Liposuction, liposelection, vaser, slim lipo, smart lipo, liposculpting

Marketing and trickery. It shouldn't be part of medicine and plastic surgery, but it is.  Many "plastic surgeons" are not trained as surgeons at all.  But that is part of another answer on what to look for in a doctor.

Ultrasonic and laser use energy to melt fat.  They do so in different ways, but the effect is the same.  They help break up fibrous fat.  Vaser and UAL are ultrasonic energy.  Slim lipo and Smart lipo are lasers.  All liposuction involves liposuction and remoal of the fat. And all use "tumnescent" which is infusing fluid into the tissue before doing liposuction to cut down on blood loss and give anesthesia.

Liposelection, liposculpture, microliposuction...are all marketing terms used to try to form artificial "distinctions" between practicioners.

So what do you need to know?

1. WHO is doing your liposuction? What is their training? Find out by what Board they are certified.  True plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I have seen women with the wrong surgery because the doctor couldn't do a tummy tuck, so did liposuction on inappropriate patients.

2. WHAT technique do they do and why? I believe you need some form of energy to help break up fibrous fat to create a smooth result.

Find an honest surgeon who isn't trying to sell you a surgery.  Marketing should have little place in medicine.

I have been very impressed by the improved results using the Vaser Liposelection system.  So much so that I have not used "traditional" liposuction in years.  That is not to say that traditional lipo is not worth using.  I get what I consider, and patients consider, to be superior results with Vaser.  Other plastic surgeons prefer the more traditional technique and are pleased with their results. 

To answer your question:

-Liposuction is the removal of fat using a suction system

-Liposelection is the term used by Sound Surgical, the company that makes the Vaser.  Ultrasound is used to emulsify the fat prior to aspirating it.

-Liposculpture is the technique of performing more superficial liposuction to better define muscles under the skin.

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