Despite the success of the traditional, time-proven technique of Tumescent Liposuction – which many Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons still regard as the ‘gold standard’ of all liposuction techniques – regular attempts to modify or replace this technique of fat removal continue to appear on the market.
One such addition that has appeared on the Australian market is Vaser Liposuction.
‘Vaser’ is a catchy term because it sounds like ‘laser’ but in actual fact, Vaser technology has nothing to do with lasers.
VASER is actually an acronym for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance.
Vaser Liposuction utilises a fine probe that emits ultrasound energy at its tip to ‘melt’ the fat prior to its subsequent removal by a hollow tube known as a ‘cannula’.
The first Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction techniques used in the 1980’s and 1990’s caused many instances of tissue damage, skin necrosis, and burns due to excessive amounts of ultrasound energy emitted at the tip. Vaser Liposuction, the third generation of ultrasound-emitting technology, has reduced the risks of those earlier complications by developing probes that emit pulsed ultrasound energy instead of continuous energy, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated at the tip of the probe.
In Vaser Liposuction, a Tumescent Solution is first introduced into the fat deposit to be removed. This Tumescent Solution contains both a Local Anaesthetic and Adrenalin, the latter serving to first constrict the area’s blood vessels and so minimise blood loss when it comes to the removal of the fat.
Next, the Vaser’s ultrasound-emitting probe is introduced into the fat through a tiny skin incision and repeatedly moved back and forth through the fatty deposit. The ultrasound energy emitted by the tip of the Vaser probe ‘melts’ the fat cells and emulsifies (liquefies) them.
When the surgeon feels that enough of the targeted fat has been liquefied, he/she removes the Vaser probe and inserts an Aspiration Cannula – a hollow metal tube – to remove by mechanical suction the emulsified fat.
Vaser High Definition Liposuction is an extension of the Standard Vaser Liposuction technique whereby fat is removed from around and on top of the underlying muscles to enhance their visibility. This variety of Vaser Liposuction aims to deliver a more toned and athletic appearance by highlighting the underlying muscles. However, this technique is not for everyone and the best candidates for ‘Vaser High Def’ are those with thick skin, good skin elasticity, and muscles that can be felt under the skin when they are contracted. One example of such an application would be someone who wants to create a ‘six-pack’ over their ‘abs’.
‘Vaser High Def’ Liposuction is an advanced technique that requires a long learning curve on the part of the Surgeon and for this reason, should only be performed by those Surgeons skilled and confident in its use.
Basically, any deposit of excess fat on the body can be removed with the following being the most commonly requested areas:
In Males:
In Females:
No, because after the excessive fat cells responsible for the disproportionate deposit have been removed, the remaining fat cells left behind do not have the ability to multiply and replace those removed. Therefore, if you maintain your weight after liposuction, you will keep your new shape!
Depending on the amount of liposuction to be done, Vaser Liposuction can be performed either under Twilight Sedation or General Anaesthesia.
In either case, in the best interests of patient comfort and safety, all our Vaser Liposuction procedures are performed in an accredited Hospital with a Specialist Anaesthetist in constant attendance.
At the end of the procedure, the small entry incisions are sutured, Fixomull Tape is applied and over that a Compression Garment is fitted. This garment needs to be worn for 6 weeks.
You will then be taken to Recovery and after 1-1½ hours in Recovery, you will be allowed to return home. However, you cannot go home alone. You must be escorted home by a responsible adult and also have someone at home with you for the first 24 hours.
Sutures are removed after 7 days.
These are questions anyone considering liposuction would naturally ask but the responses from any number of Liposuction Surgeons would differ. As a clinic that has been performing liposuction for over 30 years, we believe that far more important than the type of liposuction is the experience, skill, and artistry of the Surgeon – knowing just how much to take out but equally as important, how much fat to leave behind!
Our contentions are supported by the opinions of the following two eminent Plastic Surgeons in the USA:
Reported Pros:
Reported Cons:
At your Initial Consultation, our Surgeon will assess each of your areas of concern and advise whether Vaser Liposuction or traditional Tumescent Liposuction would be the more appropriate technique.
Whichever technique is finally chosen, the common features of both techniques are:
Liposuction, because it is a relatively safe and effective body re-shaping procedure, is becoming increasingly popular. As a result, more and more doctors are entering the field with the result that operating standards, doctor-training and doctor-experience vary so much that patient outcomes can end up less than ideal.
Therefore, it is important that all patients considering liposuction know what to look for when choosing a Liposuction Surgeon.
Start by seeking straightforward answers to the following questions:
In the best interests of patient comfort and safety, we perform all liposuction procedures in an accredited hospital under General Anaesthesia or Local Anaesthesia with IV Sedation.
If you are looking to save money by having liposuction in a non-hospital setting (i.e. in a doctor’s unlicensed premises under Local Anaesthesia), bear in mind that:
Irrespective of where it is to be done and regardless of whatever assurances you may be given that an Anaesthetist is not required, insist on having one for your comfort and safety.
Some clinics may tell you that they never use an Anaesthetist because they “have never had any problem” – and that may well be true – but equally they can never guarantee that a serious problem won’t arise when YOU have it done.
Then, there are other clinics that cleverly IMPLY to prospective patients that they will have an Anaesthetist present by including on their quotation a cost for “Anaesthetic”. THE WORD ‘ANAESTHETIC’ DOES NOT MEAN AN ‘ANAESTHETIST’ AND WHEN YOU ARRIVE, YOU MOST LIKELY WILL FIND THAT THERE IS NO SPECIALIST ANAESTHETIST PRESENT, AND THE “ANAESTHETIC” YOU’VE PAID FOR REFERS TO A CONCOCTION OF INTRAVENOUS MEDICATIONS ADMINISTERED BY ANYBODY BUT AN ANAESTHETIST!
If there is no Specialist Anaesthetist present and you have an unexpected adverse event or a reaction to the injected medications, who in that room will have an Anaesthetist’s skills to treat your emergency and keep you alive? The simple but frightening answer is NOBODY!
So, always play it safe and always insist on having a Specialist Anaesthetist present. If you can’t get that guarantee, GO ELSEWHERE!
At Sydney Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic, patient safety and comfort are always our first considerations, and accordingly, we always perform our procedures in a Hospital with a Specialist Anaesthetist in constant attendance.
Put simply, anyone can robotically remove fat. That alone, however, does not guarantee you a nice result. Fat removal has to be performed artistically with an awareness of ideal body contours. How much fat needs to be removed and how much should be left behind is essential for delivering the right body shape and curves. This ability only comes with years of liposuction experience and an artistic eye!
Another gimmicky term is ‘Lipo-shaving’. In truth, they are all the same liposuction procedure! Some entrepreneurial clinics use such fancy marketing terms to suggest that they are using a different, newer or superior technique of liposuction. However, superior results depend on the surgeon’s expertise and artistic ability, not on what you call the procedure!
Your own safety, comfort, and final results depend on your making the right choice. Experienced doctors often charge more for their services because of their experience and skill. A cheap quotation could reflect the lack of an Anaesthetist, no hospital, or less liposuction experience – scenarios that could compromise your safety or leave you permanently disfigured.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure and as such, it warrants a careful physical assessment and detailed consultation in person by the doctor who’ll be doing your procedure, not by a Nurse or other Sales Consultant. Moreover, experienced doctors, like other professionals, charge for their time in giving you their professional opinion and expert advice. So, question the likely quality of any consultation that is going to be ‘free’.
With very few exceptions, liposuction procedures are NOT eligible for Medicare rebates. To do so, is fraudulent.
