Is VASER Lipo Safe?

Many people are unsure on what VASER liposuction is, or how safe it is. It has been available for a little over 10 years at this point, and has surged in popularity over the last few. VASER is a newer method of lipo, and stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance.

This is a fancy way of saying it uses ultrasound waves that are amplified and targeted to hit the fat cells in a specific area. Special ultrasonic probing tools are used here. The waves from these probes cause vibrations that liquefy fat cells so that they can be removed.

Before the ultrasound process, the surgeon will usually inject an anaesthetic solution to numb the area. This solution helps with the process of turning the cells to liquid. The removal is then done with a tiny cannula, up to 2mm wide, which sucks out the resulting liquid. A small amount of the anaesthetic solution will usually be left inside to speed up the healing process.

Of course not all cells can be removed, but a lot can.

Who is it recommended for?

This liposuction procedure is recommended for those who are already exercising and close to their ideal weight, and who also have a good diet. For these people, liposuction is much more effective, as VASER is not a weight loss tool. It is used to reshape and remove specific areas of fat, which may otherwise be problem areas.

It can also be used in areas where fat has built up over time under loose skin, due to ageing. The best candidates for surgery will already be at their ideal weight.

Is it truly safe?

When it comes to safety, VASER is much safer than older methods of liposuction. Older methods didn’t have the technology to liquefy the fat cells before removal, which made it a more invasive and painful process. This could also cause damage to other cells in the body, such as the veins and capillaries, as well as other delicate tissues. There was also the likelihood of an unsightly scar after surgery.

The availability of VASER and the ability to liquefy fat cells before removal has changed this entirely. First of all, there is no longer an unsightly scar. The only scarring that could occur is a possible small dot where the 2mm cannula has been used to suck out the liquid fat and cells. Often this doesn’t cause a scar at all, as it is so small, though it can happen occasionally.

Outpatient treatment

As it’s a less invasive surgery, there’s no need for a stay in hospital or a clinic either. You can be in and out on the same day, and recover the rest at home. Recovery times are shorter too, because of the process now being more accurate. Recovery time is also less painful than older methods.

VASER liposuction also doesn’t cause damage to surrounding areas like nerves, veins and other types of tissue. Leaving these areas untouched contributes to the quicker and less painful recovery.

There’s also no need for general anaesthetic, which removes an often overlooked risk from the whole process. You can have this surgery performed with local anaesthetic, as it is usually sufficient.