Fat Dissolving Treatments vs. Liposuction: Which is better?

Body contouring has become a popular way to shape and remove unwanted fat. While liposuction has been around for decades, newer treatments that dissolve fat without surgery are gaining attention.

These options promise similar results with less downtime, making many wonder which option is better. Should you choose traditional liposuction or try one of the newer fat-dissolving treatments?

Let’s compare both approaches to help you understand the differences. We’ll look at how they work, their effectiveness, recovery time and who might benefit most from each option.

What Are Fat-Dissolving Treatments?

Fat-dissolving treatments are non-surgical procedures that break down fat cells using special injections. These shots contain chemicals that target fat cells beneath the skin. The main ingredient is often deoxycholic acid, similar to something your body makes to digest fat from food. When it’s injected into fatty areas, it damages the fat cells, causing them to break open.

Once the fat cells break down, your body processes and removes the released fat through your natural metabolic system. Your lymphatic system helps flush these broken-down fat particles out of your body over time.

The doctor usually does this treatment in about 30 minutes. You’ll need 2 to 4 sessions, a few weeks apart, to see all the results. People often get it on their double chin, tummy, legs, and those hard-to-lose fat spots that don’t go away with diet and exercise.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgery that eliminates fat from the body using suction. The doctor makes tiny cuts and inserts a small cannula tube connected to a suction machine that pulls the fat out.

The procedure is usually done while you’re under anaesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep and won’t feel pain during the surgery.  Depending on how much fat is taken out, it can take from one to several hours.

There are different ways to do liposuction. Some use suction to remove fat. Others use new technology like ultrasound, lasers, or water to break the fat up first, so it’s easier to take out.

Liposuction can help shape many areas, like your stomach, thighs, butt, arms, back, and chin. After, you’ll have to wear special tight-fitting clothes to help your skin settle into its new form and reduce any puffiness.

How does the Experience of Fat-dissolving treatment and Liposuction differ?

Deciding between fat-dissolving shots and liposuction isn’t just about the result. You must also know what you’ll go through during the treatment and how you’ll feel afterwards. Here’s a simple comparison:

1. Pain Level: Fat dissolving shots will likely cause discomfort and soreness when you get them for about a week. Liposuction doesn’t hurt because you’re asleep, but the recovery can be more painful and last a week or two.
2. Procedure Time: Fat-dissolving shots are usually done in 30 to 45 minutes for each spot. Liposuction takes longer, from one to three hours, depending on the number of areas.
3. Anesthesia: Fat dissolving treatments use only topical numbing cream or local anesthesia. Liposuction requires local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, which comes with additional risks.
4. Downtime: Fat dissolving shots have very little downtime. You can go back to your normal stuff in a day or two. Liposuction needs a lot more rest. You’ll likely need to take 3 to 7 days off from work and be careful with activities for 2 to 4 weeks.
5. Aftercare: After fat dissolving, you don’t need much special care, just a light massage, and you’re good to go. Liposuction is different – you must wear tight garments day and night for weeks, manage fluid draining, and attend follow-up appointments.

Possible Risks For Both Treatments

Both fat dissolving and liposuction have risks and possible problems. Knowing these can help you decide which one is best for you.

Fat Dissolving Treatments – Risks

• Swelling and Bruising: Most patients experience swelling, redness, and bruising that typically fades within 1-2 weeks.
• Pain and Discomfort: There may be moderate discomfort, tenderness, or a burning sensation at injection sites for several days after treatment.
• Uneven Results: Fat may dissolve unevenly, leading to a lumpy or asymmetrical appearance that might require additional treatments.
• Numbness: Temporary numbness in the treated area is common and usually resolves within a few weeks.
• Skin Issues: Some patients experience skin ulceration, hardness, or changes in skin texture in the injected site.
• Allergic Reactions: Though rare, some people may have allergic reactions to the injectable solution.

Liposuction-Complications

• Infection: Like after any surgery, watch out for signs of infection where you had cuts; you might need antibiotics.
• Uneven skin: Sometimes, the skin looks bumpy or uneven after liposuction and might not go away.
• Fluid under the skin: You might get pockets of fluid the doctor might need to drain.
• Numbness: The area might feel numb, and sometimes it can last.
• Rare internal injury: It’s very unlikely, but their tube could hurt something inside.
• Blood clots: There’s a serious risk of blood clots forming and travelling to your lungs.
• Anaesthesia problems: There can be issues with the medicine they use to put you to sleep, like breathing problems or reactions.

Who’s The Ideal Candidate?

When deciding between these two, it’s about finding the one that fits your body, goals, and life. Here’s who usually benefits the most from each procedure.

Best Candidates For Fat Dissolvers

Fat dissolving treatments are often a good choice for people with small areas of fat they want to target, like a double chin or little bulges on their sides. It’s also for those who wish to avoid surgery and prefer a treatment with little downtime. You’ll likely see the best results if you’re already near your goal weight (within about 20 pounds) and your skin bounces back well.

Who Should Go For Liposuction?

Liposuction could be a good solution if you have bigger areas of fat that haven’t responded to healthy eating and exercise. It’s often a good fit for people close to their ideal weight, who have good skin and want more dramatic changes through surgery. You’ll need to be able to take time off to heal and follow the aftercare instructions. Also, it’s generally recommended for those without severe health conditions like heart disease or diabetes and who prefer a single procedure rather than multiple sessions.

You may also like to read: How does Lemon Bottle Fat Dissolving Work?

Final Thoughts

Both fat-dissolving treatments and liposuction can help you gain a more contoured body, but they work in different ways. Fat dissolving treatments offer a gentler approach with less downtime but modest results. Liposuction provides more dramatic changes but requires surgery and recovery time. The best decision depends on your aims, budget, and how much fat you want to remove. Always contact a qualified medical professional to determine the right option for your situation.

FAQs

How long do results last for each procedure?

Both procedures provide permanent results if you maintain a stable weight, as neither fat cells nor dissolved fat will return.

How much fat can each procedure remove? 

Fat dissolving treatments can reduce small areas by 20-25%, while liposuction can remove much larger volumes (up to several litres) of fat.

Can I have both procedures done on different body areas?

Yes, many people choose liposuction for larger areas like the abdomen and fat dissolving for smaller areas like under the chin.

How soon will I see the results from each procedure? 

Fat dissolving results appear gradually over 6-12 weeks, while liposuction results become visible once swelling subsides (about 4-6 weeks).

Are these procedures alternatives to weight loss?

Neither procedure is for weight loss; they’re body contouring treatments for stubborn fat pockets that resist diet and exercise.