your desired look, it will likely be more expensive than lipo. 

If you want fat removed from multiple areas, lipo might end up being less expensive. 

Who is the right candidate for Coolsculpting?

We want to be frank and mention that Coolsculpting isn’t a procedure for people whose goal it is to lose weight, and neither is liposuction. Coolscupting is a procedure for those who already have a healthy lifestyle, who’ve put in the work to lose weight and keep it off, but just can’t seem to work off those last 5 lbs in their problem area. 

If you’re basing your Coolsculpting progress on the number you see on the scale, you won’t be happy. We recommend coming in for your monthly check-ups to track your progress with photos taken by our Grand Rapids Coolsculpting technicians. Tracking your progress with before and after photos is a more effective way to track your progress. 

It’s important to remember that it takes up to 90 days to see the results from 1 Coolsculpting treatment. Whereas lipo you notice the difference immediately after the procedure and notice more as your swelling goes down. 

Which fat-reduction procedure is worth your money?

It really boils down to each individual. If you’re looking to reduce fat in one or two areas of your body, Coolsculpting is for you. If you’re looking to get rid of a significant amount of fat in multiple areas of your body, lipo might be a more cost-effective option.

Lipo is typically more desired if there are multiple areas you want fat removed. These areas can be addressed at one time rather than having to return to do more CoolSculpting Elite treatments. 

Coolsculpting is ideal for patients who have smaller fat deposits they want to get rid of. It’s also great for those who want to avoid unnecessary surgery. 

How can I find out how much my Coolsculpting procedure will cost?

The best way for us to offer you insights as to how much your Coolsculpting treatments will cost is to come in for a free consultation. During this consultation, your Coolsculpting technician will listen to your body goals and be able to tell you how many treatments you will need and what the cost will be.

Urban You is running a SCARY GOOD DEAL on Coolsculpting treatments. When you purchase 3 treatments, you’ll receive a PCA Peel for FREE! Use the secret word HOCUSPOCUS to unlock these savings during your consultation!

Which is more effective?

Again, it really just depends on what you want for your body and on your situation. Both procedures will reduce the fat in the treated area. If a patient only wants to be more toned in their lower abs and is happy with the rest of their body, it doesn’t make sense to get lipo because you can get your desired result at a lower cost with CoolSculpting Elite. 

If you have multiple areas on your body that you want fat reduced in, it might make more sense to get lipo. 

Interested in our current CoolSculpting Elite promos?

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Buy 3 Coolsculpting treatments and you’ll receive a FREE PCA Peel! Use word HOCUSPOCUS during your free consultation to redeem savings!