The main problem with traditional liposuction is that it is a very invasive. It takes place beneath the surface of the skin so you don’t get to see the damage, but anyone that has had this form of liposuction knows the soreness and bruising that follow traditional liposuction. There is a milder form of liposuction that is as effective and potentially kinder to the body.
What is VASER Liposuction?
VASER is an acronym that stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Essentially VASER liposuction combines ultrasound energy and a gentle form of suction to liquefy and remove pockets of fat from the body.
The ultrasound energy is sound outside the range of human hearing, but it is also a way to deliver thousands of small, powerful energy waves. These ultrasonic waves strike the cell membranes of fat cells and break them open. The broken fat cell membranes release their contents, specifically oily, liquefied fat.
VASER Liposuction Procedure
Once the fat is liquefied by ultrasound energy, VASER liposuction employs a patented suction device called VentX. In contrast to traditional liposuction which avulses (rips) the fat cells out in chunks, the VentX aspiration system just removes emulsified fluids. The intact cells, blood vessels, muscle, and connective tissues are not disrupted by the VentX suction. Therefore there is less bruising and soreness after VASER liposuction than with other forms of liposuction.
Still having trouble visualizing VASER liposuction? Consider eating a bowl of gelatin (like Jell-O) through a straw.
Sure you could suck up most of the gelatin with the straw if you applied enough suction, but it would be difficult. This is what occurs in traditional liposuction. Now imagine that you used a hand mixer or stick mixer to break apart the gelatin first. It would be considerably easier and faster to use the straw after the gelatin was mostly liquefied. This is the main advantage of VASER liposuction. The ultrasound is sort of like a stick mixer for fat cells, breaking them apart and liquefying them.
Because the fat is liquefied by ultrasound energy and the probes are smaller, the VASER liposuction technique can be used to perform more subtle procedures and in more delicate areas of the body.
For example, people that want a “six pack” definition of their abdominal muscles may choose to have VASER liposuction to deeply sculpt between natural folds in the muscle. Likewise, VASER liposuction could be used on the chin, neck and face since the fat is liquefied first, which will reduce dimpling under this relatively thin skin.
Who Is a Good Candidate for VASER Liposuction?
VASER liposuction is especially beneficial for individuals who are near their ideal body weight but struggle with stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. Areas commonly treated include the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, arms, neck, and even the knees.
This procedure is not intended for significant weight loss but for body contouring and precision fat removal, making it a top choice for people seeking subtle definition, such as athletic individuals desiring hi-definition liposuction results.
It’s also a preferred method for patients who previously underwent liposuction and want to refine or correct uneven areas.
Recovery
One claim made by the company that manufactures VASER liposuction is that the ultrasound energy only disrupts fat cells and leaves other tissues intact. They argue that this leads to better skin retraction after VASER liposuction than with other forms.
This remains to be seen, but the concept is intriguing. It is conceivable that connective tissue and blood vessels are heartier than fat tissue and more resistant to ultrasound energy. If so, the concept of faster skin retraction and healing after VASER liposuction is reasonable.
VASER Liposuction vs. CoolSculpting: What’s the Difference?
Patients often compare VASER liposuction vs. CoolSculpting when researching non-invasive fat reduction techniques. While CoolSculpting freezes fat cells for the body to eliminate naturally over several weeks, VASER liposuction provides more immediate and dramatic results.
VASER also allows for greater precision in sculpting, making it ideal for defining muscle contours. Unlike CoolSculpting, which is non-surgical, VASER does involve a small incision, but the downtime is still minimal compared to traditional liposuction. For those seeking a more sculpted, defined look, VASER may be the better option.
Risks of VASER Liposuction
The main complication of VASER liposuction is overheating the tissues under the skin. This is greatly minimized by excellent surgical technique, use of the tumescent technique, and choosing newer, smaller VASER liposuction probes.
These probes disperse the ultrasound energy in all directions and, while still powerful, tend to spread rather than concentrate the ultrasonic sound waves.
Therefore VASER liposuction is likely safer than first and second generation ultrasound-assisted liposuction devices. Despite these advances it is always prudent to choose a cosmetic plastic surgeon that has extensive experience using VASER liposuction in order to achieve the best results.
Long-Term Results and Maintenance
One of the key benefits of VASER liposuction is that the fat cells removed during the procedure are permanently gone. However, maintaining results requires a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Weight gain after the procedure can still occur, but new fat is likely to distribute more evenly across the body. Many patients choose to pair VASER liposuction with skin tightening treatments or body toning procedures to maximize their aesthetic outcome.
Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you determine a long-term care plan tailored to your unique body goals.