VASER Lipo: Is It Better Than Tradtional Lipo or AirSculpt?

Liposuction is a cosmetic fat removal procedure designed to remove fat deposits under the skin. VASER liposuction is a form in which fat cells are broken up and released from the deeper tissues, allowing the fat to be removed more effectively during the procedure.

VASER uses ultrasonic vibrations or "vibration amplification of sound energy by resonance" (VASER) to dissolve unwanted fat and free it from surrounding tissue before it is sucked out through a hollow tube called a cannula. 

It can be performed on most body parts, including thighs, calves, ankles, hips, buttocks, abdomen, back, flanks, arms, neck, and under the chin. It is also adept at treating gynecomastia (reducing male breasts).

VASER liposuction is marketed as a more controlled and gentle form of cosmetic surgery and requires a qualified and experienced physician to perform it correctly.

No form of liposuction, including ultrasound-assisted techniques, is considered a means of weight loss. The people who get the best results with VASER liposuction or any other type are already close to their ideal weight. This procedure is designed for people who want to remove fat deposits and reveal a toned look or even accentuate the muscles underneath.

What is VASER Liposuction?

VASER is a form of liposuction that uses ultrasonic energy to break up and liquefy fat cells before they are removed with suction. Unlike traditional liposuction, which uses a cannula to break up fat manually, VASER liposuction uses a specialized device that emits high-frequency sound waves to selectively target and dissolve fat cells while leaving surrounding tissues unharmed.

The ultrasonic waves selectively resonate with fat cells, causing them to vibrate and break apart while leaving other tissues like blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue unharmed. VASER can remove large amounts of fat, but it still tends to be somewhat aggressive by nature. This means it can require general anesthesia to complete treatment. 

How Does VASER Liposuction Work?

All types of liposuction work on the same basic principle. Fat deposits are broken down and extracted from your body using anesthesia, saline, and a cannula that sucks the fat out from under your skin.

Water pressure, ultrasonic waves, and laser heat are three ways fat deposits can be broken down before suctioning out. These energy sources produce energy that helps break up fat cells so they can be removed more easily from the treatment area.

VASER liposuction claims to be different in that it allows the doctor to apply a gentle yet exact method of fat removal. It detaches the fatty tissue from the underlying muscle without damaging the underlying healthy tissue. This is why VASER liposuction has a good reputation for body shaping.

Studies show that liposuction also affects how your metabolism works to lose fat. Scientists are still trying to understand this.

Vaser liposuction is typically performed under general anesthesia but can be done with local anesthesia instead, meaning that only the targeted area of the body is numbed. This allows the patient to stay alert and awake during the procedure, which is usually completed within a few hours.

During treatment, the surgeon creates small incisions on the target areas and inserts a thin tube, called a cannula, into the region where fat is to be removed. The cannula is attached to the VASER device, which emits ultrasonic waves that liquefy the fat cells. The melted fat is then suctioned out of the body using the cannula.

One of the benefits of VASER liposuction is that it allegedly allows for more precise and targeted fat removal than traditional liposuction. Because the ultrasonic waves can be adjusted to different frequencies and intensities, the surgeon can selectively target areas of fat without too much harm to surrounding tissues.

How Much Does The Procedure Cost?

VASER liposuction is an elective cosmetic procedure that is not covered by insurance. 

According to RealSelf.com data, VASER lipo costs $7,800 on average, but this varies mainly depending on the number of areas of the body you want to treat. This treatment costs more than traditional liposuction, ranging from $2,600 to $17,000.

The price you pay may be significantly higher or lower depending on:

1. The number of areas that need to be treated, how much fat must be removed, and how long it takes to remove it.

2. The level of experience of your surgeon and the location of their office.

3. Whether you need local or general anesthesia (the latter is more expensive). 

Advantages of VASER 

VASER liposuction says it offers several benefits over traditional liposuction and other body contouring procedures. Some of the most significant benefits include:

1. Precision: The sound waves hit the fat without damaging the surrounding tissue. As a result, the fat is absorbed more quickly and evenly, resulting in smoother skin. 

2. Reduced Side Effects: After the procedure, you may have less swelling and bruising with VASER liposuction than traditional liposuction, which requires more muscular manual movements to break up the fatty tissue. 

3. Quicker Recovery: Recovery is less painful and takes longer than traditional liposuction because the nerves and tissues around the treated area are less disrupted. Patients who have only one area treated may need a few days of downtime (although if you have multiple locations treated, the rest may be up to two weeks). 

Disadvantages of VASER

VASER liposuction carries risks and potential side effects like any surgical procedure. Some of the most common risks and general downsides of VASER include:

1. Waiting Period: It may take three to six months for the swelling to subside entirely and for you to see the final results. 

2. Scarring: There is some risk of scarring after VASER liposuction, especially if your surgeon is not fully experienced with this technology. 

3. Loss of Results: As with all body contouring, the remaining fat cells may become more extensive as you gain weight after the procedure.  

4. Side Effects: VASER lipo carries most of the same side effects as traditional lipo, including bruising, swelling, and numbness. More rare but possible outcomes include contour irregularities and seroma formation, which can sometimes be corrected with additional procedures, such as fat grafting or touch-up liposuction.

5. Infection: As with any surgical operation, there is a slight risk of infection at the incision sites. This risk can be minimized by carefully following the surgeon's postoperative care instructions.

Elite Body Sculpture's AirSculpt: Next-Generation Fat Removal

Overall, VASER liposuction effectively removes unwanted fat and achieves a more toned and contoured physique. That said, there are more precise and innovative ways to remove fat surgically.

Elite Body Sculpture's patented AirSculpt technology has established itself as the next generation of fat removal.

These procedures are considered safer and more comfortable, given that they don't use incisions, stitches, needles, or general anesthesia, which allows for reduced risks and a shorter recovery period. Unlike AirSculpt, VASER often requires general anesthesia, as this is a relatively aggressive form of fat removal. 

Despite being less invasive, minimally invasive AirSculpt still can provide dramatic results as stunning as fully invasive techniques. Other websites may claim that AirSculpt is the same as laser liposuction, but this could not be farther from the truth. 

AirSculpt avoids using laser, ultrasound, and other energy modalities that can damage internal organs and burn the skin. Instead, its patented, automated devices can delicately pluck fat cells one by one through tiny entry points the size of a freckle. Surgeons enjoy enhanced finesse, while patients experience minimal discomfort comparable to a massage. 

All AirSculpt procedures, including our fat transfers, require the use of no needles, no scalpels, and no stitches, with patients always fully awake. While this may seem too good to be true, you can check out thousands of before and after photos in this interactive gallery to see the consistently successful body contouring results AirSculpt delivers. 

Elite Body Sculpture Provides A More Worthwhile Procedure

While VASER liposuction has marketed itself to be a minimally invasive procedure, it still uses invasive surgical techniques to remove fat from the area that is being treated.

Elite Body Sculpture's AirSculpt technology offers a more suitable solution, allowing for a seamless patient experience and a much shorter downtime of one to two days.  

If you want to learn more about the differences between these technologies or how AirSculpt can help you achieve your fat-loss goals, contact one of our 25+ body contouring offices worldwide for a free consultation.