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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. But for many people, they’re not the only steps necessary to reach body goals.

Sometimes it seems impossible to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat. That’s where med spas come to the rescue. On the journey towards looking and feeling like your best self, some choose to 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.

Surgery is not the choice for everyone. Some 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.

Can Fat Be Removed Without Surgery?

From body contouring with CoolSculpting to fat loss and muscle strenghtening with Emsculpt, there are very effective solutions that don’t require surgery. 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 best fat reduction solutions, comparing them so you have all the details necessary to make your choice.

CoolSculpting Vs. Liposuction

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

When comparing 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.

While we do not currently offer liposuction, our professionals are familiar with the technologies, techniques and results patients can expect. We are more than happy to provide comparison details that help you understand your options.

Liposuction: Surgical Fat Removal

As a surgical procedure, Liposuction requires either local or general anesthesia. Since it is an aggressive treatment, patients expect soreness, bruising, and swelling for several days.

Using suction, Lipo removes fat from areas throughout the body, including:

The ideal Lipo candidate will be an adult with average or slightly above-average weight – a healthy, nonsmoker with pockets of excess fat and realistic body goals. For an invasive surgery, you must be able to dedicate four to six weeks of recovery time to let your body heal after treatment. 

CoolSculpting: Non-Invasive Fat Reduction

Rather than going under the knife, CoolSculpting allows patients to reduce unwanted fat in specific areas and still drive themselves home after treatment. There is no anesthesia, incisions, or injections, and minimal to no downtime.

CoolSculpting Elite targets many areas of the body, including:

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. We see many patients turning to CoolSculpting as a way to remove belly fat without surgery. 

Is CoolSculpting More Effective Than Liposuction?

CoolSculpting Elite eliminates up to 25% of fat cells in the area each treatment for a smaller amount of fat reduction that still makes a massive difference. Every CoolSculpting session builds on the last one, meaning patients can schedule multiple treatments to continue seeing improvement. And with CoolSculpting Elite (the newest model), you can target two areas at once – covering more fat removal with less time. 

If getting rid of large amounts of fat is your goal, Liposuction can safely remove between six and eight pounds. Whether one is more effective depends on what you want to accomplish with treatment, and what you prefer the procedure to be like. 

Sono Bello Vs. CoolSculpting

Sono Bello and CoolSculpting remove unwanted fat, smoothing bulges for a slimmer, contoured physique. While we currently don’t offer Sono Bello at our practice, our medical team stays up-to-date with popular technologies. We are happy to help you understand the options you’ll come across as you consider body contouring. 

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. Recovery time is typically two or three days of rest along with compression garments for several weeks.

Sono Bello Results

Sono Bello can treat just about anywhere on the body, although it’s commonly chosen for the abs, waist, and hip areas.

Initial changes can be seen within the first few days or weeks of treatment. Final results typically show within six months of treatment. 

CoolSculpting Results

The traditional CoolSculpting device treats one area at a time, providing anywhere from 18-20% fat removal. CoolSculpting Elite is the advanced version, capable of treating two areas simultaneously and providing more dramatic results. With Elite, patients see 20-25% fat reduction in a single treatment. 

Initial body contouring enhancements begin to show as quickly as one to three months after treatment. The final, optimal results show around six months. And patients can choose to build on their results. With each treatment, CoolSculpting continues to build on its improvements, targeting unwanted fat on the body until you reach your goals.

Which is Better, CoolSculpting or Sono Bello?

The convenience aspect alone makes the CoolSculpting decision an easy one for many patients. With Sono Bello, you will need to account for healing time from incisions and having someone drive you home after the procedure.

Since CoolSculpting is non-invasive, there are no incisions to recover from, and no anesthesia forcing your rest. You can resume normal activities right away. 

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.

Emsculpt vs CoolSculpting

As two of our most popular treatments, many patients ask about the difference between Emsculpt and CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is a fantastic solution for minimizing fat pockets long-term. What it does not do is strengthen muscles or add definition. That’s where Emsculpt comes in. 

Emsculpt, and its newer version, Emsculpt NEO, target two problems at once: reducing fat and building muscle. For those who want to firm up after burning fat, Emsculpt NEO may be perfect.

One thing to keep in mind is that Emsculpt isn’t always for slimming – sometimes that extra muscle definition helps clothes fit tighter. Emsculpt NEO before and after images can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

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. Emsculpt NEO cost is also subjective to the individual. A range of cost gives you at least 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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