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Vaser Smart Lipo

Is the Vaser lipo better than the Smart lipo system? Can someone tell me what's the difference and what type usually works best for getting rid of fat around the belly and chest?

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Which is the better choice? Vaser vs. Smart-Lipo?

There are a number of invasive and non-invasive techniques and techologies for treating unwanted fat. It is initally important that the surgeon and the patient first agree on the aesthetic goal, and then discuss the benefits, realiastic outcomes, and complications of each technique. While some surgeons accomplish wonderful and consistent results with one technique, another surgeon may reach the same endpoint with a different approach. It is in the patient's best interest to suggest, and not... more

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Jeffrey D. Hoefflin, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

+14

Better is in the eye of the beholder

Hi! I'm not sure if it is possible to say one technology is "better" than another. However, here are some useful points to consider (and bear in mind that I have tried them both in my practice): The VASER uses ultrasound energy, which when properly applied to the tissues, is highly specific for fatty tissue emulsification. This means that nerves, blood vessels, and skin are at low risk of injury—a great benefit. The blood supply to the skin and other tissues is minimally... more

Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

+12

Vaser Lipo, otherwise known as Liposelection, uses low...

Vaser Lipo, otherwise known as Liposelection, uses low frequency ultrasound waves to emulsify fat and tighten skin. The procedure may be performed in the office under a local anesthetic and involves three steps: Tumescent anesthesia is applied witth a gentle pump that slowly infiltrates Lidocaine with Epinephrine and saline to freeze the area involved. A small ultrasound probe is then inserted into the area to emulsify the fat. All of the fat is aspirated and permanently removed from the... more

Emmanuella Joseph, MD

Decatur Plastic Surgeon

Vaser vs. Smart Lipo in Raleigh NC

The explosion in medical aesthetic technology has resulted in a market that is literally flooded with new products, devices and procedures, like Smart Lipo, all claiming to be the ‘latest and greatest’ or the ‘next big thing’. A great deal of dedication (and caution!) is required to sort through all of the new (and often not-so-new) technology which is marketed simultaneously to aesthetic professionals and to the public. I have not seen a single study that... more

Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

One liposuction device does not always fit all

Vaser is a type of ultrasound assisted liposuction while Smartlipo is laser assisted liposuction. Both systems are ways of getting rid of unwanted fat deposits. They work very differently. With Vaser, soundwaves are used to break up fat. With Smartlipo, laser light is used to destroy the fat. Just like both a helicopter or a plane can be used to travel to different places, either of these technologies can get you to the same endpoint. Ultrasound is usually utilized for removal of larger... more

Evan Sorokin, MD

Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Smart Lipo not actually so smart!

Smart Lipo is just a marketing term for laser assisted liposuction. I don't use Smart Lipo because there are no convincing studies that show its advantages. I think it has potential disadvantages because the laser introduces a new source of energy with a potential for complications. Vaser Lipo is indeed one of the useful forms of liposuction which can be used. The important thing is to individualize and use the technique that will benefit the particular patient. The other point to... more

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

VASER v. Smart Lipo

VASER liposuction uses ultrasound to emulsify the fat. Smart Lipo uses a laser through a fiberoptic cable to melt the fat. These are clearly very different technologies and therefore have very different uses. I don't think the question is which technology is better, but rather which is better for you? What areas would you like to treat? How much volume would you like to have removed? What kind of tissue do you have and how is the quality of the overlying skin? These are the important... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Liposuction by any other name...

Vaser lipo and Smartlipo are two different twists on traditional liposuction. Vaser uses ultrasound to emulsify fat, while Smartlipo uses a tiny laser cannula (hollow tube) to break up fat and (supposedly) tighten overlying skin. I am not aware of any study showing that either of these methods is MORE effective at fat reduction than traditional liposuction. No form of liposuction does significant skin tightening, so if your problem is loose skin, liposuction in any form is probably not... more

Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

VASER liposelection for most applications; Laser Lipo for necks, arms and small fat deposits

Like traditional liposuction (SAL - suction assisted lipectomy), both procedures begin with placement of a TUMESCENT filling solution of Adrenaline and a local anesthetic (to reduce bleeding and pain) into the fat. The fat is then treated with either ultrasound waves (VASER) or Certain wavelengths of laser and then the treated areas are suction vacuumed, removing the loose fatty fluid. VASER Liposuction / Liposelection (UAL) - high frequency sound waves shake and selectively break up the... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Smart lipo is smart as a marketing tool

I have used both Smart Lipo and VASER. Both accomplish the same end i.e. emulsifying fat cells to make them easier to remove. I routinely use VASER because I've had good results with this process. Smart Lipo uses laser light which converts the heat to melt the fat and VASER uses ultrasonic sound waves which converts to heat to melt the fat. Both procedures are useful in areas where fat is more difficult to remove because it tends to be more fibrous. These include the back, and saddlebag... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

VASER Lipo vs SmartLipo - It depends

As the many others answers here have outlined, they use different types of energy to break down fat cells. Each has their relative benefits - see my answer on SmartLipo vs Tradional Lipo. In many cases any technique can provide good results. I use both devices according to the patients specific needs and will frequently use both devices in the same patient based on the characteristics of the area I am treating. Ultimately the results depend more on the experience, skill, and training of the... more

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Braden Stridde, MD

Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Vaser vs. Smartlipo vs. traditional liposuction

Vaser, Smartlipo and traditional liposuction are all excellent techniques for body shaping, and I use all three techniques in my practice. The Vaser device uses ultrasound energy to break up fat prior to removal of the fat with traditional liposuction technique and the Smartlipo device does the same using laser energy. Which is best for you should be determined by a Plastic Surgeon familiar with each device after examining you. The most important thing to remember, however,... more

John K. Wakelin III, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

They are two very different technologies. Vaser uses...

They are two very different technologies. Vaser uses ultrasonic technology to emulsify the fat. Because it generates heat during the procedure, it is thought to possibly cause skin contraction as well. Smartlipo uses laser light to emulsify the fat and also uses laser light to heat the skin to possibly tighten it as well. Smartlipo is a very slow process with the technology that is currently available.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Advantages of SmartLipo combined with Vaser - Why choose only one?

For almost four years, I have been combining laser fat contouring (SmartLipo) with Vaser Ultrasonic Lipo-selection, and I appreciate the consistent results. I use the SmartLipo device (a small laser fiber just below the surface of the skin) to smooth the surface fat and to tighten the skin with the heat from the laser. The Vaser Ultrasound does a thorough job of breaking up the dense fat, esp., the fibrous fat around the torso. By using each tool to its... more

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Vaser and Smartlipo are Different!

Vaser uses sound waves to break up the fat. Smartlipo uses a tiny laser to vaporize fat and tighten skin. They have different uses so it is not that one is "better" than another. One may be better for YOU than the other but you will have to ask a doctor that does both which would work better on your body.

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Daryl K. Hoffman, MD

Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Vaser and SmartLipo differences

Many surgeons do not have the knowledge or experience with much of the newer technology, and therefore may not be providing unbiased answers. The latest SmartLipo Triplex, which has been available only since November of 2009, utilizes three separate wavelengths; 1440 nm which liquefies fat (40 times more affinity to fat than other laser on the market ) by what is called the photo-acoustic effect (without heat ). The second is 1320 nm which is primarily absorbed by water and is used to... more

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Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Properly performed traditional liposuction in the hands...

Properly performed traditional liposuction in the hands of a skilled surgeon remains the gold standard. Many other technologies have been developed and have not been scientifically proven to be better. The advertising mantras about enhancing skin shrinkage etc. are just part of the hype used to "sell" these new techniques. Clever names like "Smartlipo" don't mean they are better. Remember, if your skin lacks good elasticity and if you are too overweight, you will be... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Is VASER Lipo better than SmartLipo?

A few months ago I would have said, "no." But the new 5th generation SmartLipo TriPlex is the new technology to beat, specifically for skin tightening. The VASER is a great tool and I love it. I still have it and use it. VASER can't be beat if you want to do a fat transfer such as a Brazilian Butt Lift as part of the lipo procedure. But if the patient is over 40, often you want to see some significant skin shrinkage and the SmartLipo TriPlex is the tool that achieves it better... more

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