Everyone’s talking about the latest non-surgical liposuction/fat reduction devices. The two most popular are Cool Sculpting and Liposonix. Both procedures take about the same time to perform, have similar costs, are FDA-approved to remove fat without surgery, and also have the same recovery time.
The best patients for Cool Sculpting (Zeltiq) will have fat that can be pinched. Once the fat is secured inside the Cool Sculpting machine, the fat it is cooled down to the point that fat is broken down.
With Liposonix, a patient needs to have at least one inch of fat under the skin to be considered a candidate. Liposonix also tightens deep layers of the skin, like Ulthera in Arizona which likewise uses ultrasound.
How does Cool Sculpting work?
Although the goals of Coolscupting and Liposonix are the same, they use different technology to achieve their goals.
Cool Sculpting (Zeltiq) uses cryolipolysis (literally cold destruction of fat) where the fat is chilled for about an hour. Once an area has been treated the next area can be started. It only works where the fat that can be “pinched” and drawn into the CoolSculpting paddles. Therefore, it’s applicability to various body regions is much less than with Liposonix.
How does Liposonix Work?
Liposonix uses ultrasound energy to destroy fat. The area is broken down into a series of squares written on the body with a pen. When the device is moved to a treatment square, it gives off a precise pattern of ultrasound energy that heats the fat so that it can be metabolized.
Summary of Differences in Non-Surgical Liposuction
Procedure
Cool Sculpting
Liposonix
Pain (without medication)
Moderate to high before numbed with cold.
Moderate to high during treatment
Pain (with medication)
Little to none.
Little to none.
Downtime
None
None
Cost
Starts at $1,000
Starts at $1,000
Recovery
Up to Two Weeks of Bruising and Numbness
Up to Two Weeks of Bruising
Is Cool Sculpting or Liposonix the Right Choice?
Dr. Steven Gitt, a top Arizona plastic surgeon, says that “I examined everything I could find on both procedures. I’ve had new machines promise the world and deliver nothing so I’m always skeptical of new technology. After my research I concluded that Liposonix was the better treatment. CoolSculpting in Arizona is more limited on patient type and areas of the body that can be treated.” Patients that have looked into both treatments tend to agree with this assessment. The fact is that Liposonix can be used on off label areas like the arms, thighs, and other parts of the body inaccessible by not only CoolSculpting but also liposuction.
Conclusion
Despite marketing information from both companies to have patients believe otherwise, both procedures are painful and cause temporary bruising. A typical patient can certainly have these procedures without medications. Doing so causes unnecessary discomfort and anxiety to patients. Both procedures, like liposuction, are not intended for weight loss. At North Valley Plastic Surgery, a top liposuction practice in Arizona, all Liposonix and Ulthera patients are offered several different comfort measures to minimize their pain.
Before undergoing any procedure, a patient should have a consultation. The surgeon will do testing to determine what procedure is best for the patient’s body and goals. North Valley Plastic Surgery offers a complimentary consultation for non-surgical liposuction in Arizona at (480) 991-6877 or www.NVPSAZ.com.
More information about Liposonix
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