Both CoolSculpting and Liposuction are medical procedures that are used to remove fat from targeted areas permanently. Even though these procedures are both done to get the same effect, there are some essential differences between them.

The difference in getting procedures done

CoolSculpting procedure
There is no anesthetizing, stitching, cutting, or even recovery time included in getting a CoolSculpting procedure done. This is a non-invasive medical procedure. CoolSculpting procedure is also known as cryolipolysis.

Here is what happens during a CoolSculpting session: a plastic surgeon or other physician trained in CoolSculpting will use a unique tool to clamp down and cool off a roll of fat to freezing temperature.

In the weeks after the treatment is done, your body will naturally eliminate the frozen, dead fat cells through your liver. The result should be seen after a few weeks of your treatment. The final results are going to be seen after a few months.

Liposuction procedure
On the other hand, Liposuction is an invasive surgical procedure, and it involves everything that CoolSculpting doesn't: cutting, stitching, and anesthesia. Anesthesia can be local (a good example is lidocaine) or general, but that is up to your doctor and his surgical team to decide.

Here is what happens during a liposuction session: a plastic surgeon makes a small incision. Then, inserts a long, narrow suction tool (that is called a cannula) into that little small incision and vacuums the fat out of a specific area of your body.

The difference in the length of the procedures

CoolSculpting procedure
When it comes to the CoolSculpting procedure, there is no recovery time included or necessary. That means that you can go back to work after you get the procedure done as nothing happened. The session of CoolSculpting will typically take about an hour. A few sessions that are spread out over several weeks will be needed if you are striving to achieve the best possible results. You are most likely to start seeing initial results a few weeks after your first session.

For most people that get CoolSculpting done, full results will be noticed after about three months after their last procedure.

For most people that decide to get Liposuction done, one procedure is going to be enough. That procedure will take 1-2 hours (this depends on the size of the area). Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure. That means that the patient is going to be able to go home the same day the surgery is done.

When it comes to recovery time required after Liposuction, usually a few days are needed. Recovery may include wearing a special bandage or limiting different physical activities. The full results are going to be seen after the swelling goes down, which usually takes several months.

The difference in the cost of the procedures

CoolSculpting procedure
The cost of CoolSculpting can vary from $2,000 and $4,000, and the most significant factor in determining the price is how many body parts the patient chooses to have treated.

Liposuction procedure
Just like for CoolSculpting, and the most significant factor in determining the price is how many body parts and what body parts the patient chooses to have treated. But Liposuction is a surgical procedure, so it will sometimes be a little more expensive than CoolSculpting. The average cost is $3,500.

The difference in side effects of the procedures

CoolSculpting procedure
Common side effects of the CoolSculpting procedure are:

Liposuction procedure
Being a surgical procedure, Liposuction is riskier than CoolSculpting.

Common side effects of Liposuction procedure are:
Some accumulation of fluid may appear. Those may need to be drained

Much more severe can side effects can sometimes appear, but those are very rare. These side effects are: