When it comes to dealing with excess fat around your midsection or elsewhere, there are plenty of so-called solutions. From super-strict diets and meal plans to exhausting workouts and claims from personal trainers, doctors, and nutritionists … it can be hard to know where to turn.

But while diet and exercise certainly play a role in your health and overall body shape, sometimes stubborn fat just doesn’t want to budge. When you’ve tried everything and nothing works, this is when you consider liposuction.

But is liposuction really worth it? And what about “Vaser liposuction” — the innovative procedure that claims to remove fat faster and with less pain and collateral tissue damage?

We see many patients who have heard about Vaser liposuction but simply aren’t sure if it’s really worth it for them. So, in this article, we’d like to go over the pros and cons of this highly popular cosmetic procedure. Once you understand the process and take a look at some Vaser liposuction before and after photos, we think you’ll agree Vaser is 100% worth it.

What Is Vaser Liposuction?

Vaser liposuction is a type of liposuction that removes stubborn fat with ultrasound energy. Probes are used prior to suctioning, which emit high ultrasound frequencies. This energy emulsifies the fat you want to remove from your body, making it far easier to suction out with a cannula (the thin hollow tube your surgeon will use to remove fat).

Throughout the process, your surgeon will be able to remove fat without damaging the tissues that surround it. This means less bleeding and reduced swelling and overall damage.

When compared with traditional liposuction, there’s very little to complain about with Vaser liposuction. Not only does Vaser lipo remove fatty tissue more gently than traditional lipo, but the ultrasound energy used to liquify the excess fat allows your plastic surgeon to contour your body more precisely. This means the results are better.

Patients tend to truly love their Vaser liposuction results. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures available today.

Vaser Liposuction Pros

• Fat is removed easily
• Procedure creates very little discomfort
• Allows for better, more precise body contouring
• Technology can be used with high definition liposuction for more sculpted, athletic results
• Provides moderate skin tightening effects
• Recovery times are faster and less cumbersome
• Scars are barely noticeable (if at all)

Vaser Liposuction Cons

• Procedure typically takes longer than traditional lipo procedures
• As with all forms of lipo, bruising, some swelling, and slight discomfort will accompany recovery
• May not be best for patients with high BMI numbers

Assessing Vaser Liposuction Before and After Pictures

When looking at before and after Vaser liposuction pictures, it’s worth looking for patients who have a similar build and similar “trouble areas” in their before pictures. This allows you to see, more clearly, what your results will look like after surgery. 

We also recommend seeking before and afters that depict the same position of the patient and the same lighting in both pictures (each before and after set). This creates fewer variables that might otherwise skew the appearance of the patient’s results. As you study the pictures, you’re able to see exactly how the patient’s body has been changed and improved.

FAQ: Vaser Liposuction

Can Vaser lipo be combined with fat grafting?

Yes, fat grafting (fat transfer) requires liposuction to remove unwanted fat from trouble areas, so it is often used with Vaser lipo. After removal, the fat is processed and re-injected into areas where the patient would like more volume. 

It’s a common type of moderate breast augmentation, for example (called breast fat grafting). Or, it can be used to sculpt the buttocks and hips to create an hourglass figure.

What is Vaser hi def liposuction (high definition lipo)?

High definition Vaser liposuction is a form of Vaser lipo that aims to reveal the patient’s musculature in finer detail. Athletic patients and those who want to emphasize each individual muscle and curve tend to opt for high definition liposuction. The same ultra sound energy used with any Vaser procedure is used with high definition lipo.

How long do you have to wear a compression garment after Vaser lipo?

Patients should wear their compression garments as directed by their surgeon. For most patients, this means 24 hours a day for the first four weeks following surgery. After that, most patients can switch to wearing their garments for just 12 hours a day for another eight weeks or so.

Call Today to Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Sieber

Vaser liposuction is an excellent solution to stubborn fatty tissue that won’t go away with diet and exercise. Get the body you’ve worked hard for! Vaser lipo could be the answer.

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with double board-certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco Dr. David Sieber. We look forward to your call.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/vaser-liposuction

When considering a breast augmentation in San Francisco, the decision between silicone and saline implants holds significant weight. Whether it is for reconstructive purposes or to enhance your personal sense of self, the implants you choose will have a lasting impact.

While breast implants are not permanent, as some might assume, they are designed to endure for many years. Hence, selecting the appropriate type initially becomes crucial in order to avoid unnecessary future surgeries.

Your unique requirements and aesthetic preferences will be carefully considered as you collaborate with your plastic surgeon to determine the ideal breast implant. Factors such as size, projection (how much the implant protrudes from the chest wall), shape, and filling material will all play a role in this decision.

However, before delving into the specifics, you will first need to make the choice between saline breast implants and silicone implants.

Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, and one is likely to align better with your specific needs. Below, you will find detailed information about the benefits of each type, as well as reasons why it may not be the most suitable option for you. If you have any further inquiries after reading, please don’t hesitate to reach out for further clarification.

First, a note on safety.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SAFETY, SALINE VS. SILICONE IMPLANT

For decades, many people were convinced that silicone was not as safe as saline for implants.  Saline breast implants are simply a solution of water and salt, the concentration being similar to that of tears, blood and body fluids.

Intuitively, it does seem as though saline breast implants would be safer, as your body consists of a huge portion of it anyway. However, while popular belief for years held that silicone implants were related to health risks and immunological diseases, there is no evidence to support this claim today.

The only known medical risk of implants is breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is an extremely rare type of cancer that develops only around textured breast implants.  BIA-ALCL is a highly treatable cancer; most patients have an excellent prognosis following the removal of the breast implants and surrounding capsule.

Overall, both breast implants appear equally safe, according to current medical literature. The chance of rupturing is not greater in one than the other, either, although the response to and detection of ruptures is different (covered below). The bottom line with safety is that, while you need to be aware of certain issues with Saline and Silicone Implants, neither wins out on risk factor – so you can read on with a clear head.

SALINE BREAST IMPLANTS: THE PROS AND CONS

Pros

Why I chose saline breast implants? Saline is simple, sterile saltwater. Your body already contains a ton of it, so it’s pretty much guaranteed to be safe. Many women still feel more comfortable knowing that the substance inside their bodies will be natural. However, it should be noted that even saline implants are contained within a silicone outer covering.

Another benefit is that when saline implants break, it is very obvious. Because the body absorbs saline through the barrier that forms around the implant capsule, the breast will rapidly “deflate” if the implant breaks. Within just a few days, the breast will have lost all the fullness associated with the implant. Thus, no detection system is needed.

CONS

Saline, because it is water, ripples with movement. This can look very unnatural, especially if a woman does not have a significant amount of existing breast tissue to cover the implant. For some women, this might make them less likely to feel confident wearing swimwear or revealing clothing.

SILICONE Implants: THE PROS AND CONS

PROS

The main pro of silicone is that it looks and feels more natural than saline. Silicone gel implants keeps its shape, unlike rippling water. This is especially useful for the teardrop-shaped implants that mimic the natural breast shape, eliminating the appearance of roundness at the top of the breast with normal round implants. Some women choose the teardrop shape for this reason.

Contrary to unfounded claims, there is no medically determined increase in risk of capsular contracture, or the hardening of breast tissue around the implant, when you opt for silicone. To date, researchers have not yet conducted meta-studies to see which type results in more breast hardening, but most physicians will tell you they don’t see a statistically significant difference between implant types in their patients.

CONS

The main con regarding silicone breast implants is that it is impossible to detect when they rupture without an ultrasound or an MRI. Because silicone implants

does not penetrate the barrier around the implant (which is good, since it doesn’t enter the body), the breast does not lose shape. Therefore, a woman could conceivably have a ruptured implant for years and not notice it.

For that reason, the FDA recommends magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) three years after implant placement and every two years thereafter. This scan likely won’t be covered by insurance for elective breast augmentation making silicone possibly more expensive long-term. However, screening alternatives to MRI like ultrasound are becoming more mainstream.

Questions and Answers about Breast Augmentation with Implants

Which implant is better saline or silicone?

Saline implants tend to have a firmer, fuller, and rounder appearance compared to silicone implants, potentially resulting in a less natural look and feel. Nevertheless, by tailoring the size and positioning, it is possible to achieve a more natural aesthetic with these implants.

Does silicone or saline implants last longer?

Typically, saline implants have an average lifespan of 10-20 years, while silicone implants can last between 20-40 years. Among the two types, saline implants have a higher probability of rupturing and are more susceptible to “rippling.” This refers to the visibility of the implant’s edges or creases through the skin.

TALK TO A PLASTIC SURGEON ABOUT SALINE VS. SILICONE IMPLANT

Of course, even if you have a pretty good idea of Saline vs. Silicone Implant, you’ll still need to discuss your options with your plastic surgeon. They will help clarify any outstanding questions about breast implant illness, saline implant ruptures and asses the benefits for your lifestyle and make the choice that works for you long-term.

If you’re ready to learn more about having a San Francisco breast augmentation surgery procedure, Dr. Sieber would love to hear from you!