Here’s the Skinny: Which Body Contouring Procedure is Right for You?

With so many options available in the world of body contouring, it can difficult to decide which procedure is best for you. Today, we are breaking down three common treatments for fat reduction to help you make the most informed decision for a more sculpted you.

Coolsculpting 

CoolSculpting is an FDA-proven procedure which uses controlled cooling to target and destroy the fat cells that sit directly under your skin.

Benefits:

• 20-23% reduction in fat in treated area.
• Non-surgical - no needles or incisions.
• Safe and low-risk.
• Minimal downtime - Resume your normal activities immediately after treatment.
• Smooth and even fat reduction - no lumps or bumps.
• Greater comfort during procedure with specialized CoolAdvantage applicators.
• Short treatment times of 35 minutes per cycle.
• Permanent results - once fat cells are destroyed, the body does not produce more.

Downsides:

• Optimal results seen after a series of two treatments.
• Results are more gradual; apparent in as few as three weeks and continue to improve for up to six months.
• You may experience redness, tenderness, tingling, numbness or discomfort in the treated area, but this is temporary.

Best for: Small to moderate areas of "pinchable" fat on the stomach, love handles, arms and thighs. The best candidates are close to a healthy weight, but with stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. How it works: A gel pad and applicator are positioned on the treatment area. A vacuum draws the tissue into the applicator cup and delivers controlled cooling to the targeted fat. You will feel intense cold, but this sensation typically subsides within 5-10 minutes as the area becomes numb. Once the fat cells are frozen, they are dissolved and your body naturally eliminates the dead cells over time.

Liposuction

Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits.

Benefits

• Up to 70% reduction in fat cells in treated area.
• Ideal for larger deposits of fat and harder to reach areas.
• Results are immediate but will be most visible after the initial swelling subsides; roughly, 4-6 weeks.
• Permanent results.

Downsides

• Surgery with possible anesthesia required.
• Moderate recovery time with possibility for swelling, leaking at the incision sites, and pain and nausea which may require strong medication.
• Constant wrapping of the treated area with elastic bandages and tape. Special garments may need to be worn for  up to 6 weeks.
• Possibility for infection.
• Small scar from incision.
• May experience dimpling or unevenness.
• Possibility for revision.

Best for: Removing localized fatty tissue (think “bulges”) on stomach, love handles, arms, chin, legs, and buttocks. Not to treat skin laxity. How it works: A suction tube (cannula) is inserted through small incisions in the skin and fat cells are sucked out through the tube.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a procedure to remove excess abdominal skin while tightening the abdominal muscles.

Benefits

• Removes loose, excess fat and skin and tightens muscles in the abdominal wall for a more dramatic contour change.
• Permanent results.

Downsides

• Surgery with anesthesia required.
• Extensive recovery time of at least two weeks with pain and nausea common. Will need assistance.
• Will need strong medication for pain and muscle spasms.
• Will need to wear special garments for up to 6 weeks.
• Very large scar.
• Possibility for infection.
• Possibility for revision.
• Most expensive.

Best for: Loose skin or stretched muscle tissue from weight loss, pregnancy or aging, rather than fat. How it works: An incision is made across the lower abdomen to remove excess skin and tighten slack muscles. Any remaining skin is then draped over the abdominal area leaving a flatter and tighter stomach.

The Bottom Line

When comparing procedures, realize that none of the above are meant as weight loss solutions. They are simply helping the "problem" areas that have not responded well to diet and exercise. If you are looking for a more natural way to lose fat, without the surgery, scars, and extensive recovery time, then CoolSculpting might just be the perfect option for you. Come in to Timeless for a customized consultation today.