What is VASER Liposelection?

VASER® LipoSelection was FDA approved in 2001. VASER® LipoSelection is a form of liposuction that uses ultrasonic energy in a deliberate controlled fashion to assist the surgeon in the selective removal of fat in body contouring surgery. Ultrasonic liposuction was first used in the early 90’s but fell out of favor with plastic surgeons because of increased risks and complications (such as burn wounds) due to the high level of ultrasonic energy. The VASER® is a 3rd generation ultrasound device that has been engineered to eliminate many, if not all, of these problems as it employs a low level of ultrasound. The ultrasonic energy pulses to gently break apart the fat cells with minimal collateral damage to important tissue. The VASER® is not a laser, in fact VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. The ultrasonic energy is transformed primarily to vibration energy which is transmitted to the fat cells by small probes (between two and three millimeters). The fat cells are “shaken” apart and then mixed with fluid, which is infiltrated by the surgeon at the onset of the operation. Then, small cannulas are used to suction and remove this fat/water mixture (emulsification).

Is VASER® LipoSelection a marketing gimmick or a useful tool? Simply stated, the most important part of your surgical experience is your choice of the surgeon…not the device. The experience, wisdom, skills, and talents of your surgeon are essential to all successful outcomes. Your aesthetic surgeon should be compassionate and cognizant of your individual needs.

Personally, I have been extremely satisfied with VASER®. I have safely performed LipoSelection in hundreds of patients in many different anatomical areas, including the abdomen, posterior trunk, inner and outer thighs, arms and even the face and neck. When comparing this technique to standard liposuction with or without ultrasound, it is my observation that I do see increased skin contraction and tightening. Additionally, my patients seem to have less downtime and post-operative pain. Because I can use smaller small probes and cannulas, I have noticed smoother skin surface and body contour.

Vaser Liposelection was "hot" about 5 or so years ago. . .so hot that a lot of patients were burned, scarred and otherwise scared away from having it become as popular as many would have hoped.

It really is a great idea and can produce good results.  It is very powerful, skin is tightened and patients achieve smoother results than if the same surgeon (i.e. same ability) performed the procedure with only traditional liposuction techniques.

However, the number of complications experienced was far too many.  It quickly went out of favor but is now showing signs of life since people confuse it with "laser" liposuction.  I have even heard doctors with Vaser say "laser" on the radio. . .to attract more clients.  Hmmm.

The new Vaser High Def technique shows promise.  As providers discover the risks of Vaser, they should be able to eliminate many of them.  By teaching safer techniques, we should be able to see a dramatic decrease in the complications the early Vaser devices were so infamous for.

Liposuction is definitely used as part of the the Vaser Liposelection process. . . it just sounds cooler if one thinks it's something special.  (Coolness sells!)

Vaser Liposelection is a form of liposuction that utilizes third generation ultrasound to emulsify the fat before aspirating it.

When ultrasound was first used in conjunction with liposuction there were some problems. Vaser is a complete redesign and those earlier problems have been eliminated. When used properly, it is a much gentler process that allows more fat to be removed safely. Again, if used properly, blood loss is reduced. Patients tend to recover faster and with less brusing, swelling, and discomfort.

I believe Vaser is currently the best option available for liposuction.

VASER®  is the newest generation of ultrasonic liposuction machines.  With traditional liposuction, essentially a straw is used to suck out fat.  With ultrasonic liposuction, ultrasonic energy is sent through that straw to melt the fat, theoretically resulting in a greater extraction, less damage to nerves and blood vessels, and better tightening of skin.

Liposelection™ is the trademarked name of liposuction done by VASER®. The implication of the term is that the ultrasound is selective for fat, sparing blood vessels and nerves.  There is some evidence to suggest this occurs, but whether it actually makes a difference in the patient's result remains a matter of disagreement.  This term is basically a marketing term.  This way, a doctor can say something like, "I don't just do liposuction, I do Liposelection™."  The company hopes that the name will catch on, and that everyone will ask for it - so that surgeons buy more machines.

Bottom line:  VASER® is great.  But great surgeons get great results with Lysonix (an older ultrasonic machine that I still love), and with Power Assited Liposuction and with SmartLipo and with Syringe Lipo and with standard lipo, etc, etc.  The public has a love affair with anything that rhymes with LASER, and no doubt this company banked on that (after all, LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation, and there is no amplicfication by simulated emission of radiation with VASER!)

VASER's advantage over earlier forms of ultrasonic liposuction is that it achieves the melting of fat with lower energies, smaller cannulas, and a better disbursement of energy at the tip of the probe.  Whether these technological advances actually result in a better outcome has never been shown, but VASER® proponents are certainly convinced of it.

You need to understand that companies are intent on selling patients and surgeons on hot sounding new technologies (just note all the ®s and ™s that you see on products these days!  But the better surgeons always get the better results.  With rare exceptions - perhaps a patient that needs a lot of liposuction in a fibrous area or in a revision - there is very little advantage of any form of ultrasonic liposuction over other techniques.