SmartLipo versus Coolsculpt

SmartLipo versus Coolscuplt

I personally believe that Coolsculpt essentially has marketed itself entirely on the fact that they have ignored the existence of Smartlipo (Laserlipo).

Let’s first start with…

What is Coolsculpt?

Essentially Coolsculpt is a non-invasive procedure where special paddles are placed on fatty areas, cold temperatures travel through the skin, and the cold temperature damages the fat cells.

Why Do I Say That Coolscuplt has little place if people know SmartLipo Existed?

Coolsculpt markets itself as a non-invasive alternative to painful surgery with downtime and moderate risks. This might be true if Smartlipo were painful, moderately invasive, and had real downtime. However, Smartlipo is done in my office with no IV therapy. Although it is invasive, it is minimally invasive through very tiny incisions, which are only about 3-4 mm in size. (about this size __). Since it is done in the office, you go home immediately. Many patients take a small pill for oral sedation, which means you should not drive or do any important work that day. However, some patients take no sedation and can drive themselves for the procedure and can work from home for the rest of the day. Everyone showers and goes back to work the next day. Thus except for losing the rest of the day from Smartlipo, there is minimal downtime.

There is very little risk from Smartlipo if your surgeon knows what he is doing. I have done over 550 Smartlipo cases in my office with no complications, as of February 2016.

Which is More Effective: SmartLipo or Coolscuplt?

Even on the Coolsculpt website, it acknowledges that more fat will be removed with liposuction. I feel that Smartlipo, with the addition of the laser, allows a better result than liposuction alone.

When Smartlipo is done, a fiberoptic laser fiber is inserted through a very tiny incision and direct contact is made with the fat cells. The heated laser beam instantly melts these fat cells. The area is numbed up fully so that you do not feel any of the heat or any discomfort.

If the Coolsculpt works at all, it is significantly limited because it has to pass through the skin, without damaging it and then penetrate into the fat but not so deeply as to damage the muscles or organs under the fat. It also relies on your body to remove the fat, whereas with Smartlipo, I remove the damaged fat through liposuction, after the laser has melted it.

Is There Any Role for Coolscuplt Now That SmartLipo Is Readily Available?

Coolsculpt costs less than Smartlipo (though Smartlipo is quite affordable and we offer financing). There will be a small number of patients who just cannot afford SmartLipo but want to have something done. Coolsculpt seems like a good option in that case. Also, there may be patients who are post-op who want some additional fat loss and again, if Smartlipo is not an option, Coolsculpt may be a good alternative. 

Lastly since Coolsculpt is non-invasive, it may be an option for those patients on certain medication that they cannot stop such as aspirin and other blood thinners (you would have to check this with the company).