Comparing Fat Removal Treatments: Sono Bello, CoolSculpting & Lipo

A fail-safe way to get that slim figure you’ve been dreaming of? Sure, they say to stay active and eat a healthy diet. And yes, those are good things to do for yourself. For many people, diet and exercise are not the only steps that finally help you reach your body goals.

Sometimes we have pockets of stubborn fat in areas of the body that seem impossible to get rid of. That’s where med spas come to the rescue.

On the journey towards looking and feeling like your best self, some undergo surgeries that alter appearance. There is nothing wrong with that – surgery can be a highly effective way to achieve the specific look you’re hoping for. Plus, it offers fast, dramatic results that enhance your aesthetic. Not everyone wants to deal with the expense, downtime, and scarring that comes with invasive procedures. But surgery is not the choice for everyone.

Can Fat Be Removed Without Surgery?

Yes! Some patients prefer to stay away from anesthesia, stitches, and recovery time. Others don’t want to spend the money on a pricier procedure, and would rather find something more affordable. Still others have contraindications that prevent them from undergoing surgery.

There are many options available to those who are or cannot try surgical procedures. While that is fantastic news for everyone, it also means there are decisions to be made. With so many treatment choices, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one (or ones) are best for you. Your body and goals are going to be different than the next person, just like how your body responds to treatment.

Let’s go through some of the most sought-after fat-reduction solutions, comparing them so you have all the details necessary to make your choice.

CoolSculpting Vs. Liposuction

When it comes to CoolSculpting and Liposuction, the important thing to note is that one is surgical and the other is not. Liposuction has long been called the gold standard in surgical treatment for excess fat and was the most popular plastic surgery procedure in 2021-2022.

CoolSculpting is massively popular as a non-surgical alternative. Having been successful for more than 20 years, CoolSculpting services are in high demand.

Liposuction Treatment Areas & Candidacy

As a surgical procedure, Liposuction requires either local or general anesthesia. Using suction, Liposuction removes fat from specific areas of the body such as:

Stomach (abdomen and waist)
Hips (love handles or flanks)
Thighs (inner and outer)
Buttocks
Arms (batwings)
Neck (double chin)
Calves and ankles

The ideal Lipo candidate will be an adult with average or slightly above-average weight – a healthy, nonsmoker who has pockets of unwanted fat and realistic body goals. As this is a surgical procedure, you must be able to dedicate four to six weeks of recovery time to let your body heal after treatment.

CoolSculpting Fat Freezing Treatment

Rather than going under the knife, CoolSculpting is a fat-freezing treatment that gives patients the opportunity to reduce unwanted fat in specific areas and still drive themselves home after treatment. There is no anesthesia, incisions, or injections in a CoolSculpting session.

CoolSculpting can target nine areas, including:

Love handles
Belly fat
Armpit fat
Upper arms
Back and waist
Submental (double chin)
Underneath the buttocks
Inner and outer thighs

By using cooling technology known as cryolipolysis, CoolSculpting exposes fat cells to the precise temperature necessary to induce crystallization, which leads to cell death. A targeted amount of fat cells will then be processed out of the body through lymphatic drainage.

CoolSculpting Ideal Candidate

An ideal CoolSculpting candidate will be someone looking for a reduction of fat in a specific area of the body. This person will be at or near the goal weight, with enough excess fat that it’s pinchable. That means the fat lies above the muscle wall (subcutaneous fat) – fat that is jiggly, fluffy, and just below the skin.

Subcutaneous fat can be very difficult to get rid of, and even though it’s completely harmless, it’s frustrating and potentially embarrassing. So long as you are a healthy individual who meets the qualifications above, there’s a good chance you are an ideal candidate for CoolSculpting. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment to go through your medical history and body contouring goals to find out for sure!

Is CoolSculpting More Effective Than Liposuction?

If removing larger amounts of fat is your goal, then Liposuction will be more effective, as it can safely remove between six and eight pounds. For a smaller amount of fat reduction, CoolSculpting can eliminate up to 25% of fat cells in the area each treatment. Patients can schedule multiple CoolSculpting sessions to continue building on the results of the last treatment.

There is also a newer version of CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting Elite is has advanced technology, making it more effective than its predecessor in that it can treat two areas at once.

Sono Bello Vs. CoolSculpting

Both Sono Bello and CoolSculpting remove unwanted fat, smoothing bulges for a slimmer, contoured physique. However, Sono Bello is a laser Liposuction procedure. It requires local anesthesia, meaning you are awake but the treatment area is numb. Incisions are made before a laser loosens fat before it is suctioned out, leaving you several pounds lighter.

The convenience aspect alone can make the decision for some people – with Sono Bello, you will need to account for healing time and having someone drive you home after the procedure. Recovery time is typically two or three days of rest along with compression garments for several weeks.

Sono Bello can treat just about anywhere on the body, although it’s commonly chosen for the abs, waist, and hip areas. Results typically show within six months of treatment.

Laser Lipo Vs. CoolSculpting

While it’s one of the popular choices, Sono Bello is not the only laser fat removal treatment. There are both minimally invasive and non-invasive laser Lipo options, also known as laser lipolysis. The minimally invasive laser lipolysis solution involves one small incision for the provider to insert the laser applicator. Compression garments are helpful during the recovery of this procedure as it will take a few days to get back to your routine.

The non-invasive version uses applicator pads that rest on the skin. This doesn’t involve anesthesia as there are no incisions, so patients can drive themselves home. You can also return to work and resume regular activities right away.

Laser Lipo results can be visible around the six-week mark after treatment, showing in full after three months. CoolSculpting results start to show as early as six weeks after treatment, with the biggest improvements visible after two or three months.

Is CoolSculpting or Laser Lipo More Effective?

Both CoolSculpting and Laser Liposuction are non-invasive fat reduction treatments that provide similar results. While the results are not as dramatic as surgical fat removal, the improvements that either treatment brings make them the best choice for many. The easiest way to decide which option is going to be better for you is by scheduling a consultation. When you find a provider that you trust, you’ll have guidance along your journey towards fat loss.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Rid of Fat?

The cost of fat removal treatments varies significantly since there are so many types. Plus, the location of your medical spa and the treatment area itself factor largely into pricing. For example, Liposuction can range anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000, with an average of $3,600 per treatment area. The average cost of CoolSculpting is $3,200 per treatment area. Sono Bello can range anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500.

To determine the exact cost that you would pay for fat removal, visit a med spa of your choice to speak with professionals about your goals. A range of cost can give you an idea of what to expect, but a consultation will give you the exact price.

Best Fat Removal Procedures in Baltimore

Whether you’re coming back for more treatments or it’s your first time exploring the world of medical spas, visit our Owings Mills office for fat removal in the Baltimore area. You’re welcome to come in for a complimentary consultation, where we can discuss your goals, timeline, and budget. Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have and get to work finding the perfect solution for your situation.

Body contouring doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or confusing. The right provider will help you by offering advice and solutions that suit your lifestyle. You should feel comfortable and confident, knowing you’re in good hands.

Give us a call at (410) 356-0000 to learn more about fat removal treatments or schedule your appointment.

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