What is the best option for getting rid of a little stubborn belly fat: Emsculpt, CoolSculpting, or Liposuction? (Photos)

Question

I'm in my 30s, I do Pilates and ride a stationary bike, I eat healthy, but I still have more belly fat than I would like. Of Emsculpt, CoolScuplting, and Liposuction, what would give me the best (lasting) results to look my best in a bikini? What are the differences between my treatment options? I was considering liposuction but I'm worried about the scars.

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Hi,Based on your photos, you may be a candidate for all three options. Coolsculpt is great because it is non invasive, so you do not have to worry about downtime or potential scarring (vs lipo). Emsculpt is another good option too. It will not destroy as many fat cells as Coolsculpt (or lipo), however, it has the added benefit of muscle stimulation for optimal abdomen definition. Coolsculpt combined with Emsculpt may be the best fit for you! This synergistic approach will give you both fat reduction and definition all in one, without surgery or downtime. I suggest consulting with a local service provider who offers both technologies. They will set you up with the best treatment plan to fit your needs. Good luck.

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and pictures. If you are looking for a dramatic improvement with fat reduction in a single session then Liposuction would be the most appropriate choice. This will come with scars and downtime. If you are looking for a non-surgical way to reduce fat and tone up your abs at the same time then EMSculpt would be the best choice. If you are looking for spot fat reduction then CoolSculpting would be appropriate. Of course you will need an in-person consultation and examination to truly determine which treatment would be best for you. Looking at your pictures alone I think EMSculpt would be the best choice for you. Make sure you see an experienced physician provider. Hope this helps!

Douglas Wu, MD · Answer

It looks like you would benefit from either tumescent liposuction, laser lipo, or CoolSculpting. Any of those fat-elimination techniques can remove the bulge around your abdomen. Liposuction procedures are faster, but require some recovery time. There’s no downtime with CoolSculpting, but you’ll need at least three treatments. Consulting with a board-certified dermatologist will help you decide which body-contouring technique works best with your lifestyle.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend a formal evaluation by a cosmetic surgeon. For best results with Coolsculpting, I recommend a combination approach. I recommend adding radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. VASER with ThermiRF is a great alternative. Best, Dr. Emer

Vinay Aggarwal, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! Based on your description and photos, CoolSculpting is the best option for targeting exercise-resistant belly fat. Comparing Emsculpt, Liposuction and CoolSculpting, CoolSculpting offers an ideal blend of long-term results, versatility and no downtime. Liposuction is more involved in terms of scarring, recovery and downtime because it is a surgical treatment while Emsculpt may be a better fit for those interesting in muscle building. Setting up an in-person consultation will give you an accurate, complete picture on which choices will best accomplish your goals.

Jennifer Janiga, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for providing photos.  It appears that you would benefit from Coolsculpting or Liposuction from the photos.  Both will reduce fat, but Lipo is a surgical procedure that is done in one procedure while Coolsculpting is done while you are awake in the office with no incisions.  Seeing a board certified plastic surgeon in your area will help you decide.

Laura A. Katz, MD · Answer

Hello MinnieJP.  First I want to congratulate you on your great effort to stay healthy and take care of your body.  It does appear that you have some small pockets of subcutaneous fat in your abdomen.  You are correct, these pockets are not likely to go away with diet an exercise.  At Monroe Comprehensive Laser Center in Monroe, Mi, we would definitely suggest Coolsculpting for you.  There is no down time.  Treatments can be done in as little as 35 min to as long as a couple of hours depending on how much you wanted to address at the time.  Bruising and discomfort if any, are usually very minimal.  Bonus!  No scarring either!  Good Luck and keep up the good work! Here is some more information about Coolsculpting from our office.

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting by far is the best option for your abdomen.  Coolsculpting is a nonsurgical, no downtime, permanent reduction of fat.  Liposuction comes with surgical scars, bruising, and downtime.  Consider the non surgical route first.  Good luck, hope this helps.

David P. Rapaport, MD, FACS · Answer

Coolsculpting and liposuction are both great options for fat reduction while Emsculpt is a technology used to tone muscle. Depending on your preference for non-invasive vs. invasive procedures, liposuction is a minimally invasive treatment to reduce the external fat in your abdomen. Coolsculpting can also reduce fat but provides a more modest improvement. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for any of these procedures.

Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery - Grand Rapids · Answer

Hello there. It is difficult to give the best recommendations without examining you. That being said, from what I see in the picture, I suspect that you have a diastasis recti? This is a separation in the abdominal muscle (usually from pregnancies), that causes the abdominal contents to bulge forward. You appear to have good muscle tone in that area, but Emsculpt may help to further strengthen, tighten, and decrease the "full" look you are experiencing in this area. Emsculpt has also had a nice affect on diastasis. It helps to subtly decrease their width. 
Diastasis can be best improved, though, with a tummy-tuck, and often surgeons will do liposuction at the same time. If this is only subcutaneous fat, liposuction will ALWAYS be the best treatment. I would recommend consulting with a well-known expert in your area for further evaluation. Hope this helped, Sarah RN BSN

What is the best option for getting rid of a little stubborn belly fat: Emsculpt, CoolSculpting, or Liposuction? (Photos)

Answers (18)

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