What is the difference between Vaser and Smart Lipo?

Question

I am looking into having lipo done for my outer thighs (saddlebags). From my consults so far, some doctors are suggesting Vaser Lipo, while others are offering Smart Lipo. What is the main difference? Which is better suited for saddlebags?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring. Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods. The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face. Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra. If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty). Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. Dr. Emer.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience of several thousand cases over years using both, they are similar and offer advantages over traditional liposuction in many body areas.

Smart Lipo uses laser or light to soften fat and tighten skin.

Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound or high frequency sound waves to do the same thing.

For outer thighs, I prefer Vaser. This area is thick and Vaser allows smoother contouring superior to traditional liposuction.

Further discussion with a plastic surgeon who performs Vaser and/or Smart Lipo is recommended until you feel comfortable.

Ray Bayati, MD · Answer

Hello
The technology is different. smart lipo is laser based and Vaser is ultrasound based. I favor Vaser as it does better job and safer.
I do not have any limitations in amount of fat removal while smartlipo is limited. Depends on the client's situation and experience of the phsyician too but If there is an option then Vaser is preferred.
Best

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

VASER Lipo is better suited for removing fat from the thighs and many other areas including the flanks, abdomen, and back. The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Smart liposuction or smart Lipo is trademarked by the cynosure corporation that makes different lasers.

It is a laser assisted Liposuction treatment.

VASER is ultrasound assisted Liposuction.

With both of these forms of Liposuction the actual Liposuction is still traditional Liposuction. Both smart Lipo and VASER rely on a secondary pre-Liposuction treatment either with a laser or ultrasound probe.

In the end the fat is still removed with traditional liposuction using a small stainless steel cannula connected to a vacuum source. This part of Liposuction has never changed.

Does pretreating the fat with an ultrasound probe or a laser make a difference?

My experience with laser liposuction is that it makes virtually zero difference.

VASER can profoundly change the fat removing much more fat in a short period of time. This can be good for the surgeon because it makes the procedure faster.

The problem with VASER is that the surgeon Doesn’t see any of the impact of the ultrasound treatment while doing it. If the ultrasound treatment is done to aggressively or unevenly the surgeon can’t see it while doing the actual ultrasound treatment because it doesn’t remove fat.

Later when the fat is removed it will be removed based on how the ultrasound treatment was done earlier.

This creates a certain level of uncertainty to the procedure.

This is the primary reason why the worst disfigured cases were often done using VASER.

If the settings are too aggressive or the surgeon uses the probe too long or does it in an uneven manner the results will follow later when the fat is removed.

In my experience the worst disfigured Liposuction cases were always done using VASER.

The same device is also used by some of the most brilliant body contouring specialist around the world who deliver consistent high-quality results.

Sufficient fat can be removed with any form of liposuction.

Personally I would always choose the experience and skill including board certification and plastic surgery, of a surgeon over the equipment that they use.

Perhaps the worst combination is an inexperienced surgeon using power devices. It’s a bit like giving a 15-year-old with a drivers permit a Porsche turbo.

In regards to laser it’s pretty much a waste.

One way of viewing the value of this equipment is to see how much they sell for on eBay.

A working first generation VASER will still sell for $20,000.

AFirst generation Cynosure  smart Lipo laser sells for around $600.

Both equipment cost about $100,000 new.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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