What are the Differences Between Non-Surgical Body Contouring and Liposuction?

Body contouring can help you achieve your desired physique, but choosing the right one for you can be overwhelming with so many options available. Two popular methods are non-surgical body contouring, such as Sculpsure, and liposuction. While both aim to remove excess fat and sculpt your body, their approach and results differ.

Non-Surgical Body Contouring with Sculpsure

If you want to improve your body shape without surgery, non-surgical body contouring may be an option. Non-surgical body contouring refers to a group of procedures that use various technologies to reduce fat and improve body shape without surgery. These procedures are typically performed in an outpatient setting and do not require general anesthesia.

FDA-cleared SculpSure® at Criswell & Criswell Plastic Surgery is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that can reduce fat in difficult areas resistant to diet and exercise. Using light technology, this non-invasive fat reduction can simultaneously target excessive fat on the:

• Love handles
• Abdomen
• Flanks
• Thighs
• Bra roll
• Saddlebags
• Arms
• Neck

In the following weeks and months, the fat cells are absorbed and naturally flushed from the body, leaving the treated area flatter, firmer, and tighter. SculpSure’s innovative design allows patients to undergo a comfortable procedure that can be completed in as little as 25 minutes. Best of all, there’s no downtime!

Liposuction for Surgical Body Contouring

Liposuction may be the answer if you want a more drastic change in your body shape. This surgical procedure removes fat from specific body areas using a suction technique. It is typically performed under general anesthesia and involves making small incisions in the skin to inject a tumescent solution (dilute local anesthesia) into the fat. This causes the targeted areas to become tumescent or swollen and firm. Once the sites have been injected, your surgeon will use tiny cannulas to remove the fat deposits and sculpt your desired body area.

Results from liposuction will be visible following your procedure; however, there will be some swelling and bruising in the treated areas. These areas will return to normal over around five to eight weeks. Some factors to consider include:

• A support garment should be worn for about six weeks to lessen the amount of swelling
• Massaging the areas will help to avoid dimpling and hypersensitivity
• Typically, around 4 to 7 days off of work will be recommended for proper recovery
• Do not engage in strenuous activities for approximately two weeks

Differences Between Non-Surgical Body Contouring and Liposuction

While both body contouring methods aim to remove unwanted fat from the body, there are some critical differences between the two:

• Liposuction is a surgical procedure, so it requires a longer recovery time than non-surgical body contouring. You may need to take time off work and avoid strenuous activity for several weeks after liposuction.
• Non-surgical body contouring, on the other hand, typically has little to no downtime, and you can usually return to your normal activities immediately after the procedure.
• Both liposuction and non-surgical body contouring can significantly improve body shape and contour. However, liposuction typically produces more dramatic results, especially in areas with larger amounts of fat. Non-surgical body contouring is better suited for smaller fat areas or patients who do not want to undergo surgery.

Which Procedure at Criswell & Criswell is Right for You?

Non-surgical treatments reduce the appearance of cellulite and tighten loose skin, while liposuction removes excess fat from specific body areas. Consider your goals and consult with us to help determine which procedure is best suited to help you achieve them. Contact Criswell & Criswell today!