Liposuction: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

VASER liposuction stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance liposuction, also known as ultrasound liposuction.

This basically means that this system utilizes sound waves in order to selectively target fatty tissue and liquefy it.

This high selectivity for fat cells allows the surgeon to more easily remove the fat while decreasing the amount of tearing of surrounding tissue.

A decrease in tearing of surrounding tissues allows for a reduction in bleeding, bruising and pain, resulting in better patient recovery.

LIKE other modes of liposuction the fat filled areas are filled with a TUMESCENT solution (containing a numbing medication and a blood vessel constricting medication) this not only puff the fat up making it easy to pass the steel suctioning tube through but assures more even results, less pain and less bleeding.

What makes VASER liposuction unique is that next an steel tube is passed through the fat whose tip emits a high frequency sound waves which literally shakes up and blows fat cells SPECIFICALLY. In this way, fat cells are turned into a liquid emulsion WITHOUT injuring nerves and blood vessels.

The surgeon then introduces the suction cannula and removes this fat fluid in a much easier less bruising fashion than other modes of liposuction.

The VASER is GREAT for shaping and contouring backs, man breast elimination and re-do liposuction cases. Vaser, laser, and regular liposuction all fundamentally do the same thing – perform a controlled aspiration of fat from the sub-dermal layer.

This allows the surgeon to sculpt the body’s profile, and hopefully give it a more aesthetic and pleasing look.

However, Vaser and Laser lipo are big improvements over regular liposuction because they both significantly aid in liquefying fat, which in turn makes it easier to remove from the connective tissue holding it in place.

Laser lipo does this by applying heat, whereas Vaser lipo does it using ultrasound. The ultrasound is tuned to a frequency that not only liquefies the fat cells, but also helps in breaking them away from the connective tissue.

In practice, Vaser lipo seems to remove fat more easily, reducing the time needed for the operation. It also seems to induce less trauma to the body, reducing the duration of post-operative swelling, bruising, and numbness.

Vaser Ultrasonic liposuctioning typically creates less bruising and swelling as compared to traditional liposuctioning. However, even with Vaser liposuction swelling is usually its worse during the first 5-14 days post-op. Then initial results can be seen at 8-12 weeks post-op.

Unique to Vaser are the long term results which are in part due to the collagen regeneration that may create skin tightening. Therefore final results are not achieved until 9-12 months. Surgeons ask that patients wear a compression garment 24 hours a day, except for showering, for the first 2 weeks.

Then it is recommended that they wear the garment 12 hours a day for an additional 2 weeks. Some patients enjoy the support afforded by the garments for up to 2 months post-op. After the first month swelling is typically worse towards the end of the day, especially in the legs.

Patients may exercise at 2 weeks post-op, increasing their activities as tolerated. In terms of clothing, patients current clothing may feel tight for the first 12 weeks. Surgeons recommend that patients do not purchase new clothes until at least 4 months post op as this is when they will note the improved contouring from the surgery with little of the residual swelling.

Swelling After VASER Liposuction

Swelling from the VASER liposuction can last up to several months. Although you’ll start seeing a significant decrease in swelling after 6 weeks. Your skin will continue to retract up to 5-6 months. Studies have shown that skin retraction plateaus after 5 months, but I have seen some patients to have skin retraction after one year.

Swelling after Vaser asssited liposuction can last up to 6 weeks or more. Post operative swelling occurs in all types of liposuction regardless of the type commpof equipment used. To help limit the post operative swelling time it is important to wear the compression garments and avoid excessive fuild or salt intake.

Recovery From Vaser Liposuction May Take Up To 6 Months

Recovery following liposuction varies from patient to patient. Patients undergoing this procedure can expect swelling, bruising, and pain. Some patients may experience areas of firmness and nodularity for a prolonged period of time. Significant improvement in swelling and pain can be seen in the first three weeks following surgery, with the majority of swelling gone in about three months.

Areas of firmness, nodularity, and hardness may persist for up to six months following surgery. The firmness and nodularity that is occasionally seen with liposuction usually responds to massage. In some cases, contour irregularly may persist after the firmness has resolved.

In these situations, residual fat may be present and additional liposuction may be necessary. In most cases, massage and the passage of time will correct residual areas of firmness and nodularity. Rarely, additional liposuction may be necessary.

After Liposuction, it is not unusual for patients to experience some hardness, lumpiness, and asymmetry in the treated areas. In most cases, the problems are temporary and resolve within six months.

Problems that may lead to prolonged hardness or lumpiness would include hematoma (a collection of blood which is slower to resolve than swelling within the fat), or seroma (an accumulation of fluid from resolving hematoma or other trapped fluid).

During the initial healing process after Liposuction, patients are encouraged to wear compression garments and to aggressively massage the treated areas, in order to minimize fluid accumulation and to encourage lymphatic drainage. External Ultrasound treatments may also be effective in promoting resolution of localized lumpiness.

After 3-4 months, it should become apparent what is causing the prolonged healing. Residual fat deposits may require a return to the O. R. for a touch-up procedure, but I generally would not do this until at least 6 months has passed, the longer the better.

If you’re lumpy and don’t like it, ask your surgeon if your recovery is on track.

Liposuction recovery happens in phases

Recovery from Liposuction happens in phases. The first phase is the immediate post-surgery where you need pain control and are limited in activity. With liposuction that is generally about 1-2days. After that, you can typically drive and do your daily activities.

Next step is for the majority of your swelling and bruising to resolve. For vaser liposuction, that is about 2-3 weeks. That is when you can start light exercise as approved by your surgeon. At 6 weeks, you can return to all activities.

It will take about 6 months for the skin to shrink and for all the swelling to resolve, but that is not going to be noticeable as much as what happens in the first few weeks.

Surgical and non surgical options to improve liposuction results

The swelling and bruising resulting from vaser liposuction usually take 8-12 weeks. Residual bumps following Liposuction are residual fat pockets, fat necrosis or uneven Liposuction. A revision might be required. In many cases it could be a small revision under local anesthesia.

It is hard, however, to determine this without examining you. Some non-surgical options like Velashape could be helpful in some cases as well.

Typically after liposuction there can be a 2-3 month period of numbness, swelling, and contour irregularity. My patients typically wear a compression garment during this whole time. I also believe in post-liposuction massage to “iron out” small irregularities due to swelling or small lipo cannula marks.

If after six months, you are still lumpy, it is most likely one of the above, or an asymmetry with some fat still left irregularly in place.

If some fat got left behind, a quick revision liposuction can even things out. A seroma or hematoma would require a surgical correction that can leave significant scars. (Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS, Denver Plastic Surgeon)

Each recovery is unique but most patients may take up to six months to see final liposuction results. However you will notice your slimmer, contoured shape start to become visible within 2-3 months. Wearing a compression garment if directed by your surgeon, will help reduce swelling and smooth any bumps or contour irregularities that may develop. (Morgan E. Norris, III, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

The healing process after liposuction of the lower body can last a while, which can be a source of frustration for some patients. Lumpiness is not uncommon, but it should be fading by this point.

I’d give your body another month to heal fully. (Arthur M. Cambeiro, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)