Are nonsurgical fat reduction treatments effective? If yes, are they better than liposuction? Here's what you need to know about these procedures.
Do you have an area on your body that jiggles despite eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly?
Then you may want to consider having a non-surgical fat reduction treatment such as Coolsculpting (which "freezes" fat) or Liposonix (which uses ultrasonic waves to target fat cells.) These treatments are growing in popularity; the number of non-invasive fat procedures grew by 6% in 2018 compared to 2017.
If you're curious to know the pros and cons of these treatments and how they compare to surgical fat removal procedures such as liposuction, here are nine things you should know before you take the plunge.
- They Really Do Remove Fat
It almost sounds too good to be true: using a cold temperature, heat, or ultrasound to break up fat deposits in the body. Do these alternatives to liposuction really work?
Yes, they do, and they are based on actual research and results. CoolSculpting, for example, was developed after two Boston doctors discovered that children who ate popsicles regularly were losing fat cells in their cheeks. The sweet treat's cold temperature actually started to give their faces a more sculpted look.
These non-invasive fat removal treatments are FDA-approved to be used on several areas of the body including the stomach, upper arms, thighs, back, and even under the chin. Some types of noninvasive fat removal are more suitable for certain parts of the body versus others. A consultation with a medical spa or body contouring clinic will provide guidance on which type of treatment is best for your desired body goals.
- You May Need More Than One Session
While liposuction is usually a one-and-done procedure, you may need more than one treatment session for nonsurgical fat removal depending upon the amount of fat in the area and if you want multiple areas treated.
When you visit a clinic for a consultation, you'll find out how many sessions are recommended to help you achieve your desired results.
- It's Not Covered by Health Insurance
Because fat removal treatments are considered cosmetic procedures, they are usually not covered by health insurance. And a single session can cost a few hundred dollars, which quickly adds up if you're having multiple areas targeted.
Most clinics can offer payment options, however, to help you afford the cost of your personalized treatment plan.
- There's No Anesthesia Required
A huge advantage to choosing a minimally invasive fat removal procedure is that it's nonsurgical and doesn't require anesthesia. You'll be fully awake during the entire appointment and while some types of nonsurgical fat removal such as Coolsculpting may feel uncomfortable, none of them are what you'd call painful.
These treatments don't require a hospital stay and are usually done at a medical spa by a trained medical professional.
- Sessions Are Fast—and Often Relaxing
Most nonsurgical fat reduction appointments last only about an hour or so. This makes it easy for most people to squeeze in a session during their lunch hour or before or after work.
During a treatment, you can feel free to scroll the internet, chat with a friend, read, take a nap, or simply relax.
- There's Little to No Downtime
Many patients that receive a non-invasive fat removal treatment experience need very little recovery time following an appointment. Most people find they can resume regular physical activity immediately after a procedure. This isn't the case with liposuction, which requires incisions to be made in the body that needs time to heal.
Some patients do experience swelling, redness, tingling, and sensitivity in the area that was treated after a session. These symptoms usually go away on their own after a few days or weeks.
There is a slight risk of developing rare side effects from these treatments. Most patients, however, experience no long-term problems.
- Patience is Needed to See the Full Results
Unlike liposuction in which fat is removed immediately, nonsurgical fat removal procedures eliminate fat cells over the course of several weeks. It takes time for the body to break down the cells and flush them from the body. Until then, you'll probably only see a slight reduction in the area you had treated immediately following the session.
Most people experience maximum results about one to three months following treatment. During this waiting period, it's important to maintain your current fitness regimen and healthy eating habits so you don't counteract the fat reduction treatments.
- Not Everyone is a Candidate
It's important to realize that nonsurgical fat removing treatments cannot be used to treat obesity. It works best for people who have been following a healthy lifestyle for some time and who have lost several pounds but need a little extra help getting rid of that bit of pudge that won't seem to budge.
People with certain rare medical conditions that are affected by cold and hot temperatures may not be candidates for these treatments. The skin of the area to be treated should also not have any wounds or sunburns
- Results Are Permanent—With Lifestyle Maintenance
As with liposuction, noninvasive fat removal yields permanent results. The fat cells that die off and leave the body are gone for good, but that's if you take care not to gain the weight back.
Is Nonsurgical Fat Reduction Right For You?
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to choosing a non-surgical fat reduction treatment over traditional fat reducing surgery such as liposuction. It really comes down to whether you're a candidate and if you're willing to wait for the full results. For people struggling to lose those last few stubborn pounds, these procedures can finally give them their dream body.
For more tips on looking and feeling your best, be sure to check out our latest blog posts.