Slim Lipo vs. Cool Sculpting for Belly Fat and Love Handles?

Hello and thank-you for your questionOur office offers both Laser Lipolysis (Slim Lipo, Smart Lipo), which are a more invasive surgical procedure involving liposuction and the non-invasive alternative Coolsculpting. Laser Assisted Liposcution are more suited for larger fat amounts of fat reduction of multiple ares. CoolSculpting is a great, FDA-approved treatment for fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks. This technology can is best suited a means to produce reduction in inches when the issue is a few extra pounds. Coolsculpting relies on Cryolipolysis due to the fact that fat cells are more sensitive to cold than are other tissues. We utilize the new Cool Advantage applicators which are much more comfortable and reduce treatment time to 35 minutes.  We currently have 4 Coolsculpting machines and can offer "Dual Sculpting" which further reduces the treatment time.  It can be used safely for off-label treatment of the upper arms, inner/outer thighs, bra-strap area, chin, and above the knees. The advanced cooling technology selectively targets and eliminates fat cells gently and gradually without affecting the surrounding tissue. Patients in our office have seen an average fat reduction of 20-25% with each treatment. Depending on the patient's body composition and outcome goals, it generally takes more than one treatment to achieve optimal results. A second treatment is general scheduled 30 to 45 days after the initial treatment. It takes about 2-3 months to get a general idea of the final results. The results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable healthy lifestyle. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon well versed in all options for body contouring to determine if you an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting or laser lipolysis.Best regards,

I offer both CoolSculpting and tumescent liposuction in my office. The right choice for you will depend on the amount of fat you want to remove. CoolSculpting has been shown in clinical studies to remove 20-25% of the fat in a treatment area with each session. In addition, in our office we use the Zimmer Z-wave device right after CoolSculpting using acoustic waves to break up the fat for an extra 5% fat loss. Patients may have more than one treatment if they want to remove more fat.There is no anesthesia and minimal downtime with this procedure.

Liposuction offers the ability to produce more dramatic results in a single session. I perform tumescent liposuction using micro-cannulas, which allows me to do the procedure with local anesthesia and tends to shorten recovery time for my patients. Downtime is usually 4-5 days. If skin laxity is a concern, I can combine the liposuction with a skin tightening procedure known as ThermiTight to create a smoother result. I prefer this to laser tightening but either radiofrequency or laser can be used for this purpose.

In my opinion, if you are a small person with small, isolated pockets of fat, CoolSculpting is great. It may get too expensive if there are many bulges or if you are a larger person. Tumescent liposuction offers a “one and done” approach. No matter which treatment you choose, make sure it is performed by an experienced, board-certified physician to ensure an optimal outcome.

CoolSculpting can be used to nonsurgically reduce excess fat in the lower abdominal/stomach area, as well as the flanks or “love handles”. I recommend CoolSculpting to my patients who have stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to diet and/or exercise and who do not wish to have liposuction. The technology works via an application of controlled cool temperatures to the targeted treatment area. After 35 minutes, your session is over, and you are able to go about your normal activities.  Over the course of the following two months, you will gradually lose up to 25% of your fat cells.