Liposuction vs high def liposuction?

Yes there is a difference and I agree with Dr. Emer. The surgeons who refer to this as hype or marketing, obviously do not know this highly specialized technique. Liposuction is a debulking operation, while hi def liposuction is a revealing operation. This is not done on a patient with a BMI>30. This involves using the VASER technology, power X rotating cannula, and specialized suction cannulas. The bottom line, your surgeon's technical ability is most important to deliver the best results. Your surgeon needs to understand the static and dynamic muscle anatomy, how to define negative spaces, bring out muscles, do superficial liposuction at the inscriptions to define the six pack, define the semilunar lines, bring out the obliques, pectoralis muscle and anterior border of the latissimus muscle, the lower back paraspinous muscles, deltoid, triceps depression between the long and medial muscle bellies. So, you can see this is not "just any other liposuction" as claimed by the other respondents. The recovery is longer, requires early lymphatic massage, drainage, compression with foam and close follow up in the clinic. If you interested in this treatment and you are a good candidate, see a board certified plastic surgeon trained in this type of body sculpting. Good luck.

This procedure is not for everyone!  basically the muscle tone is "etched" on th efat via the suction and melting of fat via Vaser and suction.  You need to have a good physique to have excellent result.  regardless lipo helps tremendously for all that have extra pockets of fat and want to look toned.  Experience in this procedure is a must.  Board certification in Cosmetic Surgery is tremendous.  Hope that helps

I find the Best Lipo results are from docs who do tumescent lipo under local and who use the micro canulas and who turn the patients and stand them up during the procedure to fine tune the results. I've not been impressed with any hi-def vaser 4D lipo results and again they do it under general anesthesia and therefore is more risky and costly and painful post op and longer recovery periods for only so-so results in the end.  Just not worth it. In fairness, if your doc does enough lipo procedures with their favorite gimmicky machine, then they can do a good job for you.  

Some studies show that there is less injury to the body with Vaser than with traditional #liposuction. Recovery from Vaser Liposuction is based on the level of soreness and bruising experienced by the patient. But, it can vary among patients. As with traditional liposuction, there are no large incisions  or effect on the muscle and other underlying tissue. Therefore, #healing time may be less than anticipated by most. Therefore, Vaser patients may experience less #pain or discomfort, #swelling (#edema) and bruising post procedure due to the nature of the technique.  There are three types of #Vaser Lipo. Each benefit patients differently depending on their needs. Vaser Lipo is capable of removing fat from resilent areas providing a smoother and slimmer results. It is common for reducing love handles, extra skin along the bra line or flanks on many female patients. Additionally, it is often applied to the reduction of male breast surgeries, called gynecomastia surgery. Meanwhile, Vaser Hi-Def  targets both deep and superficial fat cells which is found around muscle tissue. This is suggested to tone and defined rather than reduce fat when not necessary. Finally, Vaser #4D, although similar to Vaser Hi-Def works well with the existing muscle tissue.. However, it results in more natural appearing definition to those areas, being treated. Vaser 4D is often applied to treating abdominal region to improve definition.  Additionally, it's not uncommon for Vaser Liposuction to combined with fat transfer which removes and transfers fat to another area of the body. It's best to begin consulting with a board certified plastic surgery to learn if you are a candidate for liposuction. If so, you will then learn more about which #technique will work best for you and your goals. It is important you select a plastic surgeon who is #board-certified and has a great deal of experience with #vaser #liposuction. Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision. Always discuss your issues and concerns with the Plastic Surgeon during and following your consultation. Information that you read online may not apply to your personal situation.

My entire practice is multiple VASER hi def liposuction procedures daily (see my IG, youtube, facebook). They are right as the HI DEF portion is just a technique not a tool, although you cannot do this without the VASER device and doing multiple techniques for etching. This type of procedure is much more meticulous and requires skill, expertise and specialized training. Not everyone that does liposution can do this procedure. This IS NOT marketing, this is a real type of procedure that is completely different than traditional liposuction, has much more downtime, more much post operative protocols and healing time, and requires an athletic build to start. The lines created are permanent and any gain or loss of weight (if significant) can change the ultimate look. You should consult a true 4D VASER HI DEF trained expert. I learned from the best person in columbia and have trained and taught all over the world.  This type of procedure can give an athletic look, defined, etched and sculpted unlike any other procedure.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Liposuction is using negative pressure to remove unwanted fat. There may be terms to dress up the description of the operation but it's nothing more than that.

VASER Hi-Def liposuction is one of my passions and I actually pioneered this procedure in the US while also teaching hundreds of other surgeons as well! The science of VASER was a quantum leap in liposuction, liposculpting, and fat grafting technology. It was the first device that took into account and respected those tissues that surround the patients fat cells. 
Functionally there are three layers of fat that can be removed during the liposculpting process.
First, from the sub-dermis, immediately underneath the skin. Fat removal from this area with retention of the connective tissue unloads the skin and for maximal skin tightening and shrinkage. Removal of fat from this area is required if one is going to obtain significant skin tightening during liposuction/liposculpture.
The next layer down is the superficial fat compartment, which can be both reduced during liposuction for more dramatic size reduction, and/or shaped for 3-D and 4-D liposculpting. Again, preservation of the connective tissue and small lymphatics and blood vessels helps minimize tissue trauma while achieving maximal fat removal, along with further skin tightening by vertical contraction of the retained connective tissue.
The last layer is the deep layer which also has the same connective tissue, blood vessel, and lymphatic structures. Left relatively untouched while removing fat, minimizing this layer allows for further vertical skin tightening. Many post-liposuction irregularities and deformities are caused not by uneven fat removal, but uneven connective tissue removal. This is commonly seen with traditional suction-assisted liposuction which rips the fat and connective tissue, lymphatics, and small blood vessels. This means the tissue will be pulled harder down towards the muscle in areas where connective tissue remains and less contracted towards the skin where the connective tissue has been ripped away.
Therefore, one could have an “even” fat removal and an “uneven” connective tissue removal and still heal with deformities and irregularities. The VASER and the special “Atraumatic Cannulas” designed by me significantly reduce this risk.

There is really no technology referred to as high definition liposuction.There's no sex machine etc.It is a term that is used for marketing purposes.Ask such anyone can use the word high-definition liposuction to refer to their work using any form of liposuction.The most common procedure done with the words high definition liposuction is ultrasound assisted liposuction such as VASER done with a technique called etching.Etching is a technique where the fat is not removed in an even fashionInstead it's removed preferentially following contour lines of abdominal muscles.This allows the remaining fat to appear to be volume from excessive abdominal muscles.In the best cases these results can look impressive.In the worst case the results can look like lead to permanent disfigurement that's not correctable.something else to take into consideration if someone is going to undergo etching is the potential implication of future weight gain or skin laxity.Some people referred to aggressive liposuction as high definition liposuction.Regardless it is a marketing term.The talent of the surgeon is by far more important than any marketing term or brand of equipment used.Best,Mats Hagstrom M.D.

I think High definition liposuction is a marketing term and in reality it is the skill of the surgeon that will get you the desired result.  So look for an expert in the field and review photos and fees.Dr. Corbin