January 11, 2019

CoolSculpting or Liposuction: Which Will Be Best for Me?

The first questions for you to answer are:

Am I in good overall health, physically and mentally?

Where is the fat that I want to be rid of? Is it in small areas or large areas and do I want it transferred to another area?

What is my final goal? What do I want to look like when all is healed?

How much time do I have to invest in treatment(s) and recovery?

Do I have realistic expectations?

CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical means of reducing fat in specific areas of the body, where the fat is very stubborn about leaving, no matter how much diet and working out you do. These areas are typically under the chin (double chin), thighs, abdomen and flanks. It will require a series of a number of treatments and does not show results immediately, because the dying and clearing away of the fat cells by your body takes some time. Results typically show in 1 to 3 months. There are very few side effects, not much of a recovery time to speak of and complications are very low risk. It is a treatment that can be done during lunch break or after work. Someone who is going to get a CoolSculpting treatment should be in good physical and mental health and be very close to their goal weight. They must understand that this is not a weight loss alternative or a means of treating obesity. They should have very realistic goals for how they will appear after the effects have fully shown.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure for removal of the fat that accumulates under the skin, through a small incision and a narrow tube inserted. The procedure is done under anesthesia and the extent of the procedure will determine whether it will be done with local anesthesia, or complete sedation. The target areas are much larger than for CoolSculpting, and generally are the abdomen, waist, back, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, chin and neck. Once the fat is removed, it can be injected again into other areas where there may be desire for more fuller look, such as buttocks, face and breast. Improvement is seen within days of the procedure, but final results are apparent from a few months, up to a year after the surgery, as the body adjusts. Recovery is fairly quick, swelling, bruising and numbness will decrease and disappear over the weeks to a few months after the surgery. Recovery is completely dependant on how much fat was removed, as well as how many areas were treated. The liposuction candidate should be in good mental and physical health. They should have realistic expectations for their final appearance. And their skin should have a lot of elasticity, if not, it could increase the appearance of flabby or loose skin. The patient should be able to adequately prepare for the treatment, such as not using tobacco or nicotine products for weeks before the surgery, due to the fact that tobacco and nicotine can interfere with healing and increase complications. And it should be understood that liposuction is not used to avoid a good diet and exercise, nor should it be considered a means of weight loss or treatment for obesity.

Getting sculpted with CoolSculpting in Nyack, NY

Whether you choose CoolSculpting or liposuction, or you do not know which to choose, Dr. Fiorillo will be happy to discuss these options with you. Contact us today to discuss freezing your fat away. Join our email list for updates on specials and news. Contact Dr. Michael Fiorillo’s plastic surgery center in Nyack, NY today, to discuss your options for removing fat, either online or by phone – 845-867-2594. If you do not live in the New York area, then see our “Out of Town” page to learn how to benefit by Dr. Fiorillo’s years of experience, and set up a video consultation discuss your body sculpting options.