Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat deposits from under your skin. VASER liposuction refers to a type of liposuction that breaks apart fat cells and loosens them from your deeper tissues so that fat can more effectively be removed during the treatment.
VASER is an acronym for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. This ultrasound technology uses powerful waves to disrupt the bonds between fat cells.
VASER liposuction is considered a more controlled and gentle kind of cosmetic procedure, and it requires a skilled and experienced provider to do it right.
You may be a candidate for liposuction if you’re a healthy person who doesn’t smoke or have a history of bleeding conditions.
Liposuction isn’t considered a weight loss tool. People who have the best results with VASER liposuction, or any type of liposuction, are already within 15 pounds of their ideal weight. This procedure is for people who are trying to spot-treat fat deposits and reveal muscle tone underneath.
Liposuction continues to be incredibly popular, with more than 250,000 procedures performed in the United States during 2018.
All types of liposuction operate on the same basic premise. Fat deposits are broken apart and then removed from your body using anesthesia, saline solution, and cannulas to suction out the fat from under your skin.
Water pressure and lasers are two ways that the fat deposits can be broken apart before the suction procedure. Pulsing ultrasound waves are another way. VASER liposuction is one type of ultrasonic liposuction.
All these energy sources generate heat that helps break apart the fat cells for easier removal and minimally tighten the skin in the area that’s treated.
VASER liposuction is unique in that it allows your provider to be both gentle and extremely precise in the way that fat is removed. It disrupts the connection between your fatty tissue and the muscles underneath without hurting your underlying healthy tissue. This gives VASER liposuction a good reputation for body sculpting.
Studies show that liposuction also changes the way that your metabolism works to get rid of fat. There’s a lot that researchers are still working to understand about this.
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During VASER liposuction, you’ll likely be put under general anesthesia or a form of anesthesia called conscious sedation. A saline solution or tumescent fluid mixed with an anesthetic will be injected into the targeted area. Then, ultrasound probes will be inserted into the skin through a small incision to break up the fatty tissue.
The fatty tissue will gently start to break apart, and a cannula will be used to vacuum out the fatty tissue and most of the fluid through the same port.
Some of the fluid will be left in your body to numb post-procedural pain. Your body will absorb it over the following days.
VASER liposuction can target any of the following areas:
- arms
- chest
- chin and neck
- upper back
- waistline and stomach
- hips and thighs
- buttocks
VASER liposuction is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. That means that it won’t be covered by your insurance. During your initial consultation, your provider can give you a breakdown of the expected cost.
Make sure to ask about any additional costs, such as anesthesia, that you’ll be expected to pay for out of pocket.
Self-reported costs on RealSelf.com suggest the average cost of VASER liposuction to be $6,500, though it depends on how many areas of your body you want to target. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2018 annual report, liposuction costs on average $3,500.
As you calculate the cost of VASER liposuction, you may also need to factor in your recovery time. Liposuction recovery isn’t instantaneous.
You may be able to do the physical tasks of getting to and sitting at a sedentary office job as early as the day after liposuction, but that doesn’t mean it’s advisable. You’ll probably be in some pain and not at your most alert.
You may also want to consider undergoing VASER liposuction on a Friday morning so that you can rest at home over the weekend. If you have a physically demanding job, plan to take a few days off and get clearance from your doctor before returning to work.
Getting plenty of rest after this procedure is important for preventing complications, such as a post-operative infection.
VASER liposuction is a low-risk procedure. But that doesn’t mean there’s no risk of side effects.
- bruising and bleeding in the days after the procedure
- pain and aching at the site of liposuction
- eventual scarring after healing from liposuction
- hyperpigmentation, asymmetry, or skin irregularities
- persistent swelling days or weeks after the procedure
- loose skin that doesn’t fuller adhere to your new body shape
In the days following the procedure, it’s important to watch out for signs of infection. Seek emergency care if you begin to experience any of the following after VASER liposuction:
- green or yellow discharge
- fever
- nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
- shortness of breath
- fatigue or exhaustion
To prepare for your appointment, make sure your doctor is aware of any medications that you’re taking. Avoid taking blood-thinning medication, such as ibuprofen, in the 2 weeks before a liposuction procedure.
Also, avoid drinking alcohol the night before the procedure. Your doctor may give you additional instructions to prepare for VASER liposuction. Make sure you follow these instructions carefully.
After VASER liposuction, your body might look a little bruised and swollen in the areas that were targeted. You probably won’t be able to see results right away because your body needs time to heal.
You’ll be given sterilized cotton pads to dress the affected area, as it’ll be weeping fluid in the next 24 to 48 hours. You may need to drink extra fluids to flush the anesthesia from your body. You’ll also need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help reduce the swelling.
After about 3 to 6 months, you’ll start to see the results more clearly as your body settles into its modified form. For some people, it may take a couple more months to see results.
Results from VASER liposuction can be permanent. But the way your body looks after recovery is partially up to you. After getting liposuction, you’ll need to keep up your diet and exercise routine so that your body doesn’t regain the fat deposits that were removed.
Also, keep in mind that there’s no way to eliminate all the visible signs of aging. Weight fluctuations, inflammation, and simple gravity can all change the way your results look over time.
Here are some examples of what you can expect from VASER liposuction.
VASER liposuction is a similar procedure to traditional liposuction, though there are some important differences. The biggest difference is that VASER liposuction allows for more precision in the fat removal process. It isn’t a tool to remove large fat deposits.
The best VASER liposuction results involve a contouring approach, which involves removing small fat deposits to reveal muscle tone underneath. VASER liposuction won’t redefine your entire physique, but it can refine your figure in small, impactful ways.
Some people also claim that VASER technology makes recovery from liposuction less painful and that healing happens faster.
If you’re considering VASER liposuction, you’ll need to find a trained and licensed provider. Make sure to ask lots of questions about their experience with VASER liposuction, including how many years they’ve done this specific procedure.
You should also ask for before and after photos from your provider before you book an appointment.
You can start your search by using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ search tool or a similar tool offered by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.