VASER technology supplements traditional liposuction techniques. VASER liposuction technology helps serve to enhance the results of traditional liposuction when indicated. When traditional liposuction is performed there is a higher risk of residual loose skin. Although there is always some natural skin retraction after traditional liposuction, this is often not enough to achieve the patients’ desired result with ultimate skin tightening – especially for difficult areas such as the “bra fat”, arms, inner thighs, flanks (or “love handles”) and under the chin area. For these specific areas VASER and laser liposuction can be very useful adjuncts to traditional liposuction for enhanced skin tightening.

Although VASER Liposuction sounds like Laser Liposuction, the two technologies are very different. LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation” and uses light energy to burn and destroy fat cells. VASER stands for “Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance” and uses high-frequency ultrasound to break up scar tissue and connections between fat cells and generate heat energy to tighten the skin. The skin tightening results from the delivery of the VASER energy under the skin before the liposuction, which triggers collagen remodeling, causing the skin to continue to tighten 4 to 6 months after the procedure. At lower settings, VASER does not destroy fat cells, thereby making VASER very useful for fat transfer. VASER liposuction involves an additional step performed prior to the actual liposuction, wherein the high frequency ultrasound energy (VASER) is used to pretreat the areas of fat to be removed.

It is extremely important for your cosmetic surgeon to have extensive experience with laser and VASER technologies, as well as years of experience performing minimally invasive liposuction using micro- cannulas to minimize scarring.

VASER liposuction is a powerful tool to enhance the results for redo- liposuction, liposuction for men, harvest liposuction for fat transfer and when additional skin tightening is desired for any areas treated with liposuction. Swelling usually resolves 6-8 weeks after surgery.

Am I a good candidate?

VASER Liposuction may be used in cases where there is good skin elasticity and where there is only localized excess abdominal fat with no stretched muscles from pregnancy (diastasis recti). Usually used to remove additional unwanted fat deposits and to improve the overall contours of the waistline, hips, and thighs.

Possible Risks:

Infection, hematoma, seroma, scarring, visceral puncture, pneumothorax, death, rippling, wrinkling, loss of skin sensation, irregularities, burns, and changes of skin color

Recovery & Results

All liposuction is performed with tumescent local anesthesia. Multiple areas of VASER liposuction are usually performed under general anesthesia with adjunctive local and tumescent anesthesia. Patients usually awaken from the anesthesia with minimal nausea or pain. Discomfort is usually well controlled with oral pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. You will need someone to drive you to and from the hospital home and highly recommended for adult to stay with you through the first night following your surgery

A mild amount of swelling and bruising is normal after surgery. Most surgeons will request for you to wear a comfortably fitting compression garment that provides support and helps to minimize swelling. This garment should be used full time for 3-6 weeks and should remove it only when showering.

You will be restricted to light activities for the first 7 to 10 days after surgery while your body heals. The speed of recovery depends on your physical condition prior to surgery. Straining, bending, and lifting must be avoided, since these activities might cause increased swelling. Allow at least 1 to 2 weeks to recuperate before returning to non-strenuous work; sexual activity should be avoided for at least two weeks. Most patients may resume light to moderate exercise 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. It may take several weeks (6-12 weeks) to a year for all of the swelling to subside. You may experience prolonged soreness or numbness over portions of your surgical areas, which may persist for several months but will ultimately resolve.