If you are interested in removing stubborn areas of fat effectively with a limited recovery time, VASER® liposuction may be for you.
What is VASER® Liposuction?
VASER® is Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Ultrasound energy waves pass through the tissue, targeting the fat for removal. This causes less damage to the surrounding tissues, which means less bleeding and less recovery time. Selective targeting of the fat allows for better sculpting and contouring to improve definition in treated areas. Patients can be expected to return to normal activities in 3 to 4 weeks.
Although the VASER® is a powerful tool for removing fat, it is gentle enough to preserve the fat that is removed. This can be transferred to other areas of the face and body for enhancement, with excellent survival of the transferred fat.
The VASER® has been shown to have a powerful effect on tightening the skin after VASER® liposuction when compared to traditional techniques. As we age, the skin loses its elasticity. Addressing this problem helps to expand the possibilities for VASER® liposuction and may help avoid larger, more invasive operations in selected patients.
Who is a candidate for VASER® liposuction?
As with more traditional methods, the best candidates are generally healthy, within a normal weight range and who have already tried dieting and exercise without success. Also, patients should be realistic about what can be accomplished. This is not a weight loss method. Patients with unreasonable concerns or unrealistic expectations are not good candidates.
Diet and exercise are key to a healthy lifestyle, but even the most disciplined men and women find themselves frustrated with stubborn pockets of fat that accumulate on the buttocks, arms, back and waistline. When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough, VASER® liposuction can help you to achieve the refined body contours you deserve.
Dr. Ross has a genuine understanding of men and woman’s bodies and ideal aesthetic proportions, which he carefully takes into consideration during her surgical planning. Through thoughtful consultations with his patients, Dr. Ross makes it a priority to understand each patient’s specific goals and desires for VASER® liposuction.
Is VASER® Liposuction Right for Me?
VASER® Liposuction, also known as liposculpture or lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that breaks up fat deposits under the skin and removes it through a cannula—a thin, hollow tube. VASER® Liposuction is safe and effective for removing fat from the neck and face, flanks, hips, thighs, knees, arms, chest, abdomen and back. Because VASER® liposuction removes fat cells from the body, results are considered permanent. Most patients in good physical health are candidates for this procedure.
VASER® Liposuction With Dr. William Ross
During your consultation, Dr. Ross will evaluate your anatomy, discuss your concerns and thoughtfully design a unique surgical plan that will safely and effectively meet your VASER® liposuction goals. In some cases, Dr. Ross may recommend a complementary procedure to address other issues or concerns that VASER® liposuction alone cannot correct, for example a tummy tuck or thigh lift.
VASER® Liposuction generally results in scars that are so fine they are very difficult to notice once fully healed. This procedure may be performed on many areas, including the abdomen, hips, flanks, back, thighs, legs, knees, arms, chest and more.
Abdomen
In both men and women, the abdomen is typically the first area of the body in which fat accumulates, whether it is a result of past pregnancies, aging, genetics or weight gain. VASER® Liposuction can be an effective, minimally invasive alternative to a tummy tuck for some patients. VASER® Liposuction can also be performed on the upper and/or lower abdomen to produce a more contoured and athletic appearance that highlights the underlying muscles.
Flanks
The flanks, or love handles, are frequently a source of frustration and make men and women look heavier than they really are. When excess fat on the flanks doesn’t respond to exercise and a healthy diet, VASER® liposuction can effectively eliminate these bulges to create a sleeker silhouette and clothing that drapes more attractively on the body.
Back
Both men and women can accumulate fat on the back. Dr. Ross performs VASER® liposuction to target different areas of the back, including where the bra straps rest, just above the hips, on the lower back above the buttocks, directly below the neck and near the armpits.
Thighs
VASER® Liposuction can be an effective way to eliminate stubborn fat on the thighs for patients who have good skin elasticity and do not need a lift. This procedure can reduce fat on the inner and/or outer thighs. It is very important to choose a VASER® liposuction specialist like Dr. Ross to treat the thighs, as the inner thighs have thin skin and can develop irregularities if the procedure is not performed skillfully.
Arms
Some patients may see substantial benefit from VASER® liposuction of the arms as an alternative to an arm lift. This option is best for patients with mild to moderate excess skin and good skin elasticity.
The Procedure
VASER® Liposuction is an outpatient procedure usually performed under general anesthesia. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Ross will mark the areas of your body to be treated. During the procedure, the treatment area will be numbed using tumescent (local) anesthesia, which maximizes both your safety and comfort. During the VASER® liposuction procedure, Dr. Ross will insert a small, hollow tube, or cannula, through very small incisions in the treatment area and manually move the cannulas in a fanning motion to break up the fat so it may be suctioned out. Once surgery is completed, Dr. Ross’s team will place you in a compression garment to help reduce swelling and maintain the new body contours while the tissues heal.
Time in surgery takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on treatment area(s) and amount of fat that needs to be removed. Depending on the number of areas treated, patients feel some discomfort for the first two to three days, which is largely controlled with oral pain medication. Some swelling and bruising also can be expected following the procedure. This will usually peak on the second or third day and dissipate over the next two to four weeks weeks. In the weeks after surgery, Dr. Ross will instruct patients to wear their compression garment continuously for 2 weeks. Light exercise can be resumed at 10-14 days after surgery. You can expect to return to work within a few days.
Related Procedures: Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini-Abdominoplasty), Brachioplasty (Arm Lift), Thigh Lift, Mommy Makeover, Body Contouring After Weight Loss, Labiaplasty, Brazilian Butt Lift
VASER® Liposuction FAQs
Because VASER® liposuction removes fat cells from the body, results are considered permanent. However, weight gain is still possible, as the remaining fat cells can grow larger. Gaining an excessive amount of weight after VASER® liposuction can result in displacement of weight gain to other parts of the body.
VASER® Liposuction may be performed on many areas of the body, including the abdomen, hips, flanks, back, thighs, legs, knees, arms, chest, face and neck.
Most patients have a recovery period of 1 to 2 weeks, although it will depend on whether other procedures were performed at the same time and which areas were treated. Patients will wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and maintain the new body contours while the tissue heals. Dr. Ross prefers these garments to be worn continuously for the first 2 weeks after surgery. Swelling peaks within 2 to 3 days after the procedure and then begins to dissipate. Mild swelling may persist for several weeks after surgery, due to the tumescent fluid used during surgery as well as the bodies response to surgery.
After one to two months, the body has had time to heal and the swelling has improved significantly. By this time, most patients have returned to their usual activities and have noticed a significant change to the treated areas. However, subtle postoperative swelling and continued healing will delay realization of the final result for up to a year.
*All patients are unique and individual liposuction results may vary from patient to patient.