CoolSculpting or Sono Bello: Discover the Top Choice for Your Body Goals
If you’re sick and tired of struggling with stubborn fat bulges in problem zones like the tummy or inner thighs, body contouring treatments may be the right solution! However, with so many available fat reduction methods on the market, it is hard to know which is the best choice. The truth is that some body contouring treatments are not always right for everyone. The right choice can depend on several factors, including weight, body goals, medical history, etc.
In this article, we compare the top two body contouring treatments available today to help you determine which method is best for you.
What is Body Contouring?
Body contouring, also referred to as body shaping, is a medical procedure for reshaping certain areas of the body and reducing fat. Procedures usually involve:
- Getting rid of extra skin (invasive surgeries like lipo)
- Eliminating excess fat cells for fat reduction
- Reshaping and contouring areas of the body for more substantial curves and a leaner physique
It is important to note that body contouring does not help with weight loss. Rather, most body contouring treatments, like CoolSculpting, focus on fat loss.
Related Reading: Does Body Contouring Work?
Comparing CoolSculpting to Sono Bello Lipo: An Overview
Here we have a broad overview of the differences and similarities between CoolSculpting and Sono Bello liposuction treatments:
| CoolSculpting | Sono Bello Lipo | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Non-invasive, non-surgical | Minimally invasive liposuction |
| Treatment time | Typically, 20-30 minutes, depending on treatment area(s) | Around an hour |
| Recovery | Minimal, if any | 2-4 weeks |
| Results | Laser liposuction results are immediately visible. | |
| Cost | Average cost of a CoolSculpting is $2000 – $4000 | Sono Bello can range anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500. |
| Side effects | Mild swelling and tenderness confined to the treatment area. | Scarring, bruising, tenderness, swelling, and contour irregularities. |
| CoolSculpting | Sono Bello Lipo | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment | Non-invasive, non-surgical | Minimally invasive liposuction |
| Treatment time | Typically, 20-30 minutes, depending on treatment area(s) | Around an hour |
| Recovery | Minimal, if any | 2-4 weeks |
| Results | Laser liposuction results are immediately visible. | |
| Cost | Average cost of a CoolSculpting is $2000 – $4000 | Sono Bello can range anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500. |
| Side effects | Mild swelling and tenderness confined to the treatment area. | Scarring, bruising, tenderness, swelling, and contour irregularities. |
The Differences Between CoolSculpting and Sono Bello
Sono Bello is a type of power-assisted liposuction known as laser lipolysis. It’s a micro-laser liposuction procedure that targets stubborn fat cells through tiny incisions in the treatment area. Because these incisions are so small, Sono Bello is considered minimally invasive.
In contrast, CoolSculpting is completely non-invasive. Instead of incisions, a CoolSculpting machine suctions the fat and freezes the cells from the outside, reducing fat in areas like the inner and outer thighs, upper arms, stomach, chin, and more.
How They Work
Both CoolSculpting and Sono Bello help you lose fat cells, but they each use vastly different technology. For example, CoolSculpting is entirely noninvasive and does not use any surgical means to achieve fat loss and body contouring. Rather, it uses a technology known as Cryolipolysis, which helps cool fat cells, eventually “freezing” them to death. Once the fat cells die, they are processed out of the body as waste.
Sono Bello is a form of laser liposuction. It is also an invasive surgery with a recovery period. Small incisions are made in target areas, and then a laser is used to loosen fat for it to be sucked out manually. Sono Bello procedures require local anesthesia. Depending on your specific fat removal treatment plan, the procedure may take 2-3.5 hours. Sono Bello is popular for removing fat from anywhere on the body.
Body Contouring Treatment Preparation
You don’t have to do a lot while preparing for CoolSculpting or Sono Bello treatments. The former is completely noninvasive, and the latter is minimally invasive. Therefore, treatment preparation becomes pretty straightforward. Here are some of the preparation instructions your provider will likely give you before either of these procedures:
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications or supplements at least a week before your procedure. If you’re on a prescribed blood thinner, be sure to consult with your doctor before stopping your medication.
- Stay well-hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment. Try to drink no less than 1 liter of water per day. Being dehydrated can negatively impact your treatment outcome. It could also increase your risk of discomfort and other side effects.
- Stop smoking a couple of weeks before your treatment. Smoking dehydrates the skin. It also hampers your body’s innate healing response. Smoking too soon after your procedure could stimulate unwanted post-treatment side effects.
The shared preparation instructions above apply to both treatments. However, CoolSculpting and Sono Bello also have their own unique preparatory instructions. For example, you should avoid tanning your skin at least a week before CoolSculpting treatment. If you’re a diabetic, bring insulin to your Sono Bello procedure. Talk to your provider about any other pre-treatment instructions you should follow before your CoolScupting or Sono Bello appointment.
Body Contouring Results
Let’s get into the biggest battle between body contouring treatments… the results. What kind of results do these powerhouse fat reduction methods achieve? Let’s look at their differences:
Sono Bello and CoolSculpting effectively remove belly fat, with Sono Bello achieving around a 24% reduction in excess fat and CoolSculpting about 25%. One key difference is that you’ll immediately notice a slimmer physique with Sono Bello’s elite body sculpture treatment. In contrast, CoolSculpting results gradually appear over a few months as your body eliminates the frozen fat cells. However, neither treatment is designed to remove excess skin.
What to Expect During Body Contouring
What to expect is different based on the treatment. If you choose CoolSculpting, you are in for a surprisingly relaxing experience. Many people find that after their cooling sessions begin, they can relax. Some people nap, and some read or watch TV. Not too bad.
Sono Bello, on the other hand, is an invasive surgery. It involves small incisions being made in the treatment area where the provider can suck out the fat buildup and work on contouring the physique. Most patients remain conscious during the procedure unless they ask to receive general anesthesia. In most cases, general anesthesia works just fine to numb the treatment site and minimize discomfort.
Body Contouring Aftercare Instructions
Similar to the pre-treatment instructions, CoolSculpting and Sono Bello share some aftercare instructions. They include:
- Wearing a compression garment after treatment as instructed by your provider.
- Staying hydrated to facilitate optimal healing and reduce unwanted side effects.
- Wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to put on and take off.
- Avoid drinking alcohol in the weeks following your procedure.
- Follow all of your provider’s body contouring aftercare instructions.
Sono Bello is more invasive than CoolSculpting. Therefore, it comes with more extensive aftercare instructions. For example, your provider will tell you how to clean your incision sites to prevent infections. You’ll also need to monitor your diet and avoid intense physical activity for at least two weeks after your treatment.
Treatment Areas
Another notable difference between Sono Bello and CoolSculpting is the treatment areas. Sono Bello is a laser liposuction treatment that can be used virtually anywhere on the body. While CoolSculpting is a non-surgical body contouring treatment that is FDA-cleared to treat the following areas:
- Neck and double chins (submental fullness)
- Chest
- Belly (the abdomen or stomach)
- Hips and love handles (the flanks)
- Back
- Armpit (bra fat or “bra bulge”)
- Upper arm fat (bat wings)
- Banana rolls (fat below the buttocks)
- Thighs (inner thigh fat and outer thigh fat)
- Knees (small pockets of fat above the knees)
Side Effects
Every aesthetic treatment comes with a risk of side effects. However, CoolSculpting has a lower risk of serious side effects than Sono Bello because of its noninvasive nature. The most common CoolSculpting side effects include localized mild discomfort and redness. Some patients may also experience increased skin sensitivity in the days or weeks after their appointment. Usually, these symptoms completely subside without any special interventions. Patients don’t experience any downtime after CoolSculpting. Usually, they can immediately get back to their normal daily routines.
The most common Sono Bello side effects include bruising, swelling, and soreness. These can last up to two weeks. Though rare, some patients may also develop post-operative infections requiring medical intervention. It’s also possible to receive contour irregularities or uneven results after Sono Bello treatment.
Since Sono Bello is a surgical procedure, it requires post-treatment downtime. Patients may need to take up to a week off work to recover. Depending on the patient, total recovery time may take up to four weeks.
Number of Treatments Required
No two bodies are exactly the same. Therefore it’s normal for one person to respond differently to body sculpting treatments than another person. Some people may be perfectly happy with their results after just one CoolSculpting or Sono Bello treatment. Others may need multiple appointments before they’re satisfied with their outcome. During your consultation, ask your provider how many CoolSculpting or Sono Bello treatments they think you’ll need.
Most people need between one and three CoolSculpting treatments for optimal results. In the case of Sono Bello treatments, some people only need one session. Others may need up to three sessions to get the look they want.
Cost Differences
Cost is another key difference between CoolSculpting and Sono Bello treatments. The total amount you’ll pay for either treatment depends on various factors. They include provider location and expertise, number of treatments, and size of the treatment area.
CoolSculpting can range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more per session. Sono Bello costs anywhere between $2,500 and $4,500 or more per treatment session. You may also have to pay an additional amount for anesthesia, post-op care, and surgeon’s fees.
Candidacy
If you’re considering CoolSculpting, the ideal candidate is someone with a body mass index (BMI) below 30. You should be within 20 pounds of your ideal weight and need extra help to remove stubborn fat pockets. CoolSculpting is perfect for those looking to contour their body, but it’s not an effective solution for weight loss.
On the other hand, if you’re thinking about Sono Bello, it’s best for individuals with a BMI of less than 42. You should also be close to your goal weight but have small problem areas that don’t respond to diet or exercise. Remember that you shouldn’t have a pacemaker or other wearable electronic device.
Body Contouring FAQs
How long do body contouring results last?
It depends on which treatment you choose to do. Ideally, both treatments provide permanent fat reduction and long-lasting results. With Sono Bello, the lipo part of the treatment sucks out fat from the body. CoolSculpting freezes the fat cells, causing them to die and later process out of the body as waste via the lymphatic system.
Once fat cells are removed from the body, they can never return or regrow. However, you must commit to a healthier lifestyle to ensure you don’t gain weight in your treatment area or anywhere else. Because, while you may have removed a large number of fat cells during your treatment, the surrounding cells left behind can still expand with weight gain and obscure your results.
Does body contouring hurt?
It depends on what you’re getting. Sono Bello is an invasive surgery, so it is considered painful, though a local anesthetic can make your discomfort more manageable. You will experience discomfort during and after the treatment as your body heals.
CoolSculpting can also cause some minor discomfort due to the cool temperatures used during the treatment. Most people explain it as a sort of shocking feeling you must get used to. Once used to the cold and the feeling of the device on your skin, you can relax and actually enjoy the treatment.
Are body contouring results permanent?
Yes, and no. Ideally, both CoolScultping and Sono Bello provide permanent fat reduction. However, to ensure you continue enjoying your body contouring results long-term, you must be more aware of your choices regarding eating and exercising. Committing to a clean and healthy diet and a regular exercise routine is the key to ensuring you enjoy your body contouring results forever.
CoolSculpting vs. Sono Bello: Which Will You Choose?
Still deciding between CoolSculpting and Sono Bello liposuction? Let Cool Contouring New York help. Schedule a consultation with the CoolSculpting experts on Long Island in NY. Our body contouring experts can evaluate your body and listen to your aesthetic goals to determine if CoolSculpting suits you. If it does, we will create the perfect treatment plan to achieve optimal fat reduction and body contouring without a lengthy recovery and invasive surgery.
Call us today at (516) 986-4900.
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About Safoora Obergh
Safoora grew up in Yonkers, NY, and pursued her education at St. John’s University in Queens. She began her career in the medspa industry in 2019 at CoolContouring and has been performing CoolSculpting, microneedling, and CoolTone treatments since 2020. Safoora has received advanced training in techniques from Allergan and was recognized as the number one CoolSculpting provider on Long Island in 2024. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their health and beauty goals. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, and exploring new cultures and cuisines while traveling throughout Europe and beyond.