VASER Liposuction: What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonReviewed on May 15, 2023
Written byJolene EdgarUpdated on April 21, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
Medically reviewed by Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonReviewed on May 15, 2023
Written byJolene EdgarUpdated on April 21, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.

Fast facts

90% Worth It rating based on 376 reviews

$6,225 average cost

Up to 2 weeks of downtime

Local or general anesthesia


VASER liposuction is an FDA-cleared fat-removal procedure that uses ultrasonic “vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance” (VASER) to break up and remove unwanted fat through a thin, hollow tube called a cannula. 

VASER lipo is gentler on the surrounding tissue than tumescent liposuction, or traditional suction-assisted liposuction (SAL). Plastic surgeons who prefer VASER to standard lipo say it provides better results with less swelling, bruising, pain, and downtime.

“I love the VASER for its ease and versatility,” says Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. “I use the VASER on almost all of my liposuction cases and find it especially useful for tough revision liposuction cases,” he notes. Dr. Katzen also praises the technology for “its reliable and consistent results while performing VASER hi-def six-pack abs,” a form of liposculpture. “The VASER’s faster recovery, minimal swelling and bruising, and overall results cannot be matched.”

Dr. David Sieber, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco, compares the vibrational action of VASER lipo on fat globules to shaking grapes off a vine. With traditional lipo, on the other hand, “you’re more like ripping the fat cells off the connective tissue,” he says.

“The problem I’ve encountered with the traditional technique is that you can end up overly traumatizing the skin and causing bruising and skin discoloration, which can take six months to go away,” says Dr. Sieber. “VASER spares that trauma because you’re not right under the skin with a cannula, beating it up.”

It also tends to be a quicker procedure, with less physical strain for surgeons. The ultrasound energy loosens and melts the fat, so more fat can be removed in a shorter period of time.

This technique is commonly used in liposculpture (also called VASER high-definition, or high-def lipo) to sculpt specific body areas, like the rectus abdominis or “six-pack abs.”

RealSelf Tip: Like all liposuction techniques, VASER lipo isn’t a weight-loss treatment: it’s a body sculpting procedure, intended to target pockets of excess fat that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. Good candidates are already at or near their ideal weight. 

Related: High-Tech to High-Def: How Popular Tools and Techniques Are Reshaping Lipo

Interested in VASER liposuction?

Find a Doctor Near You

This outpatient procedure can be performed on most areas of the body, including the:

  • abdomen, back, and flanks (aka love handles); treating all of these areas in a single procedure is commonly called VASER lipo 360
  • thighs, calves, and ankles
  • buttocks and hips
  • chest
  • upper arms 
  • neck and under the chin

It can also be an effective treatment for gynecomastia (excess male breast tissue), in cases where the condition is caused by excess fat.

Pros

  • Fat removal is more uniform, with a smoother result that makes VASER a top choice for liposculpture. 
  • The procedure itself is faster and physically easier for surgeons to perform, which may also contribute to a better result. 
  • VASER allows for very precise fat removal and a modest degree of skin retraction, making it a go-to for abdominal etching and 360 high-definition lipo.
  • Its ultrasonic energy is ideal for breaking apart tough, fibrous fat, which can be difficult to remove via traditional liposuction.
  • "VASER liposuction is an excellent tool for revision liposuction or for pockets of scar tissue," according to Dr. Katzen.
  • It's a gentler procedure that results in less swelling and bruising than traditional liposuction, which requires more forceful manual “jabbing” to break up fatty tissue.
  • VASER doesn’t generate as much heat as other energy-assisted forms of liposuction, like laser lipo or Smart Lipo, which makes it safer and less traumatic to tissues.
  • Studies have also shown that there is less blood loss and an easier recovery than with traditional liposuction, notes Dr. Katzen. The nerves and tissue surrounding the treatment area are also less likely to be injured, so recovery time is shorter, with less pain.

Cons

  • It can be more expensive than traditional liposuction. 
  • If VASER liposuction isn’t performed properly, the heat can cause burns. Find a board-certified dermatologic or plastic surgeon who has extensive experience performing VASER lipo and takes the necessary precautions to prevent complications. 
  • Swelling can take three and six months to fully resolve, so while you’ll see an immediate difference, you’ll have to wait to see your final results.

RealSelf Tip: Dr. George Marosan, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Bellevue, Washington, prefers VASER liposuction in most situations because “fat comes out more easily with VASER—especially in men, where it’s more fibrous.” This is especially true in cases of gynecomastia.

  • Average Cost:
  • $6,225
  • Range:
  • $2,800 - $19,000

VASER liposuction costs about $1,200 more than traditional lipo, on average. 

The price difference is even bigger when you compare it to minimally invasive procedures like CoolSculpting, but Dr. Katzen points out that VASER lipo permanently removes far more fat, and results are much more immediate. It's also worth noting that RealSelf reviewers give VASER a 90% Worth It Rating, higher than any noninvasive body contouring treatment.

Your VASER lipo price could be significantly more or less than the average cost, depending on:

  • How many body areas you’re having treated, the amount of fat that needs to be removed, and how long it takes to remove it 
  • Your surgeon’s level of experience
  • Their practice location
  • Whether you have local or general anesthesia (which is more expensive)

Insurance doesn't cover the cost of VASER liposuction or other elective cosmetic surgery procedures, but most plastic surgeons offer payment plans or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.

Interested in VASER liposuction?

Find a Doctor Near You

The VASER liposuction photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Healthy adults who are close to their ideal weight, with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or below and specific areas of unwanted fat, are typically good candidates for VASER liposuction. 

If you’ve recently undergone significant weight loss (including post-pregnancy), it’s a good idea to maintain a consistent weight for six to 12 months prior to any cosmetic surgery. This helps ensure long-lasting results.

It’s also important to have good skin elasticity and tone, to avoid sagging once the underlying fat is removed. “I love VASER, but the technology doesn’t allow for miracles,” says Dr. Armando Soto, a plastic surgeon in Orlando, Florida. “If you have loose, stretchy skin and a loose belly from pregnancy, you will likely need a tummy tuck,” which also removes excess skin. 

During a consultation, your surgeon will assess your skin elasticity. If they have any concerns, they may recommend pairing VASER lipo with a skin tightening procedure. 

Patients with underlying medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, aren’t good candidates.

If you’re a smoker, you’ll need to stop for at least two weeks prior to your surgery and avoid smoking during recovery.

VASER lipo can be performed under general anesthesia (so you’re fully asleep) or local anesthesia with IV sedation (so you’re very relaxed and sleepy, but still technically awake). 

Here’s what to expect:

  • First, a saline-anesthetic-epinephrine mixture, or tumescent solution, is injected directly into the treatment areas. This solution causes the blood vessels to shrink (reducing bleeding and swelling) and the fat to expand, making it easier to remove. It also acts as a “heat sink” to prevent the fat from overheating and helps to control pain.
  • Then the surgeon makes a small incision in the treatment area and inserts a skin protector (a little rubber stopper) before inserting the ultrasound probe into the fatty tissue. Additionally, a wet towel is applied under the skin opening to prevent any contact of the vibrating probe with the skin. 
  • With an easy, violin-playing kind of hand movement, the fat deposits are broken up with ultrasound energy. 
  • The fat is then sucked out via a cannula.

Once you’ve recovered from the anesthesia, you’ll be able to go home. Make sure you have someone who you trust there to get you home safely.

VASER lipo isn’t a skin tightening treatment, but some mild firming is possible. “It does generate some heat, but there have been mixed studies on whether it actually causes any skin tightening,” says Dr. Sieber.

A case series published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2022 looked at 261 patients treated with VASER between 2005 and 2020. The authors concluded that “VASER liposuction allows surgeons to address [the] superficial fat plane and [achieve] enhanced skin tightening.” 

Others characterize the effects as enhanced skin retraction, an ability to adhere to its new contours following fat removal—not true tightening or shrinkage of the tissues.

Miami-based plastic surgeon Dr. Onelia Garcia says patients should temper their expectations for skin tightening results. “In patients with some moderate skin laxity, VASER may allow for better contouring and removal of more fat without making the skin any looser, but it certainly will not tighten it beyond its original condition before surgery. This has been my experience in over 1,000 VASER Lipo procedures over the past 16 years.”

If skin laxity is a concern, plastic surgeons generally combine lipo with a separate tightening procedure, like BodyTite or Renuvion.

As with other forms of liposuction, most people need one to two weeks of downtime after VASER lipo due to swelling, bruising, and soreness. 

Your recovery time will depend on the extent of your plastic surgery procedure. 

  • If you had just your arms or double chin done, your recovery period may only be three to five days. 
  • For VASER 360 lipo of the entire torso, recovery can take up to two weeks.

Most surgeons recommend wearing a surgical compression garment, to control swelling and help shape the treated areas. It can be uncomfortable initially (imagine the tightest shapewear you've ever tried), but it’s easily worn under your clothing for four to six weeks or more.

Some surgeons, including Dr. Marosan, routinely insert small surgical drains after VASER liposuction procedures to prevent fluid build-up and minimize complications like seromas (a pocket of fluid under the skin).

“The more energy one uses during lipo—whether it’s the ultrasound of VASER or the radiofrequency of BodyTite—the more likely it is that one will need a drain, because more fluid is produced from all that energy,” notes Dr. Christian Subbio, a plastic surgeon in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

Still, surgeons have varying opinions on drains for lipo patients. Some never use them, and others use them very selectively.

Related: How Important Are Lymphatic Drainage Massages Post-Lipo? Experts Weigh In

A VASER lipo procedure should not hurt. If you’ve been given only local anesthesia with sedation, you may feel some initial pinching and pressure. Most surgeons prefer patients to be asleep for the cosmetic procedure, particularly for large-volume procedures, so that the patient is totally asleep, still, and comfortable throughout.

Post-procedure, soreness and discomfort is common. “Most people are sore for 7 to 10 days and then turn a corner,” says Dr. Subbio. “A lot of the discomfort associated with lipo has to do with nerve pain.”

Most surgeons prescribe narcotic pain medication for the first few days of recovery. Talk with your provider about the best over-the-counter pain relievers to help keep you comfortable after that.

VASER liposuction results are permanent, so long as you maintain a stable weight. Gaining muscle mass will enhance your results, but weight gain from fat could expand the remaining fat cells in and around the treatment area. This can reverse some of your results and lead to contour irregularities. 

To preserve your results, be prepared to follow healthy lifestyle habits post-surgery.

When performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon, VASER lipo is considered one of safest and most reliably effective liposuction techniques available. But that doesn’t mean it’s without risk. 

Potential complications of VASER liposuction include: 

  • seroma (fluid accumulation under the skin) 
  • skin discoloration in the treated area
  • burns from the ultrasound probe (rare but possible)
  • infection from the incisions (very rare)

Cosmetic issues, like contour irregularities and asymmetry, are also a risk. 

To help avoid complications and poor results, find a board-certified surgeon who has years of experience performing VASER lipo, with a track record of positive patient reviews and an impressive before and after photo gallery.

Worth It Rating90%77%89%
Average Cost$6225$3650$5775
DowntimeUp to 2 weeks of downtimeVaries by procedure3–5 days of downtime
AnesthesiaLocal or general anesthesiaIV sedation or general anesthesiaLocal or general anesthesia

All liposuction surgeries begin with the injection of a tumescent fluid or wetting solution into the treatment area, to control blood loss and help reduce pain following the procedure. Prior to removing the fat, many surgeons use some type of technology to separate it from the surrounding tissue.

Power-assisted liposuction (or PAL) uses rapid vibrations (courtesy of an oscillating handpiece) to break up fat cells without heat, while VASER relies on ultrasonic energy waves to get the job done (and generates some heat in the process).   

“Both PAL and VASER are great modalities for breaking up fat with ease,” explains New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Umbareen Mahmood. She notes that VASER’s heat often makes it preferable for melting stubborn fibrotic fat, but it may require a somewhat longer incision. “If I’m doing PAL, my incision is two to three millimeters—whatever size my cannula is. But the incision site for VASER needs to be slightly larger, to fit a rubber stopper in there to protect the skin from the heat of the cannula.”

Compared to laser liposuction, Dr. Sieber says that “VASER is able to emulsify fat much more rapidly. With a laser, you might be able to treat an area that’s the size of a deck of cards in three to eight minutes. With VASER, you can treat the entire abdominal area in 20 to 30 minutes.”

Another upside to VASER lipo: the extracted fat remains viable for transfer to anywhere you want more fullness, including the face, breasts, or buttocks. Fat that’s liquefied via laser liposuction (like Smart Lipo) isn’t usable.

With laser lipo, which can heat the fat to upwards of 900ºF, some doctors also worry about the risk of burns. “If it's not done right, you can cause third-degree burns,” says Dr. Mahmood. “I see it frequently, especially in medical tourism patients—people come back with a great shape but permanent scars.”

Interested in VASER liposuction?

Find a Doctor Near You

Updated April 21, 2023

0

0

Related stories from RealSelf News

4 Alternatives to a BBL—from Implants to a Sculptra Butt Lift
Liposuction Gone Wrong: 6 Signs of Bad Work and How to Fix Them
My Buccal Fat Removal and Neck Liposuction Before-and-After: What the Experience Was Like and Whether My Results Were Worth It
Liposuction Just Became the Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedure in the World