Do you dream of fitting into a pair of jeans you wore decades ago? Would you love to go down a dress size or two? A breakthrough procedure called Vaser liposuction could be the solution you've been looking for. The treatment uses ultrasound technology to get rid of stubborn fat deposits without surgery. Continue reading to learn more about this cutting-edge body contouring treatment. Find out what makes Vaser superior to traditional liposuction and other forms of body contouring.
What is Vaser?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which a plastic surgeon uses different techniques to remove excess fat. Vaser technology is a type of ultrasonic liposuction. It is an advanced, minimally invasive liposuction technique that has several advantages over other body sculpting treatments such as traditional liposuction and tummy tuck surgery.
Vaser lipo utilizes ultrasound waves (sound energy) to break up subcutaneous fat in the target area. The broken down fat cells are then suctioned out through a cannula (a small hollow tube). Liposuction Vaser can be used to eliminate fat in common problem areas such as the tummy, thighs, buttocks, hips, and upper arms. It can also be used in more delicate areas such as the neck and chin.
As noted, Vaser is a type of ultrasound assisted liposuction. Vaser stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Simply put, it means the system performs amplification of ultrasound waves and uses them to eliminate small fat deposits.
How does Vaser liposuction work on fat deposits?
The Vaser ultrasound probe generates precisely controlled heat. The heat melts and liquefies the fat cells. A small cannula is then used to remove the adipose tissue from the area permanently.
In contrast, conventional liposuction involves breaking up the fatty tissue through the back and forth movement of the cannula. This method results in more trauma to the surrounding tissues, leading to a longer recovery time. Therefore, Vaser liposuction is a gentler treatment. There is less blood loss, less bruising, less swelling, and less pain. The risk of surgical complications is lower, and recovery is faster after Vaser liposuction.
Targeted areas for treatment of fat cells
Some of the common areas where many patients undergo Vaser include the chin, neck, arms, chest, upper back, bra roll, flanks (waistline), abdomen, thighs, hips, and buttocks.
Is Vaser liposuction permanent?
The fatty tissue removed during a Vaser treatment is gone forever and will not come back. However, it is essential that you follow a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results of your treatment. If you fail to make lifestyle changes and do not eat a balanced diet or do regular exercise, the fatty tissue can reaccumulate in the treated areas. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is key to maintaining your Vaser results.
It is worth noting that Vaser is not a weight loss tool. It is a body contouring procedure that is performed to eliminate excess fat from spot areas. You may lose weight depending on how much fat is removed, but weight loss should not be the goal of the treatment. Also worth noting is the fact that Vaser does not have any effect on visceral fat (the deep adipose tissue present around the organs in your abdomen).
Advantages of Vaser over traditional liposuction
Deep and superficial fat removal
Traditional methods of liposuction only remove deep subcutaneous fat. Vaser liposuction is a more comprehensive treatment and removes fat from both the deep and superficial layers.
Skin tightening
Besides removing subcutaneous fat, Vaser liposuction also tightens the skin. This is an added benefit over traditional lipo.
Reduced cellulite
Vaser liposuction uses vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. Meaning, heat is emitted from the small probe which contracts the fibrous bands in the skin. This leads to a reduction in skin sagging and dimpling along with the fat removal. Vaser can, therefore, help minimize cellulite formation and irregular contours after liposuction.
Smoother contours
Traditional lipo often gives uneven or bumpy results. The results of Vaser liposuction are smoother because the fat cells are liquefied before they are suctioned out. The results of the body contouring can be enhanced even more by wearing a compression garment during the recovery period.
Fat transfer or fat grafting
Traditional lipo causes a significant amount of trauma to the fatty tissue and blood vessels in the target area. As a result, the harvested fat is useless. Liposuction with Vaser preserves healthy fat instead of destroying it. The fat can be grafted to fill fine lines and wrinkles in the face or contour the breasts or buttocks for a fuller and smoother appearance. The fat harvesting and fat transfer can be performed with a single procedure.
Fibrous tissue removal
Men in general tend to have more fibrous tissue which can be difficult to break up with traditional liposuction. Women too have fibrous tissue in areas such as the bra roll and love handles. This type of tissue can be more effectively treated with Vaser lipo.
High definition muscles
A Vaser lipo procedure is a more precise and controlled method of removing fat. It can, therefore, be used to give definition to muscles. As noted, Vaser leads to skin tightening. This means you can get better muscle definition with Vaser, for example, six pack abs, with a very natural look.
Improved insulin sensitivity
Studies in actual patients have shown that Vaser lipo can improve insulin sensitivity and diabetes control. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body. People with diabetes are often insulin-resistant. Increased insulin sensitivity means the cells in the body become more responsive to the hormone.
Am I a candidate for Vaser?
The ideal candidate for Vaser is someone who is at or near a healthy body weight and wants to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise.
You are a good candidate for Vaser if you are in good general health and are not overweight or obese. You are also a good candidate if you do not have excess saggy skin after massive weight loss.
Preparing for Vaser
There is no special preparation required before your Vaser procedure. You should tell your surgeon about all your current medications and medication allergies at the time of your consultation. Some medicines, such as blood thinners, may need to be temporarily stopped for a few days before and after the fatty tissue removal because they can increase the risk of bleeding.
What happens in a Vaser lipo treatment session?
Vaser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure and is performed under local anesthesia. This means you will be awake during the procedure. General anesthesia may be recommended if the plan is to remove fat from larger areas. The entire process can take one or more hours, depending on the size of the treatment area.
At the start of the procedure, plastic surgeons infiltrate the target area with a tumescent solution containing a local anesthetic and saline. The solution makes it easier to break up and suction the fat deposits.
The Vaser liposuction probe is then applied and the vibrations from the ultrasound energy loosen up the fat cells and liquefy them. The liquefied adipose tissue is removed with minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.
How painful is Vaser lipo?
During Vaser lipo, ultrasound energy is used to break up adipose tissue. There is no movement of the cannula needed. This means there is less trauma compared to traditional liposuction, and therefore, less pain.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. There may be some discomfort in the area for a few weeks afterward. You should plan to take it easy for a day or two and avoid strenuous activities for at least 2 weeks. The recovery period after Vaser liposuction is considerably shorter compared to traditional liposuction.
What to expect after Vaser liposuction?
You will have some bruising and swelling in the area for a few days to weeks. This means you will not be able to see the results right away. The results of your Vaser treatment will become evident once the area heals and the swelling goes down. Wearing the compression garment as directed for several weeks will help reduce the swelling. The final results will be evident 3-6 months after the procedure once your body settles into its new form.
Are there any risks or side effects?
In general, Vaser is a safe procedure with a low risk of serious complications. The most common side effects are bruising, swelling, and pain at the treatment site. These symptoms can persist for several days to weeks. Rarely, there may be scarring, pigmentation, skin irregularities, or asymmetry at the liposuction site.
How much does Vaser liposuction cost?
A Vaser lipo procedure is an elective cosmetic surgery and is not covered by health insurance. The cost varies depending on the target area. On average, you can expect to pay around $6,500. In comparison, the average cost of conventional liposuction is around $3,500. When you receive a quote from your plastic surgeon, make sure that it includes anesthesia costs. Also factor in that you will likely need to take some time off work to recover from the procedure.
Considering Vaser liposuction? Here's how to find a provider
Vaser liposuction has several advantages over more traditional methods of fat removal by liposuction. It is a more controlled and gentler cosmetic treatment. However, Vaser requires a skilled and experienced provider to do it right and give you the best results.
The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced plastic surgeons in your area. You can connect with leading plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery providers, schedule virtual consultations, upload pictures, and have suggestions sent directly to you. Find out more about Vaser liposuction. Download the MeTime app today!
