Body Contouring 101: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re not seeing results from exercise and diet, you may want to consider body contouring. Several techniques are available, each suited to different purposes. Whether you’re interested in tightening your waistline or you’ve finally had it with those love handles, we offer a body contouring service that’s right for you.

CoolSculpting®, SculpSure®, and SmartLipo® are the three body contouring tools available at Lowcountry Plastic Surgery Center. Since you’re a unique individual, the type of procedure that’s best for you is likely to be different than what may work for someone else. Read on to learn the basics of each type of body contouring.

CoolSculpting

The technical name for CoolSculpting is cryolipolysis, and it’s an FDA-cleared procedure that freezes fat cells in order to destroy them. Once they are damaged, your body’s lymphatic system breaks them down and removes them.

Because you have to wait for your body to remove the fat cells, you may not see the full results for several weeks, and possibly as long as four months. You’ll likely notice changes before then, but it may take that long for the full effect to become apparent.

CoolSculpting is a noninvasive procedure, which means there are no needle sticks, no incisions, and no down time. The area you’re having treated may feel numb, both during and right after the treatment, but you’ll be able to immediately return to your normal activities.

SculpSure

SculpSure is an FDA-cleared treatment. It’s similar to CoolSculpting in that fat cells are destroyed by the device and eliminated by your body, but it works using the opposite temperature. SculpSure destroys fat cells by heating them with laser energy.

The two procedures are quite similar in terms of how they’re conducted, as well. SculpSure technology allows for the four applicators that deliver heat to be adjusted so that if they feel uncomfortable against your body, your technician can reposition them.

Like CoolSculpting, SculpSure is noninvasive, and you won’t need any recovery time following a treatment session. Treatments last about 25 minutes, and you may need multiple sessions to get your desired results.

SmartLipo

SmartLipo is a type of laser liposuction. The biggest difference with SmartLipo is that it’s a minimally invasive surgical procedure, while CoolSculpting and SculpSure are noninvasive.

During a SmartLipo treatment, a small incision is made, and a long, thin tube that houses the laser is inserted. The laser liquefies the fat cells and then they’re suctioned out. SmartLipo generally requires less recovery time than traditional liposuction, which also contours the body by suctioning out fat tissue.

If you’d like to learn more about body contouring and whether or not you might be a candidate, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hensel. He’ll be happy to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. Just call the office or click the “request appointment” button.