What is the difference between Vaser and Smart Lipo?

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

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