Liposuction vs. VaserLipo: Two Techniques for Fat Removal
Since liposuction was first introduced decades ago, many improvements have been made to make the process faster, safer, more effective and even less painful. Today’s liposuction procedures span the traditional (but improved) methods as well as new approaches, like ultrasonic liposuction. With so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Compare the traditional liposuction surgery with VaserLipo for help in choosing the right procedure for your needs.
Traditional Liposuction: The Surgery
The liposuction procedure was designed to remove fat deposits that are left behind by diet and exercise. Excess fat may accumulate around the waist, arms, back, buttocks, thighs and even the knees, leaving men and women frustrated with their uneven or lumpy body shape. It is common to feel self-conscious about these stubborn fat pockets, especially when they keep clothes from fitting right and looking good. Traditional liposuction was the first procedure available to treat these areas and solve fat accumulation troubles.
Liposuction today can still slim and reshape the body by removing fatty deposits from anywhere they exist. The procedure is an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia plus IV sedation and lasting up to three hours depending on how many areas must be addressed. First, the treatment area will be injected with a tumescent fluid. A small cannula is then inserted through small incisions at the treatment area to suction out the fatty tissue. When the desired amount has been removed, your surgeon will suture the incisions to heal properly. Your recovery process will last up to a few weeks as your desired results begin to appear.
VaserLipo: The Surgery
One of a handful of newer, improved liposuction techniques, VaserLipo is a little bit different in how it is performed. Ultrasonic liposuction can also target the fatty deposits that resist diet and exercise, eliminating these unwanted bulges to provide a smoother body contour. VaserLipo is safe to apply to the back, abdomen, neck, arms, chin, cheeks, buttocks and legs as needed.
The Ultrasonic procedure is an outpatient surgery as well, performed under general or local anesthetics as needed and lasting one to two hours. The tumescent fluid will be injected to the treatment area to numb the area and prepare the fat cells for removal. An ultrasonic probe is then used to emit ultrasonic energy to the treatment area, inserted through the pre-cut incisions. A traditional cannula is then inserted to remove the broken up fat cells from the body until the desired contour is achieved. The ultrasonic energy can also stimulate collagen growth in the skin cells to help them tighten after your procedure.
Comparing the Benefits of Liposuction and VaserLipo
Each of these liposuction techniques can offer patients various benefits. Choosing the right procedure for you is a simple matter of assessing these benefits and prioritizing which mean the most to you. If you know that you need a faster recovery or a larger area of fat removed, these factors can point you toward one procedure over another.
Traditional liposuction is a good choice for patients with larger pockets of fat to remove. It is a tried and true method that provides lasting results. On the downside, liposuction does have a somewhat lengthy recovery period and can create moderate pain and discomfort for the patient.
VaserLipo offers several of its own benefits to patients. It delivers the top-notch results of liposuction while also offering better body contouring. The recovery time of VaserLipo is shorter and may involve less discomfort. It can also be applied to more difficult to reach areas, including the arms, parts of the face and more. Finally, large amounts of fat can be removed with VaserLipo, but may fare better with traditional removal techniques. The ultimate choice between these two procedures is yours to make, so start planning to consult with your plastic surgeon and get his or her opinion on which would be best for you.
Plan Your Fat Removal Surgery Today
Whether liposuction or VaserLipo techniques are a better choice for you, start the process to your slimmer, firmer body contour by meeting with the right surgeon. Consult with Dr. Ronald Lohner, an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon based in Philadelphia. He completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and medical school at UMDNJ-Rutgers. Currently, Dr. Lohner is Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital and holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. His peers have selected him as a Philadelphia-area Top Doctor for the last eight years. His office is located at [primary_address] in [primary_city], [primary_statefull], on the Main Line. Please call his office at [primary_phone] to schedule a consultation for your liposuction procedure.