CoolSculpting Vs. Liposuction: Cost, Side Effects, Pictures, More

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CoolSculpting vs. Liposuction: Know the Difference

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Daniel Yetman and Erica Cirino — Updated on November 16, 2021

Procedures
Duration
Do they hurt?
Results
Pictures
Costs
Candidates
Side effects
Summary

CoolSculpting vs. liposuction

CoolSculpting and liposuction are medical procedures that permanently remove fat cells. Although these two procedures are similar, they have some key differences.

CoolSculpting is best used to remove small amounts of fat for mild to moderate results. Liposuction is generally used to remove larger amounts of fat tissue, but it’s a more invasive procedure with more potential complications.

Let’s break down how CoolSculpting and liposuction compare, including typical prices, effectiveness, and potential side effects.

CoolSculpting	Liposuction
The procedure	It’s a kind of cryolipolysis, a technique that involves freezing fat cells.	A series of small incisions are made around the treatment area. A thin tube is used to loosen fat cells so they can be vacuumed out.
Safety	CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure. Side effects are usually minor.	Liposuction is an invasive surgery that may require anesthesia.
Effectiveness and results	Less dramatic results. According to the CoolSculpting website, it can eliminate up to 20 to 25 percent of fat cells in a certain area.	More dramatic results. It can remove up to 5 to 8 liters of body fat.
Side effects	Side effects can include short-term bruising or skin sensitivity that usually resolves within weeks.	Side effects can include anesthesia reactions, blood clots, and other potentially serious complications.
Recovery time	There’s usually little to no recovery period.	Recovery takes about 3 to 5 days with lingering effects for weeks.
Time to see full results	Typically, after a few weeks.	Up to a few months.
Cost	Between about $2,000 and $4,000.	In 2020, the average cost was $3,637.
Number of treatments needed	Typically, a few 1-hour sessions.	One procedure.
People and areas not suited to treatment	People with cold-induced conditions such as cryoglobulinemia and areas with varicose veins, dermatitis, or open sores.	Pregnant people and people with heart problems or blood clotting disorders.

CoolSculpting and liposuction procedures

Here’s a look at how the CoolSculpting and liposuction procedures compare.

CoolSculpting procedure

CoolSculpting is a noninvasive medical procedure that’s also known as cryolipolysis. It helps remove extra fat cells from underneath your skin without surgery.

During a CoolSculpting session, a plastic surgeon or other provider trained in CoolSculpting uses a special tool that clamps down on and cools a roll of fat to freezing temperature.

In the weeks after the treatment, your body naturally eliminates the frozen, dead fat cells through your liver. You should begin to see results within a few weeks of your treatment, and final results after a few months.

CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical procedure. That means there’s no cutting, stitching, anesthetizing, or recovery time necessary.

Liposuction procedure

Liposuction, on the other hand, is an invasive surgical procedure that involves cutting, stitching, and anesthetizing. The surgical team may use local anesthesia such as lidocaine, or they may sedate you with general anesthesia.

A plastic surgeon makes small incisions with a scalpel around the areas being treated. They then use a long, narrow tool called a cannula to loosen fat cells. A vacuum attached to the cannula sucks the dislodged fat cells out of your body.

How long does each procedure take?

CoolSculpting

No recovery time is necessary for CoolSculpting. One session takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Some people only receive one treatment, but your provider may recommend having a few sessions spread out over several weeks to achieve the best results. You should start to see initial results a few weeks after your first session.

Most people see the full results of CoolSculpting about 3 months after their last procedure.

Liposuction

Most people only need one liposuction procedure to see results. According to a 2020 review, the surgery takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the size of the treated area. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that it’s usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home on the day of your surgery.

You may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation if you have a significant amount of fat removed.

Liposuction recovery usually only takes a few days. Always follow your surgeon’s recommendations for recovery, which may include wearing a special bandage or limiting activities.

You may need to wait 2 to 4 weeks before you can safely resume strenuous activity. It may take several months for swelling to go down and the full results to be visible.

Does either procedure hurt?

CoolSculpting should cause minimal pain. Some people describe feelings of mild tugging, aching, or stinging. After the procedure, the person performing the procedure will massage the treated area to help break up frozen tissue. Some people find this massage causes a small amount of pain.You’ll receive anesthesia when undergoing liposuction, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the surgery. You’ll likely have moderate pain for about 3 days after the procedure. The amount of pain varies from person to person, but it shouldn’t be excruciating. Your doctor will give you pain medications to help reduce your discomfort.

Soreness around the treated area should go away completely around 4 weeks after the procedure.

Effectiveness

The results of CoolSculpting and liposuction are very similar. Both procedures are used to permanently remove excess fat from specific body parts, such as the:

belly
thighs
arms
chin

However, neither procedure is intended for weight loss. Also, neither procedure can improve the appearance of cellulite or loose skin.

CoolSculpting

A 2018 study found an average 21.6 percent decrease in fat layer thickness 30 days after CoolSculpting treatment among a group of 21 people. However, the authors of the study suggested in their conclusion that larger studies should be performed to confirm these results.

Liposuction

During the first few weeks after surgery, people who’ve had liposuction will experience swelling. This means that results aren’t immediately apparent, but you can generally see the final results within 1 to 3 months after your surgery.

A 2020 study found a high level of satisfaction among a group of 32 people who received liposuction between 2002 and 2014. A total of 85.7 percent of the people in the study said they would recommend liposuction to a friend or family member when asked at a follow-up that took place an average of 8.9 years after their procedure. For this study, 600 people were invited to take part; the remaining people did not reply.

Before and after pictures

How much do CoolSculpting and liposuction cost?

Both CoolSculpting and liposuction are cosmetic procedures. This means your insurance plan is unlikely to cover them, so you’ll likely have to pay out of pocket.

CoolSculpting cost

The cost of CoolSculpting varies based on which and how many body parts you choose to have treated. Usually, it costs between $2,000 and $4,000.

Liposuction cost

Because it’s a surgical procedure, liposuction can sometimes be a little more expensive than CoolSculpting. But, as with CoolSculpting, the cost of liposuction varies depending on which part or parts of your body you choose to have treated. The average cost for a liposuction procedure in 2020 was $3,637.

Who is a good candidate?

Who is CoolSculpting right for?

CoolSculpting is safe for most people. However, the procedure can potentially trigger serious complications in certain people, such as those with the following blood disorders:

cryoglobulinemia
cold agglutinin disease
paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria

CoolSculpting also shouldn’t be performed on patches of skin that have varicose veins, dermatitis, or open sores.

Who is liposuction right for?

People with heart problems or blood clotting disorders and pregnant people should avoid liposuction because it could cause serious complications.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the ideal candidate:

is an adult within 30 percent of their ideal weight with good muscle tone and firm, elastic skin
doesn’t have a serious condition that impairs wound healing
doesn’t smoke cigarettes
has a positive outlook and specific goals for body contouring

Comparing the side effects

CoolSculpting side effects

Because CoolSculpting is a nonsurgical procedure, it comes with no surgical risks. However, the procedure does have some side effects to consider.

Common side effects may include:

a tugging sensation at the procedure site
aching, pain, or stinging
temporary bruising, redness, skin sensitivity, and swelling

Rare side effects may include paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. This is a rare condition that causes fat cells to expand rather than be eliminated as a result of treatment. It’s more common in men than women and can usually be treated with liposuction.

Liposuction side effects

Liposuction is riskier than CoolSculpting because it’s a surgical procedure. Common side effects associated with surgery include:

irregularities in skin shape, such as lumps or divots
skin discoloration
accumulation of fluid that may need to be drained
temporary or permanent numbness
skin infection
internal puncture wounds

Rare but serious side effects may include:

fat embolism, a medical emergency that releases a clot of fat into your bloodstream, lungs, or brain
kidney or heart problems caused by changes in body fluid levels during the procedure
complications related to anesthesia, if it’s administered

Takeaway

CoolSculpting and liposuction are two surgical techniques used to permanently remove fat cells from targeted parts of your body.

CoolSculpting is a less invasive procedure with a quicker recovery time and a lower risk of complications, but its results aren’t generally as dramatic. Liposuction can remove a greater amount of fat, but it is a more invasive procedure that comes with a longer recovery time and more potential complications.

Neither treatment is meant to be a replacement for good lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. You can meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to see if you make a good candidate.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

How it works: FAQs. (2021). http://www.coolsculpting.com/what-is-coolsculpting/faqs/
Ingargiola MJ, et al. (2015). Cryolipolysis for fat reduction and body contouring: Safety and efficacy of current treatment paradigms.https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2015/06000/Cryolipolysis_for_Fat_Reduction_and_Body.13.aspx
Lipp MB, et al. (2020). Evaluation of long-term outcome and patient satisfaction results after tumescent liposuction.https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/Abstract/2020/10001/Evaluation_of_Long_Term_Outcome_and_Patient.7.aspx
Plastic surgery statistics report 2020. (2020).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/cosmetic-procedures-average-cost-2020.pdf
Salemy S. (2019). What you need to know about your liposuction recovery.https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-liposuction-recovery
Savacini MB, et al. (2018). Effectiveness and safety of contrast cryolipolysis for subcutaneous-fat reduction.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2018/5276528/
Taha AA, et al. (2020). Liposuction: Keeping it safe!https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2020/04000/Liposuction__Keeping_It_Safe_.74.aspx
Tahseen H, et al. (2018). Mega-liposuction with high definition concepts.https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2018/08001/Abstract__Mega_Liposuction_with_High_Definition.160.aspx
Who is a good candidate for liposuction? (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction/candidates

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Daniel Yetman and Erica Cirino — Updated on November 16, 2021

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Mental Well-Being

CoolSculpting vs. liposuction

CoolSculpting and liposuction procedures

CoolSculpting procedure

Liposuction procedure

How long does each procedure take?

CoolSculpting

Liposuction

Does either procedure hurt?

Effectiveness

CoolSculpting

Liposuction

Before and after pictures

How much do CoolSculpting and liposuction cost?

CoolSculpting cost

Liposuction cost

Who is a good candidate?

Who is CoolSculpting right for?

Who is liposuction right for?

Comparing the side effects

CoolSculpting side effects

Liposuction side effects

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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