CoolSculpting vs. Tummy Tuck: Which is right for you?

Supplementing a balanced, nutritious diet with a diligent workout routine is key to maintaining a healthy weight and shifting stubborn tummy fat. But as we get older, our bodies naturally retain more fat which can be hard to shift, even with the combination of eating well and plenty of exercise. If you’re looking for a more targeted approach, you may be considering having a procedure such as CoolSculpting or a surgical Tummy Tuck to help improve your concerns.

If you’re wondering which is right for you out of the two treatments, this is everything you need to know.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss treatment, rather, as the name suggests, it can be used to sculpt and define your body. The treatment uses the technique of precisely controlled cooling, known as cryolipolysis, to kill fat cells under the skin without harming the surrounding tissues.

It works by destroying the sub-dermal fat cells in particular areas using a cooling applicator. Once these fat cells have been treated, the body eliminates them over a few months.

The treatment can be applied to multiple areas of the body, with the stomach being one of the most common to be treated. Men, in particular, are prone to carrying excess fat around the stomach. Women are more likely to carry weight on their thighs/bums/hips pre-menopause, but post menopause this is likely to start to shift to their abdomen. CoolSculpting can help address this and also other areas such as the back, flanks, arms, thighs, knees and even under the chin.

What results can I expect to see on the stomach?

Excessive fat around the abdomen is a common concern for men and women, especially as they approach and go through the ageing process.

When you attend a CoolSculpting consultation, your practitioner will assess your age, skin quality, how the area will appear after treatment, and how thick or pinchable the tissue is. If the area has dense or firm tissue, CoolSculpting likely won’t give you the best result.

Usually, it takes two to three treatments to achieve optimum results, which will be visible in the form of a 20-30 per cent fat reduction of the treated area. When targeting the stomach, you can expect to achieve mild-moderate fat reduction, an improved waistline and less bulging of the area.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

An abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a Tummy Tuck, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that makes the abdomen flatter and firmer. Excess fat and skin are removed from the abdominal area in order to tighten the muscles and tissues. The procedure can be used to reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen following weight gain or pregnancy, leading to a flatter, more defined body shape.

Like CoolSculpting, a Tummy Tuck isn’t a weight-loss treatment and patients should be within 10-15% of their ideal weight for best results. The procedure requires at least two weeks off work, and some patience as your body fully recovers. It’s this extensive downtime that prompts many patients to explore the non-surgical options that are available.

How does CoolSculpting compare to a tummy tuck? Which is right for me?

Harvard scientists behind the CoolSculpting device have discovered the perfect temperature to destroy fat cells at minus 11 degrees Celsius, with an inbuilt patented safety mechanism called Freezedetect. For this reason, CoolSculpting is considered the safest and most effective non-surgical fat reduction treatment on the market.

However, as previously stated, CoolSculpting isn’t suitable for everyone. While it may be the appropriate treatment for patients seeking a non-surgical method to reduce fat in a localised area, a tummy tuck may be more suitable if the tissue is too dense or firm for CoolSculpting or if there is significantly lax skin. After a tummy tuck, the results are noticeable within days after the procedure, whereas the body will continue to excrete fat cells for approximately 12 weeks after CoolSculpting, and the full results will be visible at the end of this period. CoolSculpting is far less invasive, and no downtime is required.

Whilst CoolSculpting is very effective at reducing stubborn fat pockets, it doesn’t tighten loose skin as a Tummy Tuck does. However, there any many non-surgical options that can be used alongside CoolSculpting to help tighten mild skin sagging and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. These include Venus Viva and Profound RF – energy-based treatments that use heat to stimulate collagen production and skin repair.

Ultimately, the most appropriate treatment option is one that aligns with your aesthetic goals and individual preferences. Consulting with a medical practitioner is undoubtedly a great place to start determining which procedure is right for you.

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Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.