Best Body Contouring Options: CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction


What’s the best way to lose weight and gain a trimmer figure? The answer, of course, is sound nutrition and regular exercise. This combination has always offered the best, healthiest, and most sustainable way of improving your figure and your overall health.

But what if diet and exercise just don’t work? At Charlotte Plastic Surgery, we hear from patients all the time who’ve tried their best to lose weight, but still have stubborn deposits of fat they just can’t seem to shake.

For these patients, we often recommend body contouring, which helps target those stubborn flabs and provides a more streamlined appearance. As you consider body contouring options, there are two specific treatments to think about: CoolSculpting and Liposuction.

In this post, we’ll offer some words of advice for those who are trying to decide between these two body contouring options.

Are You a Good Candidate for Body Contouring?

Before we get into the two body contouring options, however, let’s consider a more foundational question: Is body contouring right for you?

The first thing to note is that body contouring isn’t actually about weight loss; while it’s possible that you might shed a few pounds, body contouring usually doesn’t do much to change the number on the scale. It’s more about changing the appearance of your body by eliminating extra flab around your waistline, your buttocks, your thighs, your arms, your chin, or your neck. Getting rid of this extra skin can significantly change your appearance, even if it has minimal impact on the number you see on the scale.

Second, we generally recommend body contouring for individuals who have developed a healthy lifestyle and have reached a sustainable weight. This is not meant to be a shortcut for healthy eating and exercise. Instead, it’s for patients who have tried other methods and not gotten the results they need.

In particular, body contouring can often be prudent for moms who are simply looking to regain their pre-maternity bodies. And it may be a good option for those who have experienced significant weight fluctuations and have some extra skin they need to eliminate.

What’s the Best Body Contouring Option?

With all of that said, let’s take a closer look at the two body contouring options that are available at Charlotte Plastic Surgery: CoolSculpting vs Liposuction. What do they entail, and which one is right for you?

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical intervention, wherein we target some of the stubborn fat deposits you can’t get rid of and literally suck them out of the body. This is a very commonplace procedure; in fact, it’s one of the most commonly practiced surgeries in the United States.

A number of liposuction methods exist, and at our practice, we stick to just a few. In particular, we like to use what’s known as the super-wet technique, which allows us to target fat more effectively, and also helps minimize post-surgical bruising.

Liposuction is most often used to eliminate stubborn deposits of fat around the upper arms, hips, abdomen, and thighs. Additionally, it can be a helpful way to get rid of the “double chin” look. Again, it may have minimal impact on body weight but can provide you with a more svelte appearance.

As with any surgery, liposuction comes with a need for rest and recovery. There can be some mild pain and bruising, but most patients say it subsided after 48 hours. Your surgeon will likely recommend you get up and start walking around ASAP, which will help reduce swelling, though heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided for a few weeks.

Liposuction Patient Results

Before and After Liposuction Results

CoolSculpting

The other option for body contouring is CoolSculpting, which has one major advantage over liposuction: It doesn’t require any surgical intervention. It’s something we can do right here in our office, without the need for sedation. And there is really no recovery or downtime involved.

CoolSculpting provides similar results to liposuction, allowing you to target a specific area of your body and eliminate stubborn fat deposits. The difference is that CoolSculpting may not be powerful enough to address some of the more significant fat deposits; for bigger jobs, our surgeons will likely recommend liposuction.

So how does CoolSculpting work, exactly? It literally freezes fat cells, which kills them; your body will then naturally eliminate those dead fat cells in a few weeks’ time.

CoolSculpting is a safe and painless procedure, and there have already been millions of CoolSculpting sessions worldwide. A single session will take between 30 and 40 minutes on average, though it may take a few sessions for you to get the results you’re after.

CoolSculpting Patient Results

CS Abdomen

What Are The Best Body Contouring Options for You?

Regarding CoolSculpting vs Liposuction pros and cons the approaches may be pretty obvious. Liposuction is ultimately more powerful, and better suited for more significant fat deposits. CoolSculpting is quicker, less expensive, and doesn’t require surgical intervention or downtime.

The reality is that there isn’t really a best body contouring option; both methods are safe and effective, and both have their place. It really depends on your needs and your aesthetic goals. As you think about these two body contouring options, we recommend making an appointment with one of our providers. We’ll answer your questions, confirm that you are a healthy candidate and help you determine which technique is the best fit for you.

Contact Charlotte Plastic Surgery to Discuss Body Contouring Options

Many of us have had the experience of unwanted fat deposits or flabby skin that can’t seem to impact. This can be frustrating, but there are options available. CoolSculpting and liposuction are two approaches we can recommend.

As you consider these treatments, and as you wonder which one might be right for you, we welcome your call. We’d love to sit down with you for a one-on-one consultation, either virtually or in person.

To schedule a consultation with Charlotte Plastic Surgery, reach out to us at any time.