Is Non-Surgical Fat Reduction as Good as Liposuction?

In one form or another, reducing fat is highly sought-after by male and female patients. Depending on age, health, and metabolism, our bodies store fat differently, with many people experiencing excess fat pockets. These can also be resistant to diet and exercise.

Liposuction is the definitive choice in body contouring procedures, maintaining a solid track record of delivering fantastic results. However, there are more options now for patients looking for non-surgical fat reduction. They also offer unique benefits. So, which is better for you? Keep reading to find out.

What Are My Fat Reduction Options?

There are quite a few ways to combat fat besides diet and exercise. With any cosmetic fat reduction procedure, be it surgical or non-surgical, it is usually recommended that you seek treatment while committing to an established diet and exercise routine. Not only will your results be better, but being close to your ideal weight will make recovery more effective. Most cosmetic fat reduction treatments, including liposuction, are not weight loss solutions. They are designed to tone, tighten, and sculpt the body for aesthetic improvement.

Surgical Fat Reduction

Liposuction is the gold standard when it comes to fat reduction. This procedure targets specific areas of fat pockets to reveal a smoother, more contoured physique. Not only this, liposuction has an incredibly diverse application, as it can be used to treat areas such as:

• Neck and chin
• Abdomen
• Hips
• Flanks
• Thighs
• Knees
• Calves
• Arms

Liposuction can also be used with other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or a Mommy Makeover for focused fat removal.

The Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is a relatively straightforward procedure, beginning with your surgeon making small incisions around the treatment area. Next, your surgeon will insert a small, hollow tube called a cannula, which will be used to remove the fat permanently. Your surgeon will carefully move the cannula in a back-and-forth motion to sculpt a smooth and appealing contour.

Liposuction Recovery

Following your liposuction procedure, you will experience some swelling, soreness, and bruising. In many cases, patients must wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and allow the skin to accommodate new contours. Most patients can return to work after two to three days and resume routine exercise after two weeks.

Non-surgical Fat Reduction

Some patients do not want to undergo invasive surgery or deal with any recovery process. In these cases, non-surgical solutions may be the best choice. The truSculpt® iD is a non-invasive fat disruption treatment that permanently removes fat cells through radiofrequency therapy. An added benefit is that truSculpt®t ID can also tighten the skin simultaneously, something liposuction does not do. A variety of areas can be treated by truSculpt® iD, such as:

• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Hips
• Flanks
• Buttocks
• Chin
• Arms
• Knees
• Bra fat
• Armpit fat

By heating adipose tissue (fat), truSculpt® iD disrupts fat cells, which are naturally processed through the body for permanent removal.

truSculpt® iD Procedure

This procedure is entirely non-invasive, meaning there are no incisions, needles, or scarring. This is desirable for patients who would like contouring without the risk of pain or residual scars that surgical procedures often have. During your truSculpt® iD treatment, your aesthetic provider will apply the device paddles to the specific treatment area, distributing uniform radiofrequency energy into the tissue. Depending on your treatment plan, your provider can move the device to another treatment area as desired.

Most treatments take between 15 and 60 minutes, so many patients can easily schedule their truSculpt® iD appointments around their busy schedules.

truSculpt® iD Recovery

As this is a non-invasive treatment, slight recovery and downtime are associated with truSculpt® iD sessions. Some patients may experience mild redness, swelling, and tenderness in the treatment area(s), but these side effects subside within a few hours. You can resume your daily activities immediately following treatment, making this one of the easiest fat-reduction treatments available.

Your truSculpt® iD treatment results may take a few weeks to a few months to become fully visible. The results are gradually seen as the procedure requires your body to naturally dispose of disrupted fat cells.

Additionally, patients can need a varying number of treatment sessions, depending on the target areas, the depth of the fat, and the extent of the areas treated. Your aesthetic provider can give you a more personalized treatment plan after discussing your goals during your consultation.

Which Option Is Best For You?

This entirely depends on your goals, the results you desire, and personal choice. If you are unsure about undergoing surgery, then a non-invasive treatment such as truSculpt® iD is ideal for your body contouring and fat removal needs.

However, non-surgical options typically take longer to work than surgery. Liposuction will provide immediately noticeable results in just one session. So, if immediacy is part of your goal, surgery might be your best bet.

It is also essential to assess the level of treatment necessary. Your aesthetic surgeon at AesthetiCare can help you make the best choice for your body during your comprehensive consultation. Your surgeon will examine your target areas, assess your required revisions, and determine the best treatment plan for you.

Interested in Learning More About Surgical and Non-Surgical Fat Reduction in Southern California?

Our talented and knowledgeable aesthetic surgeons at AesthetiCare can help you make the best decision for your fat reduction needs. Call us today at (800) 662-1055 to schedule a consultation at one of our Southern California locations. We look forward to helping you achieve all of your aesthetic goals.