Traditional liposuction is conducted by injecting fats with tumescent solution before a pen-like device is inserted into small incisions to remove the fatty tissues underneath the skin. While this is an effective body contouring technique, one tradeoff is the long recovery which often lasts a week or so.
However, there is a new fat reduction technique that may serve as an alternative to liposuction. With CoolSculpting, plastic surgeons can remove the excess fats by freezing them; once the fatty tissues are destroyed, the body can naturally flush them after a couple of months.
This new technology has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a fat reduction method. But patients should always remember that it should only be performed by board certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists.
This non-surgical liposuction technique starts by marking the fatty areas and covering them with a gel pad to protect the skin from extreme temperature. Doctors will then press a hand-held device which has two cooling panels.
It is important that the CoolSculpting device is pressed against the skin for a certain amount of time to ensure that the fatty cells are damaged by the extremely low temperature. Then, the once dense fats will turn into a liquid form, allowing the body to flush them out naturally, a process that can take two to four months.
Because it takes time for the body to flush out the liquefied, damaged fats, the final result can be seen after a few months. Meanwhile, patients should remember that they would likely need more than one treatment to achieve a noticeable improvement.
During the procedure, there will be some pulling sensation and a mild, tolerable coldness. Overall, the treated area will feel numb as if an ice pack has been applied.
Compared with other fat reduction surgery, CoolSculpting is considered safer. First and foremost, it does not involve the use of incisions, anesthesia, needles, and pain medications. But still, the treatment should only be conducted by a licensed medical practitioner to ensure the safety of patients.
The fat reduction technique, while effective as a body contouring treatment, cannot replace the benefits of traditional liposuction in terms of removing large amounts of fats or what doctors call “debulking.”
Patients should remember that CoolSculpting involves some temporary side effects including numbness, minor bruising, cramping, tingling, and redness in the treated area. But unlike the traditional liposuction, they can return to normal activities right after their treatment.
