Perhaps you are already familiar with this purely cosmetic procedure called liposuction. It’s one of the most performed treatments in the world, with more than 200,000 people getting it in the US every year. Singapore is no exception - there is a growing demand for such procedures here as well. Liposuction, as most of you already know, is a method to remove fat from the body. But not everyone knows that there are different techniques of performing liposuction. There are several types of liposuction: tumescent liposuction (the most common one), ultrasound-assisted liposuction (where the sound waves destroy the fat), and laser liposuction.
In this article, we’re going to talk about VASER liposuction - a type of ultrasound liposuction. We will discuss what you need to know about the outpatient procedure, such as expectations, results, and costs you might expect in Singapore.
Liposuction itself while a very popular plastic surgery procedure is not suitable if your goal is to lose weight (not to mention the outcome will be ruined if you gain weight). It’s a good way to get rid of unwanted and stubborn fat that doesn’t go away with diet or exercise. In fact, it lets you lose a few inches around your waist and the effects are natural-looking.
Even though VASER liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction, there is a key difference we need to look at. While both methods employ similar technology to remove unwanted fat, VASER liposuction uses ultrasound that emulsifies the fatty tissues. This allows for a more precise and less invasive form of liposuction. Not to mention, it stimulates collagen production (leading up to improved skin retraction).
One downside is that the VASER liposuction procedure is not suitable for larger areas but rather for some mild treatments and body sculpting. Compared to classic liposuction, with VASER, you’ll get less pain and less downtime. But at the end of the day, advancement in technology also made the traditional one less painful and safer than it was a decade ago, for example. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your consultant plastic surgeon to decide on a type of liposuction suitable for your new body shape.
VASER is an acronym standing for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. Sounds complicated, right? Well, if we go into all the technicalities of the method, it is very complicated. But the procedure itself not so much. Here’s how VASER liposuction works:
It uses ultrasound technology to liquefy unwanted fat cells, breaking them down before they are sucked out. This allows for a gentler, yet precise, method of fat removal compared to other techniques. That’s because, with VASER, the connection between the fat and the muscle is disrupted without damaging any surrounding tissues. It can help to tighten loose skin after natural weight loss.
Also, VASER liposuction in Singapore can be done with local anaesthetic and you have a smaller risk of bleeding or bruising compared to the other cosmetic procedures. In fact, a tumescent fluid is injected directly into the fats and its purpose is to shrink blood vessels and numb the region. Furthermore, VASER liposuction allows for quicker recovery time. This non-invasive procedure for slimming and reducing excess fat from the body can be used on almost any part - from neck to toes. It works perfectly for reducing unwanted fat cells from the abdomen, thighs, flanks, back, buttocks, hips, knees and upper arms.
This new method is available for all nationalities and types of skin but in Singapore, it is exclusively developed for Asian sort of skin. The other advantage of this new method in Singapore is that doctors are speaking your language and can make everything you need to know easy and understandable.
There is a newer form of VASER that is called VASER hi def liposuction. Needless to say, it's better than the original type. It requires even less downtime since it's super precise.
Let’s look into what exactly happens during the minimally invasive procedure itself. First, you’re going to be put under sedation and the surgeons will inject local anaesthesia in the targeted areas. Once it has kicked in, your surgeon will cut small incisions where the ultrasound probes will be inserted. After the fat cells have started to break apart, they will be “vacuumed” by the VASER liposuction machine. With this procedure, all of the blood vessels, nerves, connective tissue, and collagen will remain undamaged, thanks to the ultrasound technology. This is also what makes VASER so suitable for body sculpting.
After the procedure is completed, the incisions will be stitched or covered. Unlike traditional liposuction and other body contouring procedures, VASER patients don’t have to worry about additional downtime, bruising, or other surgical complications around their thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and other parts that were involved. This is not reconstructive surgery.
With VASER, downtime and recovery are minimal. Of course, the length of the recovery period depends mainly on the size of the targeted area - the bigger the areas, the more recovery time. But that being said, for most people recovery doesn’t exceed 7 days. After a week or so post-procedure, you’re going to be able to go back to work and your everyday life. You’ll see final results in a few months when your body recovers fully and settles.
The first days will require some effort on your part. You will probably need to keep a compression garment over the treated areas. It will help with skin contraction. And you will be advised to rest more than usual.
The results are permanent but you’ll still need to be mindful of your diet and exercise. Implementing a healthy lifestyle is key. The effects from the surgery are long-lasting, but in the case of any weight gain, you might get some of the fat back. So ultimately, the results also depend on you and your choices after the procedure.
Truth is, the answer to this question depends on the unique characteristics of the body. Some people will get only mild corrections because too much fat removal not only poses a health risk but can also distort the results. Generally speaking, the amount of fat deposits is limited to 4% of one’s body weight, which for most people equals 3 litres of fat.
Another important thing to mention is that lipo does not target visceral fat, which is the fat surrounding your organs and essentially the things that can make you sick.
The good news is that liposuction is usually carried out in one go. So, you will undertake one session and that’s it. That being said, you may need touch-up sessions after a few months of your initial procedure. But that is up for debate by you and your cosmetic surgeon because it depends on individual characteristics and every patient will be given different options.
The liquefied fat that has been extracted will never return but the fat that remains can expand and show through over time. This means that if you put on a lot of weight, it will compromise your lipo results. It depends on your lifestyle and diet. To prevent that, make sure to stay within your ideal weight or whatever was that your doctor advised. More than anything, you should follow their instructions to get the most of your treatment.
Like any other cosmetic surgery procedure which is part of aesthetic medicine, VASER lipo is not recommended for everyone. It’s a safe and effective way to get rid of unwanted fat, however, if you have underlying health conditions or you have unrealistic expectations it might not be suited for you. For example, if you expect a huge weight loss after undergoing VASER liposuction, you might be disappointed. With it, you won't achieve any significant weight loss but rather some body contouring and muscle definition instead.
Your surgeon is going to look at your skin elasticity because they need to make sure that once performed, the liposuction is not going to cause any long-term changes to the skin. Elastic skin would mean that it can go back to normal without additional problems. Also, liposuction is not recommended to smokers because it can cause bleeding. Furthermore, you can’t get VASER liposuction in Singapore if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
During your consultation, your doctor will ask questions about your general health - whether you have any conditions or take any medications that may affect the surgery. For instance, if you are on blood thinning medication, this could present an issue and the risks need to be further assessed before you undergo VASER liposuction. Be upfront and honest about your answers, and you and your surgeon will come up with a plan for your procedure.
Even though VASER liposuction is a safe and low-risk procedure, there are still some risks associated with it. Some of the risks or side effects from liposuction treatment are bruising or mild bleeding in a couple of days following the procedure. You might also experience pain in the treated areas. Among the rarest problems are blood clots, infection, and fat embolism. Other side effects include the ones associated with poor performance by the surgeon such as asymmetry or skin irregularities.
If you experience any fever, nausea or fatigue, don’t hesitate to call your cosmetic surgeon.
Just like any other surgery, you’d need to prepare a bit before your VASER liposuction procedure as well. The most important thing you can do is to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you’re taking, even if they are nonprescription. This is because some medications can affect blood coagulation and cause blood-thinning which will make your recovery harder and even cause bleeding.
Also, avoid alcohol and cigarettes before the procedure. If you’re having any kind of surgery, stay away from smoking for at least six weeks prior to your liposuction. In general, if your plastic surgeon gives you any sort of recommendations, follow them strictly.
The procedure doesn’t hurt. In some cases, you may experience some slight discomfort, but it doesn’t leave scars and brushes, so you won't have to look for scar removal treatments in the future. VASER is a smooth, nice procedure. You are going to feel only the warming of the skin. After that, the skin may become slightly pink, but that is normal. Don’t worry, it is harmless, not a life-threatening illness. It will go away.
The VASER liposuction cost in Singapore varies depending on several factors. One of the most important components of the price is the size of the targeted areas - usually bigger areas will be more expensive than smaller ones. For example, treating your under chin will set your back a lot less money than treating the stomach area. Also, prices in different clinics might vary depending on the fee of the surgical facility or the VASER certified physician, as well as any anaesthetics and medications you may need. In general, you can expect the cost in Singapore to be around $1,500 to $15,000.
The VASER liposuction procedure has gained significant popularity in recent years, thanks to the many benefits it brings along. One of the main advantages is the short recovery period. But that’s not all. With VASER, the need for painkillers is also reduced because the blood loss is next to minimal (and in a lot of cases there isn’t any). There’s also less need to repeat treatments as well.
VASER liposuction is a safe and precise way to remove excess fat cells which makes it suitable for a lot of people. It also doesn’t damage any surrounding tissue and areas and you’ll need a lot less time to recover and go back to your daily schedule. Just keep in mind that you still need to engage in a healthy lifestyle if you want to maintain the results.
Furthermore, the fat deposits removed during VASER lipo can be used somewhere else on the body – in a procedure called fat grafting (or fat transfer). With fat transfer, you can use the fat removed during liposuction on your face, breasts, or buttocks.
Liposuction was designed to provide small corrections to the body shape, whereas tummy tucks are more invasive in nature. They serve to reconstruct the stomach muscle (for better muscle tone) and eliminate excess tissues and skin. It is in no way reconstructive surgery, though. And lastly, a tummy tuck focuses primarily on the abdominal areas, whereas VASER liposuction can be used on many body parts.