For years, liposuction was the gold standard for removing stubborn fat. But today, non-invasive Cryolipolysis — especially with advanced systems like the Cristal-Pro — has changed the way patients and practitioners think about body contouring.
Each method has different strengths and will appeal to different patients depending on their circumstances. In many cases, these two approaches aren’t competitors. Combining them can offer results that are smoother, more precise, and more natural-looking than either treatment alone.
This week in our Cryo Lab series, we will be exploring the two fat-removing techniques and sharing some of the key factors that patients will consider when choosing a treatment.
As plastic surgeon Dr. Taimur Shoaib explains:
“Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise, and it involves having an operation, making small incisions into the area where liposuction is going to be performed and sucking out the fat using a cannula.”
Liposuction delivers instant results, but it’s usually done only once.
Cryolipolysis, on the other hand, is gentler and can be repeated multiple times on different areas, allowing for progressive, global body sculpting.
At his clinic, La Belle Forme in Glasgow, Dr. Shoaib often performs liposuction first, then follows with cryolipolysis:
“Surgically I’m going to be removing the fat cells at the deeper aspect of the skin, nearer where the muscles are. But I want cryolipolysis to treat the fat cells which are nearer the skin. If I do liposuction too close to the skin, then I can leave dense and contour irregularities and lumps and I don’t want to do that. So I target my liposuction to the deeper fat cells, and then subsequently we see what the results are. If there are any further areas of fat reduction that we want to achieve, then cryolipolysis works great in targeting those small, stubborn, resistant areas of fat that have not been addressed adequately with liposuction.”
Debulking with liposuction
Refining with Cryolipolysis for small, stubborn areas
Reducing risk of lumps or uneven texture
Creating a harmonious, sculpted silhouette
Another key difference is the recovery involved with each treatment.
Cryolipolysis: A typical treatment takes 30-60 minutes, followed by a few days of mild discomfort, and then results appear gradually over 6-12 weeks, with no interruption to daily life.
Liposuction: Requires anaesthetic, several weeks of swelling/bruising, and more intensive aftercare.
For many patients, the downtime and level of interruption from normal activities is a key deciding factor determining whether they choose cryolipolysis, liposuction or a combination of both.
Not all Cryolipolysis devices are created equal. When it comes to precision, comfort, and safety, the Cristal-Pro stands in a league of its own. Engineered with advanced European technology, it’s designed not just for standalone fat reduction but also perfect for refinement work often needed after liposuction.
Cavity Cooling Diffusion System –Unlike traditional Peltier cooling, Cristal Pro’s patented system delivers consistent, even temperatures across the entire treatment area, ensuring maximum fat cell destruction while protecting surrounding tissues.
Quadruple Applicator Capability– Treat up to four areas simultaneously, reducing chair time and making large or multi-zone treatments far more efficient for both patients and clinics.
Integrated Ultrasound Measurement– Allows practitioners to precisely assess fat layer thickness before and after treatment, enabling tailored protocols and measurable, trackable results for every patient.
Uncompromising Safety Record– With no reported cases of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, Cristal-Pro has earned a reputation for safety and reliability, giving patients confidence and practitioners peace of mind.
Post-liposuction patients looking to fine-tune their shape
Surgery-averse clients wanting visible results without downtime
Those with stubborn pockets are unaffected by diet or exercise
It’s not a battle of Cryolipolysis vs. Liposuction; it’s about choosing the right treatment plan for the best outcome, based on each patient’s individual needs.
As Dr. Shoaib explains:
“With Cryolipolysis, however, we can repeat the treatment and we can do it again and again, and we can do it in different parts of the body, and we can create more of a global sculpting… And so it’s a more gentle way of achieving the body contouring that we’re trying to obtain.”
With the Cristal-Pro, surgical clinics can offer a flexible, patient-focused treatment plan that blends surgical power with non-invasive precision, delivering results that look natural and last.
If you're interested in leveraging the power of cryolipolysis in your clinic, get in touch with our team today for more information or a product demo.
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