How worthwhile is manual lipo with the syringe/needle technique only - no machine?

Hi, thank you for your question. In my experience, liposuction is more effective with the use of ancillary technology. The results are simply more optimal. Before agreeing to surgery at this clinic, I would consult with more than one other board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options - for your particular goal and budget. I hope this helps. Best of luck! 

Non surgical options give only mild improvement compared to surgical lifting. Skin tightening can be done with a combination of vanquish, venus legacy, exilis, celllutone/Zwave. I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. expert. 
Best, Dr. Emer

Hi moneyfixeseverything,A limited amount of fat can be removed by hand if you consider surgeon fatigue as a factor.  Many devices assist the removal by fractionating the fat and breaking up the connective tissue/fibroseptal network before liposuction.  Use of "machines" is thus valuable in removing fat evenly with less bruising/trauma (that may arise from doing lipo manually/vigorously). Certain body parts (back, men's chest, brafat/posterior chest, etc) are more fibrous and results of manual liposuction will be limited. Please consider having other consults to understand the results that can be obtained with and without "machines".  Best wishes, Dr. Doolabh

Thank you for your question. There are various liposuction techniques. I would advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon for a detailed examination to discuss all possible treatment options and what your expectations are. 

Thank you for your question. You do not state where is the fat transfer being placed. Face? breasts? buttocks? It makes a lot of difference. If they told you 1-2 hours, I assume it is fat transfer to the face. I use the syringe technique for fat collection to the face, since this is a relatively small amount (20-50cc) and can be done under local anesthesia only. Major liposuction should be done under sedation if fat is transferred to the other areas.A word of caution. You do not want to be the first in a clinic just starting out offering a "new" procedure, most likely at a reduced rate. Get consultations with board certified plastic surgeons to be properly evaluated, who can show you results (greater than 6 months-1 year), can educate you on expectations, complications and their treatments, etc. Good luck.

Dear moneyfixeseverything,
I would suggest you to avoid "new" techniques, especially if there are no before-after photos. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your question. My biggest question is if the provider performing the procedure is a board-certified plastic surgeon. I highly recommend having your procedure performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. The technique used for liposuction truly does not matter in the hands of a good board-certified plastic surgeon. That being said, handheld suction with manual transfer has been around for over 30 to 40 years. It is not something new. Before and after photos are a must unless it is a new technology,  innovation,  or procedure. Best of luck with your procedure

When a clinic offers a "new" procedure and has NO before and after photographs to show you.  Stand up from your chair and run, not walk, out of that clinic.  This is a disaster waiting to happen.  Please consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs body contouring procedures frequently and will show you hundreds, if not thousands, of before and after photographs of liposuction patients that the surgeon has performed.  Good Luck!

I would first and foremost question the background of the provider if they don’t have proper equipment. It’s certainly possible to harvest fat in small quantities using a syringe. If you’re primarily looking for liposuction results then this is not an appropriate technique. If someone needs a few cc of fat to graft in the face or lips for example harvesting with a syringe is a reasonable approach. If someone’s looking for abdominal liposuction or breast fat transfer then this is not an appropriate approach and you should get a second opinion.You should probably just get a second opinion anyway.The equipment is less important than the skill and training of the provider. A competent ethical well trained provider will simply have the equipment they need to do their job correctly.I suggest confirming the provider is a board-certified plastic surgeon and if not consult with someone who is.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD

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