NON-INVASIVE FAT REDUCTION VS. BI-SCULPT

February 9, 2021


non-invasive fat reduction

Fat reduction procedures are soaring to new levels of popularity. Today’s patients have a plethora of treatment options that can sculpt a leaner and more toned physique, all of which can be broken down into two primary categories: surgical and non-surgical. These are very different approaches, both with advantages and disadvantages. The hard part is deciding which one you want.

At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we believe it’s crucial for our patients to understand their options and know exactly what they’re getting. Dr. Andrews’ Bi-Sculpt body contouring procedure is a cutting-edge take on traditional liposuction. Minimally-invasive and non-invasive fat reduction treatments — like AirSculpt and CoolSculpting — are alternatives for patients who don’t want to undergo major surgery.

How do these options compare, and which one is right for you? Let’s explore.

What Is Bi-Sculpt Body Contouring?

Bi-Sculpt blends the benefits of traditional liposuction with power-assisted liposuction (PAL) for maximum results. To perform the procedure, Dr. Andrews makes small incisions in the skin and uses an oscillating cannula to break up fat cells before they’re suctioned out of the body. This process makes fat extraction faster and more effective, as well as gentler on the surrounding tissues for a shorter and more comfortable recovery. The fat cells are physically removed from your body and never return.

What Is Non-invasive Lipo?

Non-invasive fat reduction is a broad term that refers to various non-surgical fat reduction treatments. These treatments don’t remove fat cells from the body. Instead, they use some kind of technology that doesn’t require incisions to damage fat cells. Then, it’s up to your body’s immune system to eliminate the treated fat cells over a period of weeks following the procedure. For example…

Bi-Sculpt vs. CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is completely non-invasive, while Bi-Sculpt is a surgical procedure. The CoolSculpting treatment works by using a targeted cooling process (cryolipolysis) to freeze unwanted fat cells and initiate a natural response that gradually removes them from the body. Patients are awake and free to relax while applicators are placed on their body. CoolSculpting does not involve incisions, sutures, scarring or needles and needs no anesthesia.

There are also minimally-invasive fat reduction procedures. Think of them as a middle ground between liposuction and non-invasive fat reduction. For example…

Bi-Sculpt vs. AirSculpt

AirSculpt uses air pressure and laser to soften and remove unwanted fat. Like Bi-Sculpt, AirSculpt is performed with a cannula that must be inserted under the skin. Patients are not given general anesthesia, meaning they are awake throughout the AirSculpt treatment. Downtime is minimal and the fat cells are removed from the body right away, so only one treatment is required per area in most cases.

Bi-Sculpt vs. Non-invasive Fat Reduction: Breaking It Down

Now let’s get down to the details. Which procedure will deliver your desired body transformation? Ultimately, it depends on what’s most important to you.

The Practitioner

Bi-Sculpt and traditional liposuction are performed by a board-certified surgeon. A plastic surgeon like Dr. Andrews utilizes their surgical training and their artistic eye to deliver precise, customized body contouring results. Non-invasive fat reduction treatments may be performed by other medical professionals, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, who operate a machine that delivers less-personalized results.

The Treatment Areas

Dr. Andrews can use Bi-Sculpt liposuction to reduce fat in many areas, including the abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, knees, calves, upper arms, chest and neck. Almost any area of your body can be treated with liposuction. Non-invasive fat reduction treatments tend to be more limited. Because they often involve applicators of specific sizes and shapes, they can only treat areas that can accommodate the applicators.

The Mechanism of Action

Bi-Sculpt physically removes fat cells from the body. They’re taken out during the treatment, so body contour improvements are visible right away. Non-invasive fat reduction relies on natural bodily processes to eliminate fat cells. They’re gradually broken down and disposed of by the immune system, which means results develop over an extended period of weeks to months. For dramatic and immediate results, liposuction can’t be beaten. For subtle results that look completely natural, non-invasive treatments excel.

The Anesthesia

Dr. Andrews can perform Bi-Sculpt procedures under general anesthesia or, if smaller areas are to be treated, local anesthesia with oral sedation. Non-surgical procedures like CoolSculpting don’t require any anesthesia. As a general rule, anesthesia-free procedures are less risky and more convenient (you can drive yourself home and don’t require assistance from a caregiver).

The Recovery

There is a recovery period after traditional liposuction. Fortunately, with Bi-Sculpt, downtime is limited. You can schedule the procedure for a Friday and plan to be back to work on Monday. Swelling and bruising may last several weeks. You’ll be able to appreciate your results fully once these subside. With non-invasive fat reduction, there may be no recovery period. In fact, you might be able to receive a session over your lunch break and go right back to work. Side effects are typically minimal and dissipate within a week.

The Treatment Plan

Bi-Sculpt is a ‘one-and-done’ procedure. It can remove a more significant amount of fat than a non-invasive treatment, so most patients can achieve their goals with just one procedure. Non-invasive fat reduction treatments often require more than one session to achieve optimal results. Their results are cumulative — each session removes a limited amount of fat, and those improvements build over time until the patient’s goals are reached.

The Cost

Non-invasive fat reduction is often billed as an affordable alternative to surgical liposuction. This can be true for some patients, but it isn’t true for all. An individual non-surgical fat reduction session is less expensive than a liposuction procedure. However, if a patient requires multiple non-surgical sessions to achieve their goals, their total investment may end up exceeding the Bi-Sculpt cost.

The Results

Bi-Sculpt and non-invasive fat reduction deliver long-lasting, perhaps even permanent, results. Both options eliminate fat for good, so you can enjoy your improved figure indefinitely as long as you lead a healthy lifestyle. The most important difference between these approaches where results are concerned is how quickly you’ll see them. With Bi-Sculpt, you can start seeing improvements right away. With non-invasive fat reduction, you’ll need to wait weeks before you can see your new contours.

Find Your Treatment & Start Your Transformation

When making any decisions about your body, we want you to be informed and confident. Dr. Kahlil Andrews and his staff are excited to talk you through the details and help you make the choices that are right for you. Visit our CoolSculpting and Bi-Sculpt before and after galleries to see the results our patients have achieved, then give us a call at 319-800-6877 to schedule your consultation. We look forward to taking the next steps of your journey with you.

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
5.0
2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
5.0
2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*
5.0
2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
5.0
2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*

Jan 24th, 2013

Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*
2015-02-10T19:26:55-06:00
Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*

Nov 2nd, 2012

I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*
2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

Oct 29th, 2012

Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*
2015-02-10T19:27:54-06:00
Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*

Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
2015-03-30T12:00:04-05:00
Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

You Rock!!

I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

Amazing!

I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*
2015-03-30T12:02:20-05:00
I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*

With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
2015-03-30T12:02:40-05:00
With appreciation for putting me back together!*

I am forever grateful

I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*
2015-03-30T12:03:02-05:00
I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*

Thank You

Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*
2015-03-30T12:03:24-05:00
Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*

April 12, 2016

Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
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