If you’re considering a belly fat removal procedure, you may wonder which option for fat removal would be best for you. These days, there seem to be many options, both surgical and non-surgical, to choose from. It isn’t too surprising that prospective patients struggle to decide on the correct procedure for them. A lot of people would prefer to avoid undergoing surgery with its associated pain and downtime. There are several non-invasive options now out there that would eliminate the need for any suffering. But would these non-invasive treatments work?
What Does Liposuction Involve?
Stomach liposuction is a very popular cosmetic procedure with a long history. The surgeon performs the surgery under a local anesthetic so the patient can go home the same day. After making incisions in the abdomen, the surgeon passes a tube called a cannula through. They use the cannula to break the fat cells up and then suction them out. The surgeon then sculpts the stomach to achieve a slimmer, more contoured appearance.
After surgery, the patient must rest and recuperate for a few days. They will have a couple of weeks of downtime, during which they’ll experience swelling, bruising, and some pain. After a couple of weeks, they can return to most normal activities, including work. The final result will be visible within around six months. Once all the swelling has subsided, the patient will see a smoother, tighter stomach. Their clothes will fit more comfortably, and they will enjoy better self-confidence and self-esteem.
Also Read – Does Liposuction of Belly Fat Remove Visceral Fat?
What Are Non-Invasive Procedures?
There are several non-surgical treatments that claim to reduce belly fat. These use various processes and technologies to sculpt, recontour, and shape fat. The idea of these procedures is to make the patient look more shapely, contoured, and slimmer. The great benefit they propose, though, is that there is no need for incisions, anesthetics, downtime, or long recovery times. Essentially, patients should be able to attend a clinic for a non-invasive procedure and return to work immediately afterward.
Some of the most common non-invasive procedures include Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting) and Emsculpt.
CoolSculpting works by using freezing temperatures in order to break the fat cells down. The underlying tissues and skin remain unaffected. The practitioner will vacuum the skin over the fat into a special applicator to cool the fat cells. The procedure will take between 35 and 60 minutes. It involves no downtime since the tissues and skin experience no damage. Afterward, though, some people say the site is sore, discolored, swollen, or itchy. It takes between four and six months before the fat cells will leave the body. The fat will only decrease by around 20%.
Emsculpt uses a different technique to sculpt the abdomen. It contracts the muscles to yield improved muscle tone while reducing fat. The procedure involves the direction of electromagnetic energy onto the area. That forces 100% contraction of the muscles, holding them in position for around six seconds. Even a strong person is only able to contract their stomach muscles for less than a second to 30-35% capacity. The contractions cause the muscle to reconstruct itself, eliminating the fat cells. This procedure is non-invasive, so it has no downtime but only reduces fat by around 19%.
What Are the Differences Between Non-Surgical and Surgical Procedures
The major difference between non-surgical and surgical fat removal procedures is downtime. Liposuction requires recovery time, whereas non-invasive procedures do not. However, liposuction is a proven, tried, and tested technique that works and produces permanent results. Also, only a single lipo surgery is needed, whereas non-invasive procedures usually require multiple sessions. Most importantly, lipo can produce far more drastic and impressive results. Emsculpt and CoolSculpting only reduce fat by around 20%. A skilled surgeon can remove up to 80% or 90% of excess fat with liposuction techniques. Also, liposuction can treat larger areas more effectively, such as the entire midsection area, to produce optimal results. Non-invasive treatments are most effective when treating only small areas of excess fat, such as the double chin.
Should I Have Non-Surgical Stomach Fat Removal or Liposuction?
At the end of the day, only you can decide which treatment is the right option for you. If you want to experience minimum downtime, a non-invasive procedure could be the right choice. But if you want the most impressive outcome, lipo is probably the best solution. Liposuction is a highly-effective technique and is proven to produce better results. If you want to remove the maximum amount of fat from your abdomen, liposuction is your top choice.
Nevertheless, whichever option you choose, it’s imperative to seek out a highly experienced professional. If you are planning liposuction belly fat removal, Dr. Su at ArtLipo is your number one in Tampa, Florida. Call the team today to arrange your consultation, and you’ll soon be seeing a flatter, slimmer stomach.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
