VASER (
Vaser or Vibration amplification through Sound Emission and Resonance, as it may be called after expanding it, is an exciting new technology in the field of body contouring done surgically. It takes liposuction assisted body contouring to new heights. Previously difficult to imagine kind of weight losses and inch losses can be given with excellent intrinsic skin retraction which occurs, promises to help a far greater percentage of patients than could be usefully operated earlier by conventional liposuction
Surgical liposuction has seen the advent of Laser liposuction, which till today maintains a controversial understanding and effectiveness among plastic surgeon circles. Initially the ultra sound based liposuction procedures were pretty ineffective. However the newer 3rd generation devices have shown excellent initial results.
The Basic Principle
Ultrasound energy delivered internally through a specially liposuction probe, is directed into areas of concern. The low frequency ultrasound breaks down the fat cells, emulsifying it, into a liquid form. It may take upto minutes to work on the entire abdomen, and another 20 minutes to work on the entire thigh. Now using any liposuction canula, the emulsified fat is then suctioned off. The ease of liposuction is phenomenal. As the emulsified fat just pours through into the suction device. Since the energy is also delivered superficially, there is excellent skin retraction, hitherto not seen previously. It is foreseeable to see a scarless breast reduction in the not so far future with this technology. Upto 15 litres of fat or even more may be suctioned in one sitting itself
Potential uses
1 Breast reduction
2 Liposuction over abdomen, thighs, waist, buttocks etc
3 Facial liposculpture
4 Buttocks and thighs, which were difficult to operate earlier, now can be easily tackled with Vaser
5 Borderline cases of abdominoplasties may be tackled with Vaser, and the consequent skin retraction may allow the surgeon to avoid an abdominoplasty
Problems
Unlike a conventional liposuction, the patient needs hospital stay for 2-3 days. There is significant paraesthesia for a period of almost 6 weeks, and it is very important to forewarn the patient about this. There is a greater period of rest required, due to more tissue reaction and swelling. There is a longer complete recovery period, with almost 3 months for the final result.