Even the most fit, active patients can have frustrations with cellulite, stubborn areas that seem out of proportion with the rest of their bodies, or concerns about body contours. While there have long been lipoplasty procedures that address the removal of larger fat deposits, options for precise contouring and detail work have been limited.

With the FDA-cleared VASERlipo 2.0, I’m not only able to remove larger fat deposits for rapid debulking, but I can also perform detailed procedures to accentuate select body parts, even in delicate and fibrous areas.

The VASERlipo 2.0 System is so gentle that the harvested fat is viable, enabling autologous fat transfer procedures. This gives me a new tool: I can take the fat I remove and use it to add volume to areas of the body deficient in volume, such as augmentation of the buttocks, male pectoral muscles, and even the face.

Gentle ultrasound technology: improved results, better harvested cell viability

VASERlipo is an advanced body contouring procedure that uses gentle ultrasound energy to selectively target and dislodge unwanted fat cells from the tissue matrix, for safe and easy aspiration without damaging important connective tissue.

The gentle energy of VASERlipo helps to maintain fat cell viability of more than 80% for autologous fat transfer. This fatty tissue is reduced to small cell packets, less than 1 mm in size, for a smoother consistency. This small packet size allows for easy revascularization when re-injected, giving more predictable, long-lasting results.

This harvested fat is like liquid gold, opening the doors for more detailed work at the procedure site. I can enhance areas of poorly defined contour or take down areas of excessive contour. I can even use the harvested fat to volumize or contour elsewhere, with long-lasting results. There is no chance of allergic reaction because tissue from the same body is non-allergenic.

Treatment and techniques

The VASERlipo System is a compact, easy-to-maneuver unit, ideal for procedures performed in the office or on an outpatient basis in a surgery center or hospital. VASERlipo can be performed while the patient is awake, or under general anesthesia. The treatment area is filled with a special saline solution that numbs the site and constricts blood vessels while temporarily expanding the volume of the area. Using a series of thin probes, ultrasound energy dislodges the fat cell while preserving the surrounding tissue.

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

Specially designed suction tubes remove the emulsified fluids using precise suction pressure. As gentler suction influences the viability of harvested fat, I can monitor suction levels on the digital display to prevent damage and preserve the integrity of the fat for later use in grafting.

VASERlipo System offers a wide range of probes and cannulas to meet each physician’s specific contouring needs and ergonomic preferences. Solid titanium probes come in four different diameters with varying groove patterns to best treat a wide variety of body contouring scenarios, giving me many tools in my sculpting toolbox.

A broader range of applications with VASERlipo 2.0

The VASERlipo System can handle a broad range of treatment areas, from larger-scale debulking in the hips, waist, thighs, back, buttocks and arms, to more detailed sculpting of the abdomen, ankles, chin and face. Because the gentle ultrasound energy reduces the damage to the surrounding tissue matrix, there is less postoperative pain and bruising, and faster patient recovery.

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

I’ve been using the VASERlipo System in my practice for more than 6 years, and was extremely happy with the procedure compared with traditional lipoplasty. Last year, I upgraded to the newest version of the system: VASERlipo 2.0.

One of the new applications with VASERlipo 2.0 is VASERsmooth. The VASERsmooth handpiece and probes are specifically designed for the challenges of working with hardened fibrous septae. The fragmentation edge of the VASERsmooth probe can be used to strategically cut through hardened fibrous septae responsible for unwanted skin dimpling and the irregular skin appearance.

Continuing education leads to improved results

I have always sought to learn the most that I can from experts in my field through fellowships and continuing education. In conjunction with the upgrade to VASERlipo 2.0, I traveled to Colombia to learn new VASER Hi-Def sculpting techniques from Dr Alfredo Hoyos, a master in the field. Dr Hoyos opened my eyes to the true versatility and capability of the VASERlipo 2.0, resulting in a dramatic acceleration in my learning curve.

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

(A) Before and (B) after VASERlipo to the abdomen, flanks and inner thighs, with fat grafts to the buttocks and hips. (Images courtesy of Mark D. Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.)

With VASER Hi-Def techniques I can now create a sculpted, athletic appearance by selectively removing fat around muscle groups to give a more defined appearance. The techniques that I learned deliver results that are light years ahead of what I was able to do previously.

Safe and effective procedures = referrals from happy patients

More than 350000 VASERlipo procedures have been performed worldwide, with low complication rates. In my practice, my patients have seen excellent results, with hardly any adverse reactions. I’m also seeing better first-time results: improved skin retraction, smooth contours in all body areas, and much less bruising and discomfort.

There is no better compliment than a patient referral. My patients have always been happy with the results that could be achieved with the VASERlipo System, but since the upgrade to VASERlipo 2.0 and my training in Bogota, I’ve seen a dramatic increase in patient referrals. My patients are sending in friends and family members to try VASERlipo for themselves. I’m extremely pleased with what the VASERlipo 2.0 system has been able to do for both my patients and my practice.