Blog

Our bodies can be very frustrating. We exercise daily, eat healthy fruits and veggies and forego anything that is even remotely fattening, but when we look in a mirror, we still see a pudgy mid-section and excess fat in the most stubborn places. For some, a tummy tuck and/or liposuction is the way to go, but for others, the thought of having surgery is a little too much. Thankfully, over the years there have been less invasive procedures to hit the market. Two such procedures, SlimLipo and Coolsculpting, are offered in our office. They both eliminate fat cells with no surgery and little side effects.
You may be wondering what the difference is between the two. Let’s take a look at the technology, fat-removal process and recovery time associated with each of these procedures so you can easily decide what is best for you!
SlimLipo
Technology
SlimLipo is a laser body sculpting system that melts away the unwanted fat around your abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, neck and chin. The laser turns the fat into a liquid and then removes the fat from the body through micro-cannulas that are inserted in the area where you want to lose inches. The technology used in the SlimLipo system can also reduce sagging skin in these areas so your body not only looks slimmer, but is also smooth and contoured after the procedure. The best candidates for SlimLipo are those who are within 10 pounds of their goal weight and who have good skin elasticity and healthy habits.
Process
SlimLipo is a minimally invasive procedure. This means that there will still be very small incisions made into the skin, but these incisions will not require stitches and the scars will be unnoticeable. You will only need a local anesthetic in the area where the procedure will be performed and you will be able to go home the same day. The laser uses two separate wavelengths, one that targets the unwanted fat cells and the other stimulates collagen growth which helps to tighten the skin. The procedure will only take a couple hours and you will be on your way.
Recovery
There is very little downtime associated with SlimLipo. Although everyone is different, the majority of those who choose SlimLipo return to work the next day. You may still be a little sore but not enough to disrupt your daily activities. You will experience mild swelling and bruising that will go away in about a week. Your surgeon will supply you with a compression bandage that you will wear also. After your swelling goes down, you will be about to start seeing results, and over the next 6 months, you will see significant results that are long lasting.

Coolsculpting
Technology
Coolsculpting is the exact opposite of SlimLipo, as it freezes the unwanted fat cells instead of melting them away. Coolsculpting uses controlled cooling to target the sensitive fat cells in areas such as the neck, chin, thighs, arms, flanks and stomach. When the fat cells are frozen, they will gradually begin to die off and the body will naturally absorb and then eliminate the cells from the body. The Coolsculpting technology applicator has safety features that will prevent your skin from becoming too cold during the process. You may need more than one treatment with Coolsculpting to get the results you want.
Process
While SlimLipo is minimally invasive, Coolsculpting is a non-invasive process. There is no need for any type of anesthesia or incisions. You simply place the Coolsculpting applicator on the area of unwanted fat and the applicator does the rest. The process takes about an hour, and during that time, you can take a nap, read a book or just relax. You may feel a cold sensation and tightness during the first few minutes, but that will go away. After your treatment, you will be given a short 2 to 3-minute massage to get the skin to warm back up and then you will be ready to return to work or your normal daily routine.
Recovery
The best part about Coolsculpting is there is absolutely NO DOWNTIME involved with the procedure.  The results are permanent and side effects are rare and minimal and can include numbness, itching, redness, swelling, tenderness and skin sensitivity in the treated area. You will begin to see results about 3 weeks after the procedure. The process is gradual and the cells continue to die off for 4 to 6 months, so you will see the most results after that timeframe.
It is very important to remember that neither of these procedures are considered avenues for weight loss. You must be at a point where you can maintain your weight and have a good exercise program in place before getting either Coolsculpting or SlimLipo. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and our staff can help you determine what is best for you!