Liposuction is a surgical procedure developed in the 1980s, and can be performed under local anesthesia, under sedation, or with full general anesthesia. There are different methods of liposuction, including suction, ultrasound, vibratory, laser, or water jet. The incisions for liposuction are about a quarter-inch or less, so scarring is minimal. However, the recovery time with liposuction is a few weeks, where bruising and swelling are common.
Unlike liposuction, CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that does not require any anesthesia. Liposuction is a surgical procedure for fat removal, and many areas can be treated at once. CoolSculpting is entirely non-surgical procedure, and can be done over several sessions.
For patients that want to avoid surgery, or want to treat smaller fat deposits, CoolSculpting is a good option.