When diet and exercise aren’t enough for stubborn areas of fat, many patients turn to liposuction. More than 250,000 liposuction procedures took place in 2018 alone. While there are many types of liposuction, they all operate on the same premise. During liposuction, a surgeon breaks apart the fat and then removes it with machine-powered suction.
VASER liposuction represents the latest revolution in liposuction technology. It is gentle, precise, and removes more fat than other techniques. That is just the beginning of why our surgeons at Body Contouring Surgery Clinic prefer VASER. In this article, you will get to know what sets this highly advanced form of liposuction apart from older fat reduction technologies.
This page has answers to all your VASER liposuction questions, including:
- What is VASER liposuction?
- What body parts can it treat?
- How is it different from standard liposuction?
- What are the benefits?
- Are there any disadvantages?
- Who is a good candidate?
- What are the risks?
- What happens during the VASER procedure?
- What is recovery like?
- What kind of results can I expect?
- How do I choose a surgeon for VASER liposuction?
- FAQs
What is VASER Liposuction?
VASER is considered the ‘gold standard’ of liposuction by many surgeons. It stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Phew, that’s a mouthful! So, what does it all mean?
How does VASER work?
Unlike standard liposuction which manually breaks up the fat with an aggressive back-and-forth motion, the VASER probe vibrates at a high frequency to break down the fat cells. The probe oscillates 36,000 times per second so it is ultrasonic. Cavitation is an effect of ultrasound waves on the fat cells. Essentially, the fat cells compress and expand repeatedly during the cavitation process, causing damage to the cells until they burst open. The solid fat starts to liquefy, and our surgeons then suction the fat out through a liposuction cannula. The suction that is needed to remove the fat is set to low; Since the fat is liquefied, it does not require high suction power. Therefore, VASER is gentler on the tissues than regular liposuction, potentially resulting in less bruising and discomfort afterwards.
What areas can VASER treat?
VASER is an excellent way to reduce fat on the:
- Arms
- Chest
- Flanks
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Upper Back
- Neck and Chin
- Abdomen and Hips
Benefits of VASER Liposuction
- Less bruising
- Removes more fat
- Reduces blood loss
- Improves skin retraction
- Gets closer to the skin surface
- Fewer incidents of skin rippling
VASER vs standard liposuction: Is there a difference?
Our surgeons have observed that VASER removes more fat than regular liposuction because it gets very close to the skin surface. Our patients usually have a more refined result when they choose VASER. There is less risk of cosmetic skin irregularities such as rippling. VASER also promotes better skin retraction around the new body contours and reduces the amount of blood lost during liposuction. We have found there is less bruising because VASER uses lower suction power to remove the fat compared to normal liposuction.
Disadvantages of VASER Liposuction
- Takes longer than standard liposuction
- May cause more swelling since it removes more fat
- More expensive because of the extra time in the operating room
VASER has a few minor drawbacks compared to other types of liposuction. Firstly, it takes a bit longer to perform the procedure, which increases the time you will spend in the operating room by approximately 30 minutes to two hours. Due to the extra time it takes to perform VASER lipo, it is slightly more costly than standard liposuction. Finally, some studies suggest VASER causes more swelling, although this is likely due to the fact that you’re removing more fat. Swelling is a temporary side effect of liposuction and will fade with time.
VASER Liposuction Candidates
VASER is suitable for individuals who want to reduce fat pockets on areas such as the stomach, hips, arms, legs, back, neck, or chin. It only treats subcutaneous fat. The ideal candidate has a BMI of 25 or less, does not smoke, and is in good overall mental and physical health. Individuals who have serious health conditions or bleeding disorders may not be eligible for the procedure. At Body Contouring Surgery Clinic, our specialists will review your medical history with you to determine whether it is safe for you to undergo liposuction.
Possible Risks and Complications
Our surgeons at Body Contouring Surgery Clinic will let you know about all the possible liposuction risks and complications before you agree to have the surgery. Possible risks and side effects may include:
- Scars
- Seroma
- Infection
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Mortality
- Soreness
- Numbness
- Blood clots
- Asymmetry
- Haematoma
- Nerve damage
- Dissatisfaction with results
- Adverse reaction to anaesthesia
Patients who see a qualified surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions have the lowest complication rates. While problems can occur no matter who you see for liposuction, our surgeons have successfully performed thousands of VASER procedures. We offer ongoing care after your surgery and are equipped to handle any complications that may arise.
The Surgery: What happens during the VASER procedure?
Our surgeons perform VASER liposuction while the patient is under general anaesthesia. First, they inject tumescent fluid mixed with anaesthetic into the target area. Next, they make a small incision and pass the VASER ultrasound probe into the skin. The VASER device gets hot, so they place protective ports in the skin to prevent burns before introducing the probe.
When the VASER is powered on, it vibrates at a high frequency to gently break down the fat cells. Once the fat reaches the consistency of melted butter, they turn off the VASER and insert a cannula, or thin hollow tube. The cannula is hooked up to a suction device, which sucks the fat out, leaving the treated area slimmer.
VASER Recovery
If you had VASER as a standalone procedure, you can return home from our surgical facility the same day. Most patients feel well enough to go home after spending an hour or so in the recovery room. Depending on the type of anaesthesia, someone may need to be present to drive you home.
You may feel groggy or tired after your procedure. Expect the treated area to be swollen and feel sore for several days to weeks. Any bruising should go away in approximately two to four weeks.
To ensure a successful recovery, follow our surgeon’s aftercare instructions. This may include avoiding certain medications, vitamins, and supplements that increase the risk of bleeding. It is a good idea to take short walks during the day to get your blood flowing. You may be asked to wear a compression garment for a few weeks after your treatment. Avoid nicotine products for at least six weeks before and after your procedure. You should also eat well and stay hydrated.
VASER Liposuction Results
Most patients enjoy a more toned physique with less fat and improved visibility of the underlying muscles after recovering from VASER. It takes several days, weeks, or months for the swelling to resolve depending on how much fat they removed. Our surgeons will follow up with you regularly to monitor your progress and ensure you are healing well.
Schedule Your Consultation for VASER Liposuction with a Surgeon at the Body Contouring Surgery Clinic Today
Call 1300588494 now to see if VASER liposuction is right for you. Under the care of our surgeons, you can rest assured knowing you are in the hands of highly trained VASER specialists. We have extensive knowledge of the latest liposuction techniques and understand how to minimise the risk of complications. All of our surgeons have relevant medical qualifications, professional memberships, and specialised experience in body contouring.
VASER Liposuction FAQs
Typically, patients who are within 7 kilograms of their ideal weight tend to have the best VASER before-and-after results. Liposuction is not a weight-loss tool; It is more like a spot treatment.
While the treated fat cells won’t come back, liposuction will not prevent future weight gain. If you have struggled with weight fluctuations in the past, you will need to commit to a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, to maintain your results.
As with all forms of liposuction, VASER leaves a small scar at the insertion points. Your surgeon will make one or more tiny incisions in the skin. The incisions are just large enough to pass the probe and liposuction cannula. Most of our patients at Body Contouring Surgery Clinic find the scars heal well and do not detract from their results.
It depends on how much fat was removed and whether you had other procedures, such as a tummy tuck or arm lift, at the same time. If you had liposuction in a small area such as the chin or neck, you should be able to drive two to four days later. For larger procedures, you may need to wait 10 to 14 days. Our surgeons will let you know when it is safe to get behind the wheel of your car.
Again, this depends on the extent of fat removal, the number of areas treated, and whether you had another body contouring procedure at the same time as liposuction. The less ‘work’ you had done, the sooner you can return to your job duties. If you have a physically demanding career or if you are an athlete, you may need additional time off.
New safety innovations have allowed our surgeons to safely perform liposuction as part of tummy tucks, arm lifts, thigh lifts, body lifts, and more. Adding VASER liposuction to your procedure may even reduce bleeding during the surgery due to the tumescent fluid.