Liposuction techniques such as traditional liposuction and SmartLipo Ultra physically remove the fat cells via tiny incisions. The surgeon is still “going in” but newer techniques such as SmartLipo Ultra are far less invasive as compared to traditional liposuction. This newer, more effective technique utilizes laser and ultrasound heat to literally melt the fat cells before the surgeon gently suctions out the destroyed fat. No general anesthesia is used as only local anesthesia and oral sedatives are used. The heat from these powerful instruments also heat up the collagen skin layer, causing a tightening effect on the dermis. Since very little bleeding and bruising is seen with SmartLipo Ultra, the postoperative recovery period is significantly shortened. Most patients are mobile immediately and are back to work withing 2-3 days.
Coolsculpting belongs to the category of machines that try to destroy fat cells from the outside without going into the fat layer itself. All the damage is done from the surface of the skin. No incisions or general anesthesia is required. Coolsculpting “freezes” the fat cells to theoretically cause them to rupture and die. Multiple sessions are absolutely needed (anywhere from 4 to 8 sessions) and the results are mild and extremely variable. Initial claims by the Coolsculptingcompany were misleading because practitioners did not stress the necessity of multiple treatments. Too many providers were promising significant results after only one treatment. Also, the initial clinical studies claimed a reduction of 5-7 inches after Coolsculpting but they did not stress that this was cumulative amount from a total of ten body areas. It is still a commonly-held belief by many expert physicians that “you still have to go in and get the fat out.” Up to this point in time, no purely non-invasive fat reduction machine (Coolsculpting, Zerona, Thermage, ultrasonic cavitation, etc.) can match the efficacy of the minimally-invasive (SmartLipo Ultra) or more invasive (traditional liposuction) techniques.