Smart Lipo vs Vaser Lipo. Does the amount of pain depend on how much fat is removed? (Photo)

Hi Lulu. You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. Traditional liposuction and Smart Lipo are old methods that do very poorly for tightening skin or 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 heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. For a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), we inject the fat into 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 a combination of Cellfina, 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: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin. Considering the extensive nature of a Hi-Definition Liposuction procedure, there is far less pain that one might anticipate. Typically, patients experience some pain in the first 24 to 72 hours. We provide our patients with a comprehensive medication and aftercare protocol to assist with pain management and to accelerate healing.
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. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question. Since pain is a subjective issue, the amount of discomfort you experience after your procedure will be difficult to predict. I can assure you that the less invasive methods of liposculpture tend to cause less pain and require shorter recovery times than traditional lipo treatments. However, some discomfort is normal after any surgical procedure. I prescribe pain medication and compression garments to my patients immediately following their procedure to ensure they are as comfortable as possible during the early portion of the recovery process. If you are concerned about your comfort level, discuss your fears with your doctor. There may be additional steps you can take to reduce potential pain further. Good luck to you!

I routinely perform both vaser and smart lipo on patients and can say that both patients with smart/vaser lipo can have pain post procedure.  Pain is very subjective, some patients will bounce back right away while others continue to have discomfort for several days. Laser and Vaser are both used to break down adipose tissue and fibrous tissue, the method of fat removal (traditional lipo vs PAL) also plays a role in post op soreness.  You are correct, a patient who has 5L of volume removed will likely be more sore than someone who has 0.5L removed regardless of vaser/laser utilized.

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Augmented liposuction with laser or ultrasonic energy involves partial liquefaction of the fat, making removal somewhat less difficult for the surgeon. The trauma to the tissue is the same.  Pain after liposuction is related to the aggressiveness of the liposuction and the number of areas treated.
Find an experienced liposuction plastic surgeon. The type of liposuction utilized is less important than the experience of the surgeon behind the cannula.
Best wishes...

Smartlipo uses a small fiberoptic laser fiber which melts fat, which is then liposuctioned away. I have done almost 900 cases in the office, under local, usually with oral sedation (though some patients don't want any oral sedation and they do fine). Most patients experience only a mild amount of discomfort. many don't take any narcotics post op and those that need them, usually only need them for 1-2 days. Vaser uses sound waves/ultrasonic which i believe most people find much more uncomfortable. When I have done ultrasonic liposuction, i have always done it under general anesthesia and these patients are much more uncomfortable. this is why, I have switched almost entirely to doing Smartlipo rather than ultrasonic. However, you should also realize that pain is very subjective and everyone feels and experiences things differently.david berman md