Vaser liposuction is a type of liposuction procedure and is also known as ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) involving the use of high energy ultrasonic vibrations designed to produce fat emulsification. This process is thought to improve the removal of fat using specially designed ultrasonic probes. Vaser lipo has decreased in popularity over the last 10 years due to the high number of unfavourable complications that have occurred as a result of the procedure. VASER stands for vibration amplification of sound energy with resonance. Vaser liposuction differs from other types of liposuction in that it is a thermal liposuction technique which means heat is produced from the cannulas.
What are the benefits and risks of Vaser liposuction?
Anyone who is thinking of having Vaser liposuction should make sure they carry out their research to learn about the potential risks of Vaser liposuction which are often underreported in the literature. Vaser liposuction is heavily marketed as a less invasive alternative to traditional liposuction that can be easily carried out under a local anaesthetic without the need for general anaesthesia.
At Centre for Surgery, many of our surgeons have previously used Vaser liposuction and have found both of these claims to be untrue. In fact, Vaser liposuction can be much more painful than traditional liposuction due to the significant amount of heat that the cannula generates during the procedure. Although the results from any type of liposuction including Vaser lipo can be permanent, this very much depends on patients maintaining a healthy lifestyle including eating healthily and exercising regularly.
The risks of Vaser lipo are greater when compared with other types of liposuction. Vaser lipo generates significant thermal energy which has the potential to injure the skin and in some cases may cause skin burns. The skin burns can be so significant that they may require future reconstructive surgery including fat grafting for adequate correction. Visor liposuction is well known for causing seroma formation as a result of damage to the body’s lymphatic system. Whilst seromas can occur after any type of liposuction, they are particularly common after Vaser liposuction. At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons use power-assisted liposuction with the SAFElipo technique. SAFElipo is a non-thermal liposuction technique that does not carry the same risk of skin burns as Vaser Lipo does.
How does Vaser liposuction compare with SAFElipo?
Although Vaser liposuction shares some similarities to other types of liposuction, there are a number of key differences. It is often claimed that Vaser liposuction allows for greater accuracy in fact the removal whilst preserving the connective tissue framework. This is not the case as Vaser lipo has the potential to injure the supporting connective tissue which often results in obvious rippling of the skin and contour abnormalities. These effects are commonly a result of injury to the connective tissue framework. Lumpy results and skin burns are common complications associated with Vaser liposuction and many patients often say they do not see any difference from the procedure as a result of the minimal volumes of fat removed. Vaser liposuction is not a recognised technique for the removal of larger amounts of fat. This is unlike SAFElipo which is ideal for the removal of small to large amounts of fat. Centre for Surgery offer both SmartLipo and BodyTite as alternatives to conventional liposuction using SAFELipo.
How much does Vaser Lipo cost?
Vaser lipo costs differ based on the number of treatment areas and the type of anaesthetic chosen. Prices for Vaser liposuction in the UK can start from approximately £2000 all the way up to £10,000 plus. Prices for Vaser liposuction can be much higher for patients considering high definition liposuction. Vaser lipo prices will be determined by the number of body areas being targeted, whether performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic and whether the procedure is a primary or revision procedure. Surgeons at Centre for Surgery in London specialise in a form of power-assisted liposuction known as SAFELipo which is known to be the gentlest and safest form of liposuction in the UK. Liposuction costs typically start from £3000 for single areas. Liposuction using the SAFELipo technique avoids many of the potential complications that are commonly seen with Vaser liposuction.
The exact cost of the procedure can be determined once you have had a face-to-face consultation with your surgeon for a full clinical assessment. Your dedicated patient coordinator will see you after your surgeon consultation to give you full costs for your liposuction procedure. Having liposuction under general anaesthetic will incur the extra costs of the anaesthetist and anaesthetic supplies.
Cosmetic surgery in the UK which includes liposuction is subject to VAT as is the case in many other European countries as the procedures are not designed for the treatment of disease or injury but are for the improvement of cosmetic appearance. Our expert plastic surgeons are renowned for their expertise in carrying out safe and effective liposuction procedures in an accredited medical environment at our specialist day surgery hospital in central London. Our treatment philosophy is based on providing the highest standards of medical care delivered by highly trained healthcare professionals using only state of the art medical equipment.
Centre for Surgery does not offer Vaser liposuction
Ultrasonic assisted liposuction techniques have undergone a number of updates over the years with the current Vaser lipo system being the third generation of ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. Despite the many updates, the procedure still carries an unacceptable risk profile with a number of cases each year of patients developing skin bands requiring subsequent corrective surgery. The Vaser lipo system when it was introduced to the UK was aggressively marketed to non-plastic surgeons who often lacked the skills and expertise in carrying out liposuction.
Liposuction risks and how to avoid them
Many patients have come to us with unfavourable outcomes following Vaser liposuction and our surgeons are regularly called upon to assess and treat patients who have had Vaser liposuction elsewhere. Whilst in some cases, our surgeons have been able to effectively correct post-operative deformities caused by Vaser lipo using fat grafting, this has not always been the case due to the advanced nature of the botched Vaser lipo deformity. This sadly has resulted in many patients living with both significant chronic pain and an unacceptable cosmetic appearance. The lumpy results and skin burns that Vaser Liposuction can potentially cause remain a considerable risk for anyone considering having this form of liposuction.
Seroma formation is a relatively uncommon side-effect of liposuction but is particularly common after Vaser liposuction and this can often prevent the skin from healing correctly which often leads to post-operative contour abnormalities. Centre for Surgery has never offered Vaser liposuction and has no intention of offering this type of liposuction now or in the future due to the risks and complications the procedure can cause.
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic located on Baker Street in the heart of Marylebone, central London. We are fortunate to have both surgical and non-surgical treatments across both our locations with all our nonsurgical treatments being delivered at 106 Crawford Street which is located three minute’s walk away from the Baker Street clinic. If you are keen to explore the benefits of liposuction, please get in touch today and speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable patient coordinators to book a face-to-face consultation with an expert liposuction surgeon at the state of the art Baker Street clinic.
