Vaser Liposuction in NYC
Dr. Smith is an expert in VASER Liposuction. Treatment only takes about one to two hours in most cases, and initial results are visible soon after surgery. These results improve over time as the body begins to heal. The final results are visible in 3-6 months. Most patients can return to a desk job 48 hours after VASER liposuction. Soreness can last a few weeks but is generally quite manageable, with many comparing it to the feeling of an intense workout.
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What is VASERlipo®?
Like the other forms of energy-assisted liposuction (Smartlipo and BodyTite), VASERlipo® pairs traditional liposuction with an energy source to enhance the results of liposuction. VASER stands for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. This advanced instrument uses powerful ultrasound (sound waves) to disrupt the bonds between fat cells. Fatty tissue under the skin’s surface is liquefied and then suctioned from the body using a small tube (cannula). Since VASERlipo® loosens fat cells from connective tissue, stubborn fat. can more effectively be removed during treatment. Additionally, the ultrasound energy generates heat which can induce skin tightening. VASER liposuction is a useful treatment for those with especially stubborn fat deposits and those looking to tighten their skin to highlight their underlying muscle tone.
What is the difference between liposuction and VASERlipo®?
In a standard liposuction procedure, fat is removed with a long, thin instrument called a cannula through very small incisions. In VASERlipo®, a wand is inserted into these incisions before the cannula. This wand emits ultrasound energy that creates a phenomenon called “cavitation,” which detaches the fat cells from surrounding connective tissue and other fat cells. This makes them much easier to remove. Additionally, VASER generates heat. This heat can be used to cause skin contraction in those with mild to moderate skin laxity.
Advantages of VASERlipo® in NYC With Dr. Smith Include:
Vaser is a minimally invasive tool that enhances our ability to perform advanced body contouring. While BodyTite is generally our favorite form of energy-assisted liposuction, VASER does have two specific indications for which it is an unrivaled tool. First, in male breast reduction cases (gynecomastia), VASER liposuction is very useful in breaking up fat associated with male breast tissue, enhancing the results of gynecomastia reduction procedures. Its skin tightening abilities come into play here as well. Next, VASER liposuction is our go-to technology for cases of secondary liposuction or cases of paradoxical hyperplasia. In secondary liposuction cases, a previous liposuction procedure has often left behind significant amounts of scar tissue. In paradoxical hyperplasia, a possible complication of CoolSculpting, fat grows instead of shrinks. The fat resulting from paradoxical hyperplasia tends to be very firm and can be difficult to treat with liposuction. In both cases of secondary liposuction and paradoxical hyperplasia, VASER comes in very handy as it disrupts the particularly strong attachment of fat cells to adjacent connective tissues.
Advantages Includes:
Better skin contraction compared to traditional liposuction.
Enhances results of secondary liposuction procedures and gynecomastia reduction procedures.
VASER ultrasound selectively targets fat cells for energy deposition to blood vessels generally are not damaged by this procedure.
Dr. Smith has developed extensive expertise in treating paradoxical hyperplasia after CoolSculpting — VASER liposuction can play an important role in that process.
VASER liposuction makes it easier to transfer large volumes of fat cells as it can accelerate the fat harvesting process. The removed fat can be used to shape and sculpt other areas of the body, like the breasts, buttocks, face, and pecs.
Dr. Smith can precisely sculpt treated areas, in good candidates revealing athletic muscle tone and definition that may be difficult to achieve with diet and exercise alone.
Which areas of the body can be treat with Vaser Liposuction?
Dr. Smith can target various areas of the body. Removing fat around large muscle groups makes your body look more defined.
Targeted areas for treatment include:
arms
chest
chin and neck
upper back
waistline and stomach
hips and thighs
buttocks
Important Factors to Consider Before VASERlipo® in NYC
VASERlipo® with Dr. Smith may not be suitable for all. Keep in mind that liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. Rather, it is a procedure to help you get rid of pockets of stubborn fat cells you can’t get rid of with diet and exercise alone. Ideal candidates will be ready to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the surgical procedure. You should have a stable weight and live a relatively healthy lifestyle. If you have certain conditions that may interfere with healing, you may not be a candidate. Pregnant women are not eligible for this procedure. During your initial consultation, you’ll go over your medical history with Dr. Smith, who will ultimately work with you to determine if you’re a good candidate for VASERlipo
Steps in VASER Liposuction Treatment
Step 1
The first step of VASER liposuction treatment is numbing the treatment area with tumescent solution (blue circles in the diagram below). Tumescent solution has two main ingredients: lidocaine and epinephrine. Lidocaine is similar to what is used in a dentist’s office to numb the treatment site. Epinephrine shrinks blood vessels. By shrinking blood vessels, epinephrine decreases bleeding and bruising as well as decreases the rate at which lidocaine is absorbed into the system. This allows for higher doses of lidocaine to be used for more complete numbing.
Step 2
The second step of VASER liposuction is use of the VASER device itself. This is a small wand that passes through an access point that is smaller than a pen cap. The VASER wand then vibrates extremely rapidly with ultrasound energy (purple in the diagram below). This has two effects. First, the vibration actually gently separates the fat cells from each other and surrounding tissues. This allows them to be gently extracted in the next step, suction. This further reduces bleeding and bruising as compared to traditional liposuction.
Step 3
The third and final step of VASER liposuction is suction and removal of the fat cells in the treatment area. Because the cells have been freed up from surrounding tissues, they are gently extracted to minimize trauma to the treatment area.
VASER Liposuction Publication
Dr. Darren Smith is a published authority in the use of VASER to achieve excellent results in body contouring. He is particularly proud of his paper describing advanced body contouring using VASER in the prestigious clinics in plastic surgery. While this paper focussed on how we use VASER in male liposuction, many of the basics are the same when we use it in women.
VOLUME 49, ISSUE 2, P329-337, APRIL 01, 2022
VASERlipo® Recovery
After your VASERlipo® procedure, we will fit you with a compression garment to minimize swelling. We recommend that the compression garment is worn for 48 hours straight and then almost full time for the next four weeks. Breaks for swimming and events are permitted. Dr. Smith will give you specific care instructions following the surgery. It’s best to rest as much as possible during the first 24 hours of recovery, as long as you are doing some gentle walking around to minimize the risk of blood clots (DVT, deep venous thrombosis). Moderate bruising, draining, or swelling in the first few days may occur, which is perfectly normal. Most of our VASERlipo® NYC patients report a fairly easy recovery process.Dr. Smith will prescribe pain medication to ensure you are comfortable.
It’s now time to focus on your recovery. Dr. Smith will likely encourage you to begin walking immediately after VASERlipo®, but it’s important to avoid heavy exercise and activities for two weeks. Light workouts can resume 5 days after the procedure, in most cases. Most patients are out of work for just 2 days (often a weekend!) following the procedure. While you will see an improvement after just 1-2 weeks, generally, the final results are visible within three to six months.
VASER® Liposuction aftercare instructions
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Do not submerge incisions (e.g. bath, pool, ocean) until they are fully healed (7-14 days).
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While it is good to be up and walking right away, keep other activities to a minimum for 2-3 days.
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You may resume a light workout in 4-5 days, and a full workout in 2 weeks.
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Do not smoke or expose yourself to secondhand smoke for 2 weeks after your procedure.
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Do not consume alcohol while you are taking pain medication.
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Your sutures will be removed 5-10 days after your procedure.
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Avoid exposing your incisions to the skin while healing. When they are fully healed (7-14 days) start using silicone scar cream with SPF.
Vaser Lipo Before & After
VASER Lipo FAQ’s
We can safely remove up to 5 liters of fat with VASERLipo in an outpatient setting. This is more than enough to achieve excellent results in the vast majority of patients. In cases that require more fat removal than this, there is often a high BMI (body mass index) that may predispose patients to an unusually high risk of complications.
VASER lipo is the addition of ultrasound to traditional liposuction. In properly selected patients (like men with tough connective tissue, patients that have had other body contouring procedures with residual scarring, and patients with paradoxical adipose hyperplasia), VASER is more effective than traditional liposuction alone.
We find that VASER is much more effective than SmartLipo. VASER and SmartLipo both work by adding energy (ultrasound for VASER and laser for SmartLipo) to traditional liposuction. The energy is intended to achieve the same goals in both VASER lipo and SmartLipo: free up thick or scarred fat and tighten skin. VASER is a more advanced approach that has proven far superior in our experience.
No, fat does not come back after VASER lipo. Once fat cells are suctioned with VASER liposuction, they are permanently removed from the body. We generally do not make or destroy fat cells to accommodate weight gain and loss, respectively. When we gain weight, our existing fat cells grow. When we lose weight, our fat cells shrink. If one gains a large amount of weight after VASER lipo, the fat cells all over their body will grow to accommodate the need for more lipid storage. Since fat cells have been permanently removed with VASER liposuction, there will be dramatically less fat cells remaining in the treatment area, and there will therefore be much less volume increase in response to weight gain in this region.
