FYI Cosmetics

The number one cosmetic surgery procedure in the country is liposuction. Liposuction removes unwanted pockets of fat from the body through manipulation and suction techniques. VASER® LipoSelection is the revolutionary way to remove these unwanted fat pouches, by combining the technology of ultrasound energy with the advanced surgical techniques of traditional liposuction. VASER® is an acronym that stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. The ultrasonic LipoSelection gently re-contours the body by breaking up the fat, liquefying it and removing it from areas such as the abdomen, arms, back, hips, thighs, knees, neck and chin.

The first VASER® system was released by Sound Surgical Technologies LLC in March 2001. Since that time the company has received FDA approval for this third generation VASER® LipoSelection system. Traditional liposuction involves injection of a tumescent solution under the skin to assist in the fat removal. VASER® takes the traditional liposuction to the next level. Sound waves emulsify fat and the cannulas (wand-like tubes) are specially designed to minimize tissue trauma during the suction and removal portion of the procedure. Therefore, ultrasonic liposuction is not as harsh as the traditional techniques. It leaves the surrounding tissues (nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) mostly undisturbed. This technique promotes not only smoother results but also rapid healing for patients. Additional advantages over the traditional method are minimal to no pain, minimal bruising, and the ability to target smaller areas with better effectiveness.

The VASER® is performed in a clean or sterile environment such as a physician office, an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. The process can be performed under local anesthesia (awake), with IV sedation, or under general anesthesia. Both the patient and their physician decide which approach will provide them with the most comfort during the procedure.

Once the anesthesia is determined the area to be reshaped is filled with a tumescent solution. Tumescent fluid is a special saline solution used to assist in numbing the site, minimize bleeding and decrease bruising by shrinking blood vessels. The saline mixture also makes it easier to break up the fat with the ultrasound energy. Once infused high frequency vibrations, brought on by the ultrasonic probes, initiate the fat cells to break apart and liquefy into the tumescent solution. The surrounding tissues remain intact with minimal irritation. The liquefied fat is then removed through gentle suction to complete the process. The end result is an alteration in the tissue, returned blood flow to the areas of the remaining tissue which promotes skin contraction. All this combines to achieve a smooth and firm outcome. Many patients have reported an immediate difference, with final results presenting 3-6 months after the procedure.

VASER® is excellent for treating both large and small areas of fatty pockets and those especially hard to treat areas. Even delicate areas such as arms, chin and neck can be treated successfully.
Optimal candidates have excess body fat in specific areas, but otherwise have a stable body weight. The isolated pockets of fat that respond well are often resistant to diet and exercise alone. To undergo this surgical procedure, candidates must be in good general health without certain medical conditions that could complicate surgery.

As with any surgical procedure there are possible associated side effects or complications. Because heat is created during ultrasonic liposuction, the risk of burning, blisters and scarring increases. Surgeons experienced with VASER® technology will know how to avoid this problem, but the risk should still be noted. Another possible side effect associated with liposuction is a seroma. A seroma is caused when the body produces excess fluid to fill the void created by the fat removal. This is treatable. If a seroma occurs, the fluid can be removed with a syringe until the cavity has closed.

VASER® Hi-Def

VASER® is very effective for those who require a more precise method for contouring specific areas of the body. Because of this the manufacturer has also developed VASER® Assisted High Definition Liposculpture or VASER® Hi Def. VASER® Hi Def is an advanced body sculpting technique. This method can create the sculpted athletic look in usually fit men and women who could not otherwise achieve this definition with diet and exercise alone. It works to remove the superficial and deep fat that surrounds the muscle groups. In doing so the visibility of the underlying muscles are enhanced. The best example of high definition results would be the look of “washboard” abs.

Good candidates for this version of treatment are those with good muscle tone and no excess fat or skin. The patients who are more interested in a sculpting procedure as opposed to the fat debulking techniques of traditional liposuction are the ideal candidates. VASER® Hi-Def can be performed on the abdomen, female breast, male chest, back, arms, thighs, buttocks, hips and waist.

Additionally it needs to be note that liposuction, in any form, will not improve cellulite or other skin surface irregularities, including stretch marks. It is also is not a method of weight loss.
It is important to establish realistic expectations are with your doctor. As with any surgical procedure, a consultation with your certified cosmetic surgeon will be able to answer all of your questions regarding liposuction. The Cost for VASER® ranges nationally from$2500-$8000.

When you hear VASER LipoSelection, most people respond by asking: what is that? The cosmetic industry is booming and it seems like new treatments are being introduced almost daily, so it can be somewhat difficult to keep up. But for those who are interested in finding the very best way to reduce unwanted fat for a more defined, contoured shape, then this treatment may be exactly what you need. VASER LipoSelection is an innovative new treatment that utilizes ultrasound technology to remove unwanted facial and body fat with lasting results.

Ultrasonic energy is not something that is new to the medical field, but VASER is the first treatment to utilize ultrasound for the removal of unwanted fat. By utilizing this minimally invasive technology, VASER allows patients to remove unwanted fat without worrying about the risks involved with more traditional forms of liposuction. Traditionally, liposuction involved different levels of invasive surgical treatment that relied on powerful vacuum suction for the removal of unwanted fatty tissue; while this treatment showed high rates of success, localized damage to the surrounding tissue in the treatment area made it somewhat risky. When fat is removed with traditional treatments, the surrounding nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue in the treatment area are damaged and this damage can cause patients to experience excessive bleeding, significant pain, considerable downtime and a certain amount of risk. VASER treatments are truly ground-breaking because they provide comparative fat reduction results without the risk, pain and downtime of more traditional liposuction procedures.

So at this point you’re probably wondering how this fat removal treatment actually works. The ultrasonic energy used in VASER lipo treatments works to effectively emulsify unwanted fat for easy removal. Ultrasound, as an energy source, differs from other fat reduction alternatives because it is tissue selective. Where traditional liposuction causes localized damage to surrounding tissue, VASER has the capabilities to specifically target fatty tissue while leaving the surrounding area largely undisturbed; in being tissue-selective VASER can remove unwanted fat without disturbing bodily tissues that are critical to an optimal recovery.

When you undergo VASER, the treatment will begin with a tiny incision in the targeted area. The incision allows the fatty area to be infused with tumescent fluid. Tumescent fluid is a mixture of the anesthesia Lidocaine and epinephrine (epinephrine works to decrease bleeding and prolong the effects of the lidocaine); this fluid mixture will be injected into the treatment site and will help to minimize bleeding as well as numb the area being treated. Once the fluid is infused, a thin probe will be inserted which will emit ultrasonic waves. The high frequency ultrasonic waves work to selectively break apart unwanted fatty deposits while leaving the important tissues relatively intact; the broken down fat emulsifies into the infusion fluid. At this stage, depending on the level of fat removal, the liquefied fat will either be removed with gentle suction or through manual massage which will encourage the natural removal of fat through the lymphatic system.

VASER is truly revolutionary because it can break down the targeted fat both safely and effectively; after just one treatment, individuals can experience smoother contours and an overall reduction in unwanted fat with minimal pain and minimal downtime. This fat reduction technology is so sensitive and so precise that it is quickly replacing more invasive forms of fat reduction including traditional liposuction. For safe, effective fat reduction results that last, there’s no better choice than the revolutionary VASER LipoSelection.